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Convenience stores and grocery store chains today depend solely on c-store distributors and wholesale distributors to bring in products. But, how do you get a product into these distributors? You can call them directly, email them or set-up a meeting. A couple of great sources are www.cstoredistributors.com and www.wholesalegrocersdirectory.com. And if you are looking for convenience store and grocery store chain buyer’s, checkout www.cstoredirectory.com. The old convenience stores found around dusty roadsides with gas stations have now morphed into well stocked multi-specialty stores providing customers with a vast range of items. These stores now stock both perishable and nonperishable items of everyday use that can be stored or consumed like food products and beverages along with durables like torches, cleaning detergents, stationery and others. Now retailers like c-stores and grocery chain stores are using their shop floors as locations for product launches by convenience store brokers and manufacturers who contact them directly.
Why getting your product into convenience stores is critical
Recent reports state that convenience stores today serve more than 150 million customers on a daily basis which provides a platform with enormous possibilities for manufacturers of beverages, food products, stationery and other products of general convenience. In view of these possibilities it is imperative to work out an inexpensive strategy about how to get your food product into convenience store. With the large shopper traffic walking into convenience stores it is essential to use this platform to successfully sell your products through wholesale distributors, food distributors or through grocery wholesale distributor and food brokers if you are a manufacturer of food and beverages.
Importance of selling beverages through convenience stores
Both hot and cold beverages are the fastest selling products within a convenience store and nearly one third of its overall sales are contributed by beverage sales. Beverage distribution is generally done by manufacturers themselves or specialized distributors. As of latest records about convenience stores in 2012 there are nearly 149,220 stores around the nation which provide a huge market as nearly 1100 customers are available in every location on a daily basis. Majority of new beverages are now given by manufacturers directly for sampling and display to convenience stores and grocery store chains to create a market for them in local and nationwide markets.
Getting your products into grocery store distributors and convenience store brokers can be done by working with specialized programs which can help display your product at several stores across the nation which are members of these programs.
Checkstand Program – The Fast Track to Get Your Product into Convenience Stores and Gas Stations.
This is an association which facilitates convenience store distribution by getting your products into sales counters of 200 to nearly 5000 stores when a manufacturer signs up as an affiliate with them. Their program increases volumes for manufacturers by testing their products at various locations and getting orders within days of product launch as distribution is managed by this distributor group. Manufacturers are saved from the trouble of visiting several grocery stores and convenience stores in their area for conducting demonstration about product and trying to build relationship with distributors to get their products across state boundaries.
When a manufacturer works with Checkstand Program they take the responsibility of distributing and promoting your products to all single c-stores and grocery stores and also c-store chains and grocery store chains. The manufacturer can rest assured that the cost of this kind of promotional campaign will cost them only $10 per store within their list along with a free display per store. If the product is accepted positively by the customers then it will be automatically be reordered by their network of c store distributors.
While these distributors can help get your product into retail stores through minimum effort it cannot assure constant sales if product does not interest buyers. Manufacturer must always remember that their product has replaced another one on the shelf of a convenience store and constant innovation is required to keep up with new products in the market. To make it attractive for distributors and brokers to sell the product and promote it over others, manufacturers have to provide better discounts on bulk purchases.
Logistics are a vital part of any product distribution channel whether it is for distribution of food products or convenience items. Wholesale distributors work to guarantee the flow of goods to independent grocery and convenience stores along with chain stores of this type by absorbing a few financial risks of transportation and delivery. Manufacturers who cannot afford to sell their products through these distribution agencies can engage the services of a wholesale specialist as they have good knowledge of market and can make an unknown product a bestseller through their sources within convenience store industry.