How To Find The Right Wholesale Food Distributor

Posted by Wholesale Food Group on December 7th, 2021

Top wholesale food suppliers are business owners that buy products from manufacturers or producers and sell them to other businesses. Wholesalers do not operate a store. They supply your business with inventory that you sell to your customers. Whether you run an e-commerce store, a restaurant or a hotel, food wholesalers play a very important role in connecting store owners with manufacturers. 

As a restaurant or small business owner, you can work with one or several wholesalers. But finding the right wholesaler to work with can be tricky. You will need to find a wholesale distributor that has affordable prices, connects you with manufacturers and products you need, serves your geographic location and is trustworthy, reliable and easy to work with. 

Before finding the right wholesaler to work with, you should know what products you want to sell. Once you know what you are looking for, you can start searching for the right food wholesaler to supply your small business. 

Know the distribution channels in your industry 

There are a lot of ways products can go from manufacturers to retailers. Different wholesalers serve the same market. Knowing the distribution channels in your industry can help you get the right supplier for your online or retail business. We have different types of wholesalers including exclusive distributors/importers, manufacturers, jobbers and wholesalers/regional distributors. 

Some retailers and restaurant owners move enough volumes to bypass jobbers. Each industry has unique distribution channels which may vary by region, product or country. 

Try the manufacturer 

Paying wholesale food suppliers will cut your profits. You can remove the middlemen from the equation by talking to manufacturers. However, this technique does not always work if you don’t have the resources. Wholesalers have distribution channels and vehicles to ensure food products reach you on time. If you bypass them, you should have the means to transport the products from manufacturers. If you don’t have the means, you will end up paying more than you are trying to save on transportation and the intensive labour required to transport your products. 

Have the right first contact with wholesalers 

You should start contacting wholesalers, either using the list you have from the manufacturer, a wholesale directory or phonebook listings. You need to find out their wholesale unit prices, their minimum order requirements and the region they supply. 

The initial contact can be made by email or phone. You can then follow up by phone if you require more information. To find the best match for your business, you should be honest about what you are looking for and do not try to sound larger than you are. Do not be afraid to let the people you talk to know you are researching and looking at other competitors. This will help you get cheaper prices. 

Get specific in your online searches 

When searing for top wholesale food suppliers, do not just search for general distributors or wholesalers. You should include keywords from your niche or products. You need to try model numbers, product names, and brand names.