Successful retailers know that to survive the competitive marketplace out that exists today means more than just offering great products. Profit margins are tighter, taxes are higher and consumers savvier than ever before. Where you get your product is more important than ever before. Let us go over the vocabulary of the different types of companies retailers can buy from: Wholesaler: Wholesalers are companies that buy large quantities of product whether in a variety categories such as cosmetics, jewelry, smoking products or they will offer a wider range of general merchandise. Some wholesalers specialize in specific types of retailers such as smoke shops, convenience stores, or gift shops. Products can be sold in many different ways – rarely in singles, more often in pallets. Manufacturers: Manufacturers are producers of goods or wares by manual or machine labor. Sometimes manufacturers will offer retailers and other sellers their products at wholesale or at times below wholesale prices especially if you are willing to buy larger quantities of product or if they are a smaller manufacturer. Often manufacturers will have minimum order amounts that you must meet in order to buy from them. Importers: Importers are companies that bring goods and wares from overseas to the country where the retailer is. Importers handle all the difficulties of bringing product and shipping so retailers do not have to. They often specialize in specific groups of products such as house wares, fashion accessories, or novelties. When ordering from importers, retailers need compare the cost of buying product from overseas manufacturers themselves versus buying from an importer. With globalization purchasing product from overseas manufacturers and wholesalers has become more common place as foreign companies will have set shipping costs and take care of much of paperwork that importers had to...depending on the type of product you purchase. Distributors: Distributors are companies that are engaged in distribution or marketing of a product or class of products. Many times distributors have exclusive rights to market a product within a given area. Deals can often be made with distributors for lower shipping cost or no minimum orders. There are also other sellers such as liquidators and auctioneers which retailers can turn to for product. How does a retailer find the best source for product? There are many ways to find product. Often a few months after opening their store, a retailer will be marketed to in many ways. Catalogs, phone calls from agents and email offers to name a few. Trade shows are a great way to meet a variety of B2B companies, meet with other retailers and learn from experts. Now with everyone being online, retailers can source product easily from their computer or phone. GetThatWholesale.com is the leading directory of business to business listings with over 5000 wholesalers, manufacturers, importers and distributors. Some factors to keep in mind when looking at B2B companies for product: Do they offer the ease of online ordering? Do they offer price breaks for large orders? Where do they ship from and how quick can they get product to you? Shipping costs and options for shipping need to be clearly understood. 5.How good is their customer service? Can you reach them when you need to? Make a list of what you want from your experience with company you will be buying product from. With some research and time you will find the best sources of product for your store.