How Do I Find Wholesale Suppliers in the UK?

Wholesale suppliers are enterprises that purchase goods from manufacturers and sell them to other enterprises. Wholesalers do not operate stores. Instead, they supply small enterprises with inventory that they sell to consumers. Whether you operate an e-commerce store or a physical shop, wholesale suppliers play a vital role in connecting business owners to the manufacturer of the products they sell. Therefore, many retailers ask, how do I find wholesale suppliers in the U.K?

As a retailer, you can work with one or several wholesale suppliers. Yet, it can be tricky to find the right wholesale distributor to partner with. If you are wondering, how do I find wholesale suppliers in the U.K, you should find a distributor that can do the following:

●    Can connect you with the manufacturers of the products your business needs.
●    Sells products at affordable prices.
●    Is trustworthy, easy to work with, and reliable.
●    Serves your geographic location.

Before you can find a suitable wholesale distributor to work with, you must know which products you want to sell. When you know what you are searching for, you can look for the right wholesale supplier. Here are useful tips for finding U.K. wholesale suppliers.
 

1.  Know your industry’s distribution channels  

A product can go from the manufacturer to the retailer in various ways. Wholesalers serve different markets. When you understand your industry’s supply chain and distribution channels, you can find it easier to locate a suitable wholesale supplier for your business. Various kinds of wholesalers include the following:

 ●    Jobbers: These businesspeople deliver products daily to local brick-and-mortar stores and grocers.
●    Exclusive Distributor/Importer: A firm may have the sole importation and distribution right to a product in a particular country. Some companies might sell products directly to retailers. Others sell the goods to smaller local wholesalers who then sell to retail stores.
●    Regional Distributor/Wholesaler: These are regional wholesalers who take deliveries to boxcar-sized lots and then sell to local wholesalers. The wholesalers then sell the products to local enterprises.
●    Manufacturers: Retailers can buy some products directly from the manufacturers. For instance, boutique stores usually purchase products from small manufacturers, including those owned by one individual. 

Some retailers buy enough goods to bypass jobbers. In smaller industries, importers can sell directly to the retailers. All industries have unique distribution channels that can differ by region, product, or country.

When you first start as a retailer, you will purchase products from smaller wholesalers at higher costs. When your volume gradually increases, you can get better pricing or move up the supply ladder to larger wholesalers.

Some retailers buy enough goods to bypass jobbers. In smaller industries, importers can sell directly to the retailers. All industries have unique distribution channels that can differ by region, product, or country.

When you first start as a retailer, you will purchase products from smaller wholesalers at higher costs. When your volume gradually increases, you can get better pricing or move up the supply ladder to larger wholesalers.

2.  First try the manufacturer

Your profits are reduced when you buy goods from wholesalers. You can begin at the source to eliminate middlemen from the equation. If you usually sell branded products, you can go directly to the product’s manufacturer. Request the product’s sample so you can inspect its quality to ensure it is something you wish to sell. The manufacturer may sell some products to you based on their minimum order requirements. If you cannot meet the minimum order requirements, or the manufacturers only sell through established distribution channels, request them to give you a list of reputable wholesale suppliers you can contact. Regarding supply chains, when more steps are involved, there are more links present. At times, this is called “margin stacking,” where every business linked with the supply chain takes some part of the profit. When you go through fewer people, your costs can be lower, and you can make more profits.

3.  Contact U.K. wholesale suppliers for product shipping

Are you wondering how do I find wholesale suppliers in the U.K? If so, start contacting wholesale distributors by either using the list you got from the manufacturer, a wholesale directory, or phonebook listings. The things you must find out include:

●    The regions they supply.
●    The minimum order requirements
●    The wholesale unit prices.

You can contact wholesale suppliers initially through email or phone and follow them up later through the phone to get additional information. To find the right wholesaler based on your business, remain honest about what you are seeking, and do not try to make it sound larger than it is. Also, feel free to inform the individuals you are speaking with that you are performing research and comparing competitors too. This way, you can get better prices, even if you are a small retailer.

4.  Be specific when doing online searches

5. Check major business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces

6.  Join professional networks like forums and industry groups

The more experienced retailers in your niche or industry can be a great source of information regarding wholesalers. Yet, some retailers might not be eager to provide competitors with supplier information. Therefore, invest time in networking to build connections and trust to help you find suitable wholesale suppliers for your business.

Online forums can be a good source of information. By participating in the forums, you can get advice from other individuals with experience in your industry or market. You can also build your professional connections by subscribing to industry newsletters, building your LinkedIn profile, and joining small business networking groups to build professional connections. 

7.  Attend trade shows

Trade shows can help you build and grow your business. They are meant for retailers to connect with manufacturers and distributors. Trade shows are exhibitions where distributors, manufacturers, and wholesale dealers showcase their products. Retailers attend the events to learn about new products and create connections with wholesale distributors. When you have time, attending a trade show can enable you to vet many different products in person. Furthermore, the representatives from every wholesale supplier can answer your questions. Every industry has a trade show. You can search for upcoming trade shows in your area online by date, industry, event name, or state.  

Conclusion