Those in the dollar store business know locating the best merchandise involves dealing with several vendors.
While some suppliers are focused on providing general merchandise, others are specialists on specific items.
Another group of suppliers who are gaining more attention are closeout and liquidation companies.
These suppliers have recognized the positive impact that dollar stores can have on their total annual sales.
As a result they are working to locate more of the items that meet the needs of their new found customers.
In this article I present 6 expectations of closeout suppliers when you own a dollar store.
Be sure you don't ever settle for less than these expectations in your dealings! #1) They must be reliable.
When you own a dollar store there's just plain too much at stake to deal with suppliers who don't put you and your business first.
Don't work with suppliers who make you wait days for returned phone calls or that leave loaded pallets sitting on their dock for days or weeks at a time before finally shipping.
#2) The products they sell must fit your needs.
It doesn't matter how great the deal, if the products are not perfectly suited to you shoppers, keep looking.
You have not found the right closeout or liquidation supplier for your business.
#3) They must offer competitive pricing on all the products they sell.
A store merchandise supplier fails to meet your needs if they don't offer low pricing on the products they sell.
#4) This is a time when supplier location does matter to you.
Be sure they are located close enough that freight costs won't ruin what would otherwise be an outstanding deal.
Since many of your purchases will be by the pallet, and often multiple pallets, this is a very important consideration when examining every potential supplier.
#5) Stable product availability.
The nature of the liquidation and closeout business is one of great variation in product availability.
One day the perfect dollar store merchandise will be available, and the next morning they will be sold out.
Some of these suppliers are positioned to provide additional product within a reasonable timeframe.
It may come from the companies they work with, or they may be part of a network that allows them to search and locate similar items quickly.
#6) Easy to deal with.
The last thing you want or need is a dollar store merchandise supplier who doesn't provide outstanding customer service.
Make sure the suppliers you work with appreciate the importance of you and your business.
Make sure they work to remove barriers - and that they do everything possible to make dealing with them a pleasant and profitable experience.
To your dollar store success!