Wholesaler Lock-In Mechanisms

A pal of mine is a purchasing expert. I know. How could I possibly cavort with the enemy 🙂 and even more amazingly, he was once a rep.

We chatted about what people involved in a particular project I was working on (helping to ensure sales of cotton-related products) could do to create a more resilient supply chain. This was especially pertinent as demand outstrips supply, thus raising the power of input suppliers.

I noted that many of the elements he talked about could be readily adapted for a kind of wholesale environment. Here’s a brief list that could well trigger ideas for ways in which anyone selling can tie-in their customers closer:

• Consignment stock
• Bar code labelling
• Utilising customer stock reference numbers over manufacture references
• Blending supplier with customer system and processes
• Single monthly invoicing
• Rebate rewards
• Invoice settlement benefit
• Purchase card pre-authorised expenditure
• Project pricing/invoicing
• Contractor packs
• Mod kits
• Pre-assemblies