Ensure the supply of electronic cigarette shops

Supply is essential for any business. And in the electronic cigarette sector, wholesalers are often the link between resellers and manufacturers. In addition to the fact that the wholesaler ensures the deliveries of products, he must also manage his own stock and favor the allotment in order to avoid shortages for its customers. Without a regular and rapid supply, a shop can quickly lose its customers and therefore close, the wholesaler represents a strong link in this chain and must be able to supply the retailers in all circumstances. Here is a zoom on the supply of shops in three basic points.

Delivery and goodwill

When we talk about supply, we obviously think of delivery. Because indeed, without delivery a shop can hardly be restocked! A wholesaler must therefore be able to offer easy and fast delivery so that retailers can receive their order as soon as possible. This is also a service in its own right because if the wholesaler can choose to make the deliveries himself, he can also delegate this phase to another specialized organization.

Delivery times are also an important point. We have an express delivery option that ensures 24 to 48 hours that allow delivery very quickly. This is a real advantage for wholesalers. Indeed, in a sector like that of the electronic cigarette, the material is mainly made in China. If retailers turn directly to the manufacturer, delivery times will be much longer, ranging from a few weeks to a whole month. The wholesaler, on the other hand, buys from the manufacturer and resells the stock to the retailer, the delivery times are therefore much more advantageous as is the price because in this case, customs clearance and import costs are absorbed.

In any case, delivery is a fundamental point not to be overlooked. For individuals, a bad experience in terms of delivery can quickly decide them to choose another shop. This point is also true for professionals and if the delivery times are too long, the reseller could turn to another wholesaler. This proves that supply comes first and foremost through delivery and that wholesalers must be particularly careful

Stock with buffer effect

Providing an adequate and sufficient stock is closely linked to supply. Indeed, if the wholesaler does not have the necessary stock, he cannot insure the orders of his customers. For this, he must obviously study the market and provide a minimum stock on each reference in order to avoid shortages. Of course, on the biggest references or on products that sell very regularly, it is also necessary to provide an additional stock. This stock, generally called buffer stock or safety stock, makes it possible to absorb unplanned and additional orders but also to avoid shortages in the event of late delivery.

If the buffer stock is reduced, it then goes to the alert stock state and the wholesaler must then restock. In a sector like that of the electronic cigarette, it is imperative to have a precise vision of the state of its stock. If it is too large, it may not sell. On the other hand, if it is too low, you must place an order in order to always be able to honor deliveries. It is thus necessary to know its products and identify the references which sell the most so that the stock is always sufficient.

Being a wholesaler of electronic cigarettes also means anticipating requests in order to best manage your stock of goods. Trends and fashions are constantly changing, and it is therefore necessary to anticipate the references on which there could be a craze. On the contrary, more caution will be required for less acclaimed products.

Finally, the offer must also be substantial and varied in order to meet the needs of different resellers. If the goal is to offer the most common products and the biggest references, a good stock must also consist of less known and more original references likely to attract new customers.

As you will have understood, just like delivery, avoiding shortages thanks to the stock is fundamental. Each wholesaler must know their products perfectly and anticipate possible shortages in order to always satisfy the merchants and allow them to supply the final consumer regularly.

Resell goods in different lots to different merchants, retailers

A wholesaler buys his products in large quantities to resell them to retailers in smaller quantities. Indeed, it is not interesting for them to buy too much stock that they will not be sure to sell. The supply therefore also goes through this allotment phase. The wholesaler buys in bulk and then sells the products in small batches or individually to match the needs of the stores. Thus, in the vaping sector, it is not uncommon for the vials of e-liquids to be sold in lots of 5 or 10. The shops and retailers wish to offer a wide and varied offer, which therefore implies a reduced stock on each reference. The principle of the sale by batch then takes all its sense for the small retailers who wish to propose many references, but which cannot store 1000 boxes of only one and single material in their back-shop.

Of course, this principle must be adapted according to the sector. But for the vape, it is essential since the novelties are legion. Selling in batches thus makes it possible to sell whole boxes (mainly for e-liquids) without having to open them to remove one or two. This saves time for the wholesaler and simpler ordering for the merchant.

Ultimately, a wholesaler does not have only a resale role. He is the link between the manufacturer and the retailer, but he especially ensures everything related to supply. For this, it is therefore imperative to build a sufficient and varied stock but also to offer products in adequate quantities. Finally, delivery is the last impression left by a wholesaler, it must therefore be adapted according to the sector but above all it must be fast because the main objective remains to restock stores before they run out of stock.