marketing articles business management businesses Marketing sales Technology Business finance Lean Manufacturing small business Investing articles employee health

How to become a vendor for Wal-Mart

Becoming a vendor at Wal-Mart is a big step in getting your product out to the public. Many people shop at Wal-Mart, so learn how to become a vendor there and enjoy the benefits of being a vendor in one of the largest stores in the U.S.

So how do you become a vendor for Wal-Mart?:

1. Go online at WALMARTStores.com and submit detailed financial info about your company.
2. If you do not have the Internet, or you want more immediate results you can call corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, at (501) 273-4000. Operators will refer you to the appropriate department for the information you need.
3. You must be listed with and order and pay for two DUN and BRADSTREET reports. Wal-Mart wants to know you can handle your business.
4. You must apply for Universal Product Code (UPC) Identification number(s).
5. You must meet applicable liability and workers compensation insurance requirements.
6. You must pass quality assurance testing.
7. You must meet Labeling and Packaging requirements.

The above things are the technical ways of becoming a vendor for Wal-Mart, but there is more to it that that. You have to recognize and prepare for the fact that you only have one chance to sell to these buyers. So, when you start thinking about becoming a vendor for Wal-Mart, evaluate yourself before doing anything else.Can you prove that you have what it takes to handle Wal-Mart's massive production and Wal-Mart size returns? If not, wait to try and become a vendor until you can because you can't even get pass the front door without showing proof that you have adequate financing, etc.

Also, before you approach Wal-Mart about becoming a vendor, you will want to figure out where your product should be placed. Also, be prepared to back your product up, and why it should take the place of whatever product is already in that place. You will need to show, and tell, why your product is better and can be sold for less.

Also, to be a vendor for Wal-Mart, you will want to think about who the buyers are, and what they will want. Pitch rooms are generally reserved for no more than 45 minutes to an hour, vendors presentations better be short and sweet. If you don't get to the point quickly, then you're done. Be prepared, know when to stop.

You have to know that in general, when you pitch your product, and it is one that should replace another product, you are essentially asking the buyer to dilute a share of a proven and known value with an unproven and unknown value. New product failures are not how buyers keep their jobs. So you better have some pretty good reasons why they should buy your product.

If your presentation and salesmanship is not good, you should hire someone to do the presentation for you!

The last thing you can do to become a vendor for Wal-Mart is to take advantage of the Local vendor program. This program is one of best kept secrets of becoming a Wal-Mart vendor. It is one of the easiest ways to become a vendor. Basically, if your products are unique and locally referenced in some way, it is likely you will get picked up. To get in at this level, call your local Wal-Mart store and ask to speak with the general manager. Ask to set up a time to look over your product. You will then need to fill out a local vendor application and get a referral from the GM. If the GM likes your product you are likely to get in! So try that route if you don't feel the other route is going to work for you.

,
FREE: Get More Leads!
How To Get More LeadsSubscribe to our free newsletter and get our "How To Get More Leads" course free via email. Just enter your first name and email address below to subscribe.
First Name *
Email *


Business Info
Marketing and Sales
Technology
Finance
Manufacturing
Small Business
Investing


Sponsored Links
Recent Articles

Categories

Copyright 2003-2020 by BusinessKnowledgeSource.com - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use