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Kole’s Wholesale Buying Tips
WITH OVER 25 YEARS’ experience, Kole Imports knows the preferences of today’s frugal retailers, and their equally cost-conscious customers. It is Kole Imports’ ability to source great products, come up with new ideas, and prepare for a long and successful future with its buyers that has made the company a leader in the wholesale and closeout industry. Credit must also be given to the buyers who have taken the time to learn the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of whole- sale merchandise purchas- ing, and to those who have investigated and invested in the right wholesale suppli- ers like Kole Imports. T e retailer is the fi rst
step in the wholesale mer- chandise buying process, and is confronted with three major stages dur- ing this process: Identify, Research and Sell. A retailer’s responsibility is to fi rst identify and understand their target market, and build an inventory that will suit this market’s needs best. Being diff erent and off ering one-of-a- kind merchandise is a top priority for creating a successful retail market. “If you’re selling the exact same thing as the other stores in your area, cus- tomers have lit le incentive to come to your store instead of someone else’s,” says Jason Kole, VP of Kole’s business development. “Stock the staple items all customers need, but also make some eff ort to
fi nd unique and interesting items they won’t fi nd anywhere else.” Annual occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and the holiday shopping season leave many consumers continually brainstorming for new giſt ideas. People love gadgets and gimmicks, and things they have never seen before, so make sure you include some of these items in your product mix. Off ering some unique closeout items each
Being different and
offering one-of-a-kind merchandise is a top
priority for creating a successful retail market.
month along with the regular merchandise typically carried can keep customers coming back to see what’s new. Closeout merchan- dise can be good or bad, depending on the desir- ability of the item and the wholesale price. “Remem- ber, it’s about knowing your market,” explains Kole. “A closeout is only a great deal if you will be able to easily
sell the items to your customers.” Closeouts can be made relevant, but still unique and interest- ing, by including some seasonal items related to the time of year, weather, upcoming holidays, and even local sports team seasons. T ese factors will help the items to sell themselves. Some examples are Christmas decorations, NFL car air fresheners, and warm gloves in the winter. If it is cheap, useful, and related to what is going on in the customer’s life, they will buy it. Once a retailer knows what buyers are looking
Continued On 50 48 May 2012
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