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When it comes to locating a distributor, most manufacturers do not know where to start. One of the most significant problems encountered by producers is getting their products into the market and that is no easy task.

Distributors make this process easier.  Securing the right distribution channel will get your product to the shelves of retail outlets and will help you develop a trustworthy relationship with retailers.

As soon as a manufacturer has established the nature of the product and the targeted customers, the next step is to secure a distributor to promote the product. Many manufacturers resort to using advertisements on different platforms, attending trade events, seeking referrals from retailers. But these processes are often insufficient, as they may provide limited information. The process of locating a convenience store distributor becomes a lot easier by utilizing a convenience store distributor directory.

A distributor directory is a catalog containing the company’s name, locations of distribution centers, contact information, nature of goods distributed, and retailers they’re associated with. Some Convenience store distributor directory lists out more than a thousand distribution companies. These directories provide manufacturers with the information required in selecting the right distributors for their products.

Some major benefits a convenience store distributor directory offers includes providing the following information:

1. Company information: Distributors directory provide manufacturers with the name of the distribution company, number of employees, nature of the ownership, and general background information about distribution companies.

• Contact address and information: Accessing convenience store distributors is made easier as directories provide manufacturers with contact addresses and information of multiple distribution companies; locations, telephone number, mail, and headquarters. Distributor directories may also contain information about their head employees.

• Product specialization: Manufacturers are usually interested in contacting distributors involved in the delivery of the type of product they have to offer. As a manufacturer involved in the production of baked products, you do not contact a distributor who deals in beverages because his services may not be useful to you. Directories provide information on the nature of goods a distributor focuses on; this helps manufacturers to streamline their search; thus, saving time and reducing cost.

• Distribution channel and market network: Distributor directory contains information about active market distributors and how to access them. They provide information on the distribution channels utilized by each distributor. Manufacturers can screen distributors that will best ensure their products reach the targeted customers.

• Manufacturer partnership: Many distributors partner with manufacturers and retail traders to help promote their businesses and increase sales. Information about these partnerships is usually provided in distributors’ directories.

Distributors directory contains over a thousand distributors and provides easy access to distribution company information; thus, you are sure to get one that best suits your needs.

The importance of distribution cannot be downplayed. Producers depend on distributors to get their products to retail traders. Distributors create this channel to move products from manufacturers to consumers by acting as middlemen.

In the distribution industry, some distributors have continually retained their status as the leading distributors in terms of:

• Competitive pricing of products
• Building a loyal and trustworthy relationship with consumers by earning their reliance and faith.
• Continuous development and evolution of their businesses by adapting to prevailing trends to ensure that customers remain satisfied.
• Timely delivery of products through their wide distribution channels to retail traders.

In the USA the top 10 distribution companies are:

1. McLane Corporation: McLane corporation provides distribution services for over 90,000 retailers in the country.  They focus on the distribution of food products, drugs, and alcoholic drinks.

2. Core-mark holding Company Incorporated: Core-mark provides services to about 29,000 retailers in the country particularly North America.

3. Eby-Brown Company: Eby-Brown delivers to about 13,500 Retail outlets and has been in operation for about 120 years.

4. H.T. Hackney Company: HT Hackney stocks more than 25,000 variety of products and provides distribution services to 30,000 retailers around the country.

5. GSC Enterprises, Incorporated: GSC Enterprises focuses on the distribution of grocery products to retailers in the country, established in 1947 the company has undergone 14 significant expansions.

6. Farner-Bocken Company: Farmer-Blocked stocks over 14,000 consumer products ranging from snacks, cigarettes, tobacco, food products, groceries, health and beauty items, beverages and drinks, toiletries, and electronic targets.

7. Harold Levinson Associates, Incorporated: Harold Levinson has over 18,000 items in stock and carries out approximately 3,000 to retail outlets. HLA owns a warehousing facility with 600,000-square feet available space.

8. Imperial Trading Company: Imperial Trading Company has partnership 300 consumer product manufacturers and stocks over 8,000 products.

9. AMCON Distributing Company: AMCON distributes over 14,000 consumer products to an approximate of 5,000 retailers which includes convenience stores, liquor shops, grocery stores, drug shops, and tobacco/smoke shops. They carry out delivery of products such as frozen foods, confectionery, grocery, beverages, and snacks.

10. Abraham & Sons, Incorporated: S. Abraham & Sons focus on the distribution of food products in the Midwest. They utilize various marketing strategies to enjoy those products to reach targeted consumers. Partnering with different restaurants, convenience stores, malls, and manufacturers they strive to access success in the distribution sector.

These distributors have established online platforms in the form of websites to enable customers to have easy access to information and improved communication level.

Some of the most eminent distribution companies are located in the United States of America.  Most of these distribution companies have been in operation for decades and have evolved into multimillion-dollar companies. They continue to develop with regards to technological advancements, storage, and transport facilities as well as marketing strategies.

Some manufacturers prefer to establish direct distribution links with retailers as certain retailers prefer dealing with the manufacturers. However largescale retailers and chain retail traders prefer dealing with a particular distributor that can offer them the variety of products they require. As a manufacturer reaching these retailers may pose some challenges without utilizing the proper distribution channel.

Certain distributors have shown distinguishing structures and features that have earned them the status of being ranked as the largest distributors in the USA. The Top 5 largest distributors are:

1. CORE-MARK INCORPORATED, SAN FRANCISCO: Core-Mark has been ranked as the largest distributor in North America and over the years has maintained their status among the top distributors in the country. Its great prices and speedy delivery of products has helped in establishing a good customer relation thereby increasing their distribution channels. Having been in operations for over 130 years, Core-mark has gained a good level of experience in the distribution industry.

• MCLANE COMPANY INCORPORATED TEMPLE: McLane has over 80 distribution locations in the country. Despite a large number of customers, it offers great product prices to customers and ensures the timely delivery of products. McLane has been involved in various charity services to communities around it for decades and provides its workers with various training practices.

• H.T. HACKNEY COMPANY, KNOXVILLE:  HT Hackney has a distribution channel that covers about 22 states in the country, this enables them to reach different markets in various regions. It is focused on providing quality and reliable services to ensure that customers remain satisfied. They offer competitive pricing for products and have continued to grow by implementing various technological innovations into their operations to make the process of product delivery faster and safer. HT Hackney also carryout community charity activities to support communities around their distribution locations.

• EBY-BROWN COMPANY, NAPERVILLE: Eby-Brown distribution company is a family-owned private company that owns  1,433,000 Square Feet Warehouse for storage of consumer products. Eby-Brown has been in operations for over 120 years and currently has about 2,000 employees working at the distribution company. This distribution company takes pride in providing topnotch customer services. This has led to their $4.5 Billion from yearly sales.

• GSC ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED, SULPHUR SPRINGS: GSC has been providing manufacturers with distribution services since 1947. Although it originally began as a grocery store, it has experienced major expansions and currently has 400,000 square feet available space warehousing facility. GSC enterprise has gained the loyalty of its customer and has enjoyed a very satisfied customer relationship.

These distributors concentrate on making sure that retailers and consumers get the essential products at the promised time.

Manufacturers rely on the distribution process to ensure that their products reach the retailers. Distributors also provide services such as storage, promotion, and marketing of manufactured products and, thereby, reducing production costs.  Securing a reliable distribution channel may constitute some challenges, as manufacturers may experience difficulty locating effective and experienced distribution company. Success in production is only achieved when the products reach the desired consumers.

Retail traders such as convenience stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets would rather obtain manufactured products from distributors because of these reasons:

• Distributors offer a variety of products as they may partner with more than one manufacturer and will, therefore, have different products in stock.
• Some distributors allow retailers to return products that were not sold as distributors have the required facilities to store a large number of products.
• Distributors offer more time to retailers to pay back credit by extending their credit. Some retailers choose to purchase their products from single distributors as this saves costs and makes the process of getting products easier.

For manufacturers the process of producing, packaging, storing, and subsequently transporting the products to retail outlets or consumers may be an overwhelming task, this is why distributors help in reducing the pressure on manufacturers by connecting with retailers. Distribution companies, therefore, perform the process of storing and transporting these manufactured products to the retail traders.

In the process of trying to locate a distributor for your product, having a list of potential distributors you wish to contact is always a good idea. This list may be compiled from referrals from people, who have worked with these distributors, through word of mouth, or by personal research conducted. This helps in streamlining the process and making it less tedious. Distribution companies are not just storage facilities or transportation unit, they are more like business partners, and as a manufacturer, partnering with the right distributor helps in achieving success in your business.

Here is a list of distributors who have made a name for themselves in the distribution industry and are recognized by many manufacturers and retailers.

1. MCLANE COMPANY INCORPORATED, TEMPLE, TEXAS.

• CORE-MARK INCORPORATED, SAN FRANCISCO, CARROLL.

• EBY-BROWN COMPANY, NAPERVILLE

• H.T. HACKNEY COMPANY, KNOXVILLE

• FARNER-BOCKEN COMPANY, CARROLL

• HAROLD LEVINSON ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED, FARMINGDALE

• IMPERIAL/HARRISON SUPER REGIONAL DISTRIBUTORS, ELMWOOD

• J. POLEP DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, CHICOPEE

• CHAMBERS & OWEN INCORPORATED, JANESVILLE.

• INCORPORATED, WEST MIFFLIN.

The state of Florida in the United States of America has quite a several retail outlets with about 20% of its working population in the retail industry. Most of these retail outlets are convenience stores. This is due to the state’s dependence on a variety of convenience store products such as toiletries, packaged food, electronics, pharmaceutical products, and other consumer products which are essential for everyday life. With a population of over 20 million citizens, there’s the need to satisfy the population by ensuring the availability of consumer products.

Another reason for the ample number of convenience stores is as a result of the all-year-round visitations by tourists to the state from different countries due to its phenomenal sites and scenes.

Distribution companies in Florida carry out delivery of groceries, electronics, tobacco goods, frozen food, snacks, drugs, and toiletries. These distributors develop channels by creating a long-lasting relationship between the manufacturers and the retailers. Convenience store distributors in Florida include Food product distributors, Beverage Distributors, Tobacco products Distributors; and they provide distribution services to convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets, malls, and grocery stores.

Some top convenience store distributors in Florida are:

1. Mr. Checkout: Mr. Checkout distributors have been involved in ensuring new products are brought to the markets not just in Florida but all over the country for over 30 years. They deliver food, beverage, tobacco products, and sports gear to retail outlets in Florida and other states like Ohio, New York, Alaska, Alabama, and many other states in the USA.

• Colonial Distributing Incorporated: Colonial distributors located in Tampa, Florida provides distribution services to various retailers in the state at great prices by partnering with manufacturers and suppliers.

• Orlando Novelty Wholesaler, Smoke Shops Supplier: Orlando Novelty wholesaler focuses on the distribution of mainly tobacco products, smoke products, and other convenience store products to smoke stores and convenience stores. Orlando Novelty is located in the city of Orlando, Florida.

• Zuma & Sons Distributors Corporation: Zuma & Son distributors are located in medley, Florida. With a total of 35 employees, they carry out the distribution of food products such as packaged food and confectionary throughout the state.

5. Gimix Incorporated: Gimix Incorporated is located in Pompano Beach, Florida, with suitable warehousing facility they offer storage and distribution services to manufacturers in the state. They have a working capacity of about 29 employees.

The general goal of these distributors is to ensure that the required products get to retail shops and stores to ensure consumer satisfaction.

Convenience stores have become very popular in many countries of the world because they offer a variety of consumer products which are crucial for daily life. Convenience stores are retail outlets engaged in sales and stocking of consumer products. These stores are the biggest retail traders involved in the sale of products such as food products, drugs, groceries, magazines, and other products.

The goal of convenience stores is to have a different range of convenience products to satisfy the immediate needs of the consumer. The convenience stores, therefore, have a wide stock of consumer products available. These products must be packaged, preserved, and stocked accurately. Products should also be properly displayed to attract customers.

The right variety of products has to be in stock at all times to ensure that consumers get the products they need when they need them. For this reason, most convenience stores carry out the purchase of goods in bulk quantities (and this is referred to as bulk purchase) to ensure that these products are easily obtainable by the public.

Many distributors are involved in wholesale distribution of convenience store products, ensuring that these products get to the convenience store as fast as possible. Wholesale distributors transport convenience store items ranging from beverages, food products, confectionery, drugs, smoke products, cleaning products, candy, electronic items, groceries, newspapers, and toiletries.

1. Cold drinks items: These include cold beverages and drinks that must be available in any convenience stores.  Examples of these products are soda, energy drinks, bottled iced tea, and water. These cold drinks and beverages are usually stored in the refrigerator or cold merchandisers.

2. Hot beverage items: These are beverages that are usually served hot or warm. They include cocoa, coffee, and tea.

3. Snack items: These items may be confectionery and baked food. They are mostly food items that customers can just grab and eat. Some examples are popcorn, cookies, cupcakes, pretzels, biscuits, and chips. These products are displayed on merchandizers or shelves in convenience stores and are usually bought in large quantities by convenience stores as they satisfy the immediate need of consumers.

4. Hot food items: As the term implies these are food items that must be kept warm to remain fresh. Good examples burger, hot dog, and pizza.

5. Toiletries and sanitary items: Such as Sanitizers, toilet papers, female hygiene products, bar soaps, detergents cleaning chemical, air fresheners, paper towels, brooms, and trash bags.

Other items distributed in wholesale include frozen foods, packaged foods, disposables, and smoke/vape products.

The movement of convenience store products in large amounts is referred to as wholesale distribution. Wholesale distributors carry out delivery to small-scale distributors. Convenience store wholesale distributors act as connecting links ensuring that manufactured products are moved from the producers to the retail traders, they do not deliver products directly to the final consumer.

Generally, wholesale distributors are in three forms.

• Some distributors focus on storing and distributing the same class products from different manufacturers

• Others focus on being the only distributor for a particular manufacturer.
• The final group is those who carry out the distribution of different various convenience store products from different manufacturers.

Regardless of the form of wholesale distribution the goal remains ensuring that manufactured products get to the right population of retail traders or small-scale distributors at the expected time without delay.

As a manufacturer, working with the right wholesale distributor offers you some benefits as regards promoting and marketing your product at a great cost. Some of these benefits include:

1. Explicit and recognized customer relationship: A major advantage of working with wholesale distributors is the fact that most distributors already have a pre-existing relationship with customers and have earned the trust and loyalty of these customers. These distributors become great channels for transporting products.

2. Marketing competence: Success in distribution goes alongside efficient marketing. Partnering with an experienced and knowledgeable distributor helps to promote sales, increase profit, and reduce marketing costs. Wholesale distributors also aid in securing new retailers to increase sales.

3. Efficient storage: Distribution companies have warehouse facilities for stocking a variety of products. Wholesale distributors assist producers in storing their products and keeping them fresh, thereby reducing manufacturers’ storage costs.

4. Speedy delivery and larger distribution channel: Distribution companies have sufficient transport facilities. These make the movement of products from the manufacturer to retailer easier and faster. Also, as a result of their larger distribution channels, products reach a larger range of retailers promptly.

One major challenge of wholesale distribution companies is the need to ensure that a great number of products are properly stored, kept fresh and free from damage-causing elements, which may sometime pose great problems in situations where the required technology is lacking. Some large retailers have also resulted in buying directly from manufacturers leading to a reduction in businesses for wholesale distributors.

Some notable wholesale distributors in the United States of America are McLane Co Incorporated, GSC Enterprises Incorporated, Eby-Brown Company, Harold Levinson Associates Incorporated, Imperial/Harrison Supe, and Farner-Bocken Company.