The jobber is a player in the supply chain who gets products in large quantities from manufacturers or importers and gets them distributed to retail chains, supermarkets, department stores, drug stores, and other retail centers. The objective of the jobber is to distribute goods at lower costs through the economies of scale.

Convenience stores are very popular and the foot traffic in them is mostly high due to the strategic positioning. They are near residential areas, in gas stations, in the corner, etc. they are practically the nearest stores to consumer public.

Sourcing can be an issue for convenience stores due to their sizes. Big retailers have the size and capacity to draw several kinds of distributors near. However, retailers in smaller outlets have to get lists of suppliers who will be available to supply at the quantity and price they are looking for.

It can be very hard to differentiate between the players in the supply chain who get the products to the retailers. Trying to give them their distinctive features would seem theoretical as their function in the supply chain overlap and they all work at getting the product to the retailer. The jobber combines selling of the product with delivery of the products to the retailer. The functions of other wholesale suppliers and distributors are not that different – all work to ensure that they bridge the gap between the manufacturer and the retailer.

However, with brands looking at cutting the wholesaler out; it can seem very profitable as a retail prospect however there are so many products that the retailer may be limited in variety. The jobber and other wholesalers in the supply chain offer varieties to the retailers. They get products from so many manufacturers and importers that they offer a wide range of products. Supermarkets, supercenters, and other retailers use these distributors a lot. Though their jobs may be hampered by the move of big brands in selling own brands also known as store brands. However, with retail centers like convenience stores, the job of wagon jobbers and other distributors are still secured as these don’t produce their own brands; they resell popular brands.

Jobbers are just like any other distributor. The retailer is looking at ways of getting the quantity it can cater for at a favorable price. The jobber can enter into a profitable business relationship if there are relationships with many convenience stores and they are getting supplies at the quantities they want. Trying to have a high minimum supply rate can scare a lot of retailers away especially convenience store operators. These stores are not very big stores and they don’t get the same traffic the big stores get thus, they would only order that which they have realized would move fast enough.

As jobbers have high influence in the convenience store retail setting, it is very important to note that marketing displays can be very helpful and the jobber, being a supplier, is duty-bound to get the retailer some.