Straight answers to the questions product founders ask us most, from the team that has launched products into independent retail since 1989. Last updated: July 2026.
How do I get my product into convenience stores?
The fastest route is through DSD (direct store delivery) distributors and wagon jobbers who service independent stores. Mr. Checkout’s network of 1,100+ independent distributors places retail-ready products on checkout counters or in coolers, often within 21 days. Submit your product here for review.
What margins do distributors require on new products?
Distributors typically require 15% to 35% margins on the products they carry. Convenience stores then add a retail markup of roughly 38% to 45%. Price your product so both layers hit their margin while the suggested retail price stays competitive.
What does it cost to use a distributor for my product?
Distributors earn through margin rather than upfront fees: they make money on the markup between what they pay the supplier and what retailers pay them, typically 15% to 35%. Optional in-store marketing programs, such as retail blitzes, carry separate program costs.
How long does it take to get a product on store shelves?
Through Mr. Checkout’s direct store delivery program, new products can be placed on the checkout counter or in the cooler of independent stores within 21 days of approval.
What is a wagon jobber?
A wagon jobber is a small independent DSD distributor who buys products outright and delivers them directly to convenience stores and independent grocers. Over 60% of US convenience stores are independently owned and are serviced by wagon jobbers and rack jobbers.
How do I find distributors in my state?
Mr. Checkout maintains a national directory of 1,100+ distributors, jobbers and wholesalers covering all 50 states, Canada and the Caribbean. Browse the distributor directory.
What products sell best at checkout counters?
Impulse items with a clear unique selling position sell best: snacks, energy products, novelty items and grab-and-go goods priced roughly $1 to $10 at retail. Mr. Checkout’s blitz program tests display, price point and positioning in real stores before national rollout.
Can international brands get US retail distribution?
Yes. Mr. Checkout works with international suppliers to launch products in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, and supports export and 3PL logistics programs.
What is a retail blitz program?
A blitz places a new product in hundreds to thousands of independent stores at once with guaranteed prime placement, proving sales velocity and refining price and packaging before a national or big-box rollout.
Do I need a broker or a distributor to get into retail?
Chains and big-box stores are usually reached through brokers who arrange buyer meetings, while independent stores are stocked by distributors. Mr. Checkout combines both, working as a buyers agent with a broker network for 60+ major retailers and a 1,100+ distributor network for independents.