How to Distribute to Albuquerque

Albuquerque is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. With a 2020 population of 561,188, it is the largest city in New Mexico and the 32nd largest city in the United States. Albuquerque is currently growing at a rate of 0.09% annually, and its population has increased by 2.81% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 545,852 in 2010. Spanning over 189 miles, Albuquerque has a population density of 2,998 people per square mile.

Albuquerque’s economy centers on science, medicine, technology, commerce, education, entertainment, and culture outlets. Thus, despite the high crime rate, it is not surprising that there is still relative prosperity in the city. The average household income in Albuquerque is $69,996, with a poverty rate of 17.60%.

There are numerous shopping centers and malls within the city, including ABQ Uptown, Coronado, Cottonwood, Nob Hill, and Winrock.

For sales to tourists, it is noteworthy that the city hosts the International Balloon Fiesta, the world’s largest gathering of hot-air balloons, taking place every October at the Balloon Fiesta Park, with its 47-acre launch field. Another large venue is Expo New Mexico, where other annual events are held, such as North America’s largest pow wow at the Gathering of Nations and the New Mexico State Fair. These clearly show that a lot come into the city through tourism. 

A manufacturer looking to distribute products to this city can engage distributors or go directly to retailers. The manufacturer can even decide to take full control of the entire distribution channel.

To fully understand how distribution can work in Albuquerque, it will help to look at the areas within the city and how the distribution of products can work in them.

Distributing to Nob Hill

Nob Hill is a neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico, consisting of a commercial district along Central Avenue and surrounding residential areas. It is located east of the University of New Mexico. The neighborhood was developed between 1925 and 1950 and has since become a popular tourist and shopping destination.

Nob Hill is known mostly for its entertainment – being the hippiest and funkiest retail and entertainment district. It may help to work with a distributor in getting your products into Nob Hill. 

Distributors have the expertise and the experience to get products into a large number of stores. When a manufacturer outsources its distribution to them, they start to map out areas to get the products to. They take marketing materials along to pitch to retailers. With the relationships they have forged with retailers over the years of being in business, it is easier to get the products on the shelves. 

Distributing to Downtown Albuquerque

Downtown Albuquerque is the central business district of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is where a significant number of the city’s highrise buildings are located and is the center of government and business for the Greater Albuquerque metropolitan region.

To penetrate this area, the manufacturer can directly work with retailers. Getting to retailers can seem tough, but it is not impossible. The manufacturer can do this by networking within retail associations. 

Retail associations have retailers as members. They are geographically-based and are well-organized. Some of these retail associations are based on products or industry. For instance, if you want to connect with grocers in this city, it is easy to connect with a grocers’ association with members from the city. 

More, working with retailers directly comes with its benefits for your brand. The insulation between the brand and the customer is reduced. With a well-oiled relationship with retailers, it is easy to get customer feedback and suggestions about the products. 

Distributing to Martineztown-Santa Barbara

Martineztown-Santa Barbara is a neighborhood in central Albuquerque, New Mexico, immediately northeast of Downtown. Started as a small farming village in the 1850s, it is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and retains a distinct character, with winding streets, irregular lots, and adobe vernacular buildings reminiscent of other old Hispanic communities in northern New Mexico.

To get products into an area like this, a manufacturer can use any of the distribution methods discussed above or completely take over the distribution. Very few brands do full control of the distribution – and these brands are the rich ones. 

It costs a lot to take full control of the distribution method. Moreover, the manufacturer has to be in constant touch with the consumers. It is worth noting, however, that this method has its benefits. There is no insulation, whatsoever, between the manufacturer and the consumer. More, it strengthens the brand’s position with the consumer.

It is also worth noting that not all products can be distributed through this method. Some brands like Tesla have found success with it. But a milk manufacturer may find it hard to find success with it.

Things to Note When Distributing to Albuquerque

Large Market

A large population may not translate into a large market all the time, but it does most of the time. As much as there is a lot of potential for sales, there are competing products. Thus, it is important to have a unique selling point that will always resonate with the consumers. They must have a reason to prefer your products to others.

Marketing

A lot of manufacturers don’t do much for marketing. They somehow expect their products to be noticed. It hardly works that way. 

It is important to send marketing messages to consumers on both the internet and mass media. Your uniqueness is communicated to them here. And if you focus on their needs and what they stand to benefit, you might as well have stood out in the market.