A retail store is an essential part of the supply chain – it is the point where the consumer can get items to purchase. All other points in the supply chain don’t directly deal with the final consumer. However, retail stores are almost everywhere. You can find a convenience store in almost every neighborhood. Thus, the competition is tough.

The retail business is basically the sale of goods to consumers. It is that outlet that deals in the transfer of the product to the last person in the supply chain – the consumer. The retail outlets could be the supermarket, the retail stores, the grocery stores, the convenience store and many others.

Retail distributors are essential links in the supply chain. When manufacturers produce their products, they need distribution for the product. There are several situations where the manufacturer does the distribution to retailers. This is direct store delivery. However, not all manufacturers have the capacity to do their own distribution to retail outlets. For instance, a new brand still seeking market recognition does not have a name in the market and will need to be significantly promoted and pushed. A retail distributor can do a better job of getting the product to several hundred or even thousands of stores.

Maine is a very beautiful state with a population of about 1.3 million people according to estimates by the United States Census Bureau. Just like every other American state, there are essential things that these people would need. Groceries, beverages, toiletries, and so many other categories of products are consumed widely. There is a lot of money to be made if you are a sole distributor.

However, Maine is a state where fishing is carried for relaxation and as an occupation. This is a state where there is great beauty drawn from the water. Thus, as a retail distributor, you should be looking at needed products like fishing equipment, daily consumables, and products with special customers.

As a retail distributor, there could be a particular niche of distribution you are involved in or you are into several products. It is important to understand that a lot of manufacturing goes on in Maine and unless you will be selling a more popular product than the manufactured ones in the State and at a cheaper price, you may not be able to push some products. However, if you are coming with a product not manufactured in the state, you are in business.

You must be careful of the prices you offer as Maine has some of the problems other States in the country have. There are homeless people, some people are poor, and some others are struggling to survive. There are rich people of course, but they are not in the overwhelming majority. As a distributor, you have to understand that the supply chain adds about 25% increase in the price of products. Thus, you are already making the product costly, don’t sell too high and add to the burden.