How to Distribute to Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the largest city in the US state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous US city with a 2020 estimated population of 1,591,800. Philadelphia is currently growing at a rate of 0.24% annually, and its population has increased by 4.31% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 1,526,010 in 2010. Philadelphia reached its highest population of 2,071,600 in 1950. Spanning over 143 miles, Philadelphia has a population density of 11,854 people per square mile.

Not uncommon in populated cities, Philadelphia is not a very rich city. The average household income in Philadelphia is $65,090, with a poverty rate of 24.86%. Notwithstanding, a lot of commercial activities still go on within the walls of the city.

When it comes to Tourist traffic, Philadelphia has a lot to offer. The city welcomed 42 million domestic tourists in 2016 who spent $6.8 billion, generating an estimated $11 billion in total economic impact in the city and surrounding four counties of Pennsylvania. Imagine the billions of dollars that went into purchases and shopping.

To understand the distribution of products in Philadelphia, it will help to understand product distribution in the areas that make up the city.

Distributing Products to Buck County

Buck County has a 2020 estimated population of 630,529. It has experienced a consistent 0.19% growth rate and is the 4th largest county in Pennsylvania.

What this means for sales is that there is a possibility of a consistent uptick in the sales of products in the county. And this is what makes the county attractive to manufacturers and distributors.

Distributing to an area like this requires a well mapped-out strategy. You must follow the steps of marketing and distribution in order. First, you need to establish a connection with the people of the area. Do they need your products? Who are your competitors? What’s your unique selling point? How do you plan to take over the market?

Second, you need to establish a connection with the market actors. These are the people who move the retail industry of the area. This could be by connecting through the retailers’ associations in the area. Some of these retailer’s associations include the PA Retailers’ Association, Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance, and the Pennsylvania branch of the National Retail Federation.

You can also use distributors to get your products into stores. Distributors are very effective as they understand the market and how to approach it. They understand consumer patterns and know which products will be successful in a particular area and otherwise.

Next is marketing. This is very important. Failure to do this means failure for the product. You have to tailor the marketing messages to the particular prospect of your product.

Distribution of Products in Chester County

According to the most recent United States census data, Chester County’s estimated population is 528,270, with a growth rate of 0.59% in the past year. Chester County, Pennsylvania, is the 7th largest county in Pennsylvania.

Just like other parts of the city of Philadelphia, getting products to Chester County holds the promise of high sales due to the growth rate and the population. However, it requires a great strategy. With many products to compete with, the manufacturer must look at either networking or working with an experienced distributor.

Also, the place of marketing cannot be overemphasized. You need to tailor your marketing messages to your audience. Chester County has a sizable population, but it would require work saturating the market with your products.

Distribution to Montgomery County

According to the most recent United States census data, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, estimated population is 836,688, with a growth rate of 0.49% in the past year. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, is the 3rd largest county in Pennsylvania.

Norristown is the county seat and largest city. Montgomery County is geographically diverse, ranging from farms and open land in the extreme north of the county to densely populated suburban neighborhoods in the southern and central portions of the county.

This is another large market to infiltrate for manufacturers and distributors. And as with large markets, there are competing brands and products the manufacturer would have to be up against. Gaining a large market share in an area like this can breed long-term loyalty.

Relating to the community in the best way they’d like to hear may be a good step to start with. Through tailored marketing messages, this geographically diverse community can find something to respond to. Geographically diverse may mean different messages to different areas.

Working with distributors has proven to be an effective strategy for brands over the years. You can employ this method to get your products into local stores. However, this would work well with marketing.

Things to Note When Distributing Products to Philadelphia

Competition

The Philadelphia market is large and, at the same time, very competitive. You need to establish your presence by doing something better or showcasing a unique selling point that endears customers to your products. Just like quality design and top-notch technology endears us to Apple.

Promotions and Marketing

The population here is pretty urban. You don’t want to go too pricey or upscale. The median income in Philadelphia is $65,090. This, when compared to other cities in the US, is quite small. However, there is a large market. And numbers mean a lot in sales.

Tourism

Philadelphia receives millions of tourists every year. And this generates billions of dollars. If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 figures would have been overwhelming. The pandemic will blow over, and tourism will return. This is why you should be ready to cater to this teeming population of tourists. You should position your brand to capture their attention.