How To Be A Vendor With AVB Brandsource
AVB began in 1969 as a buyers group but has grown into a brand to benefit retailers of a wide variety. AVB was founded on the idea that retailers can get much better prices when they order together, instead of individual small orders. AVB was originated in California and has spread throughout the state, throughout the northwest and into other regions. AVB Brandsource has over 4,500 stores and over $19 billion in buying power.
AVB Brandsource is a member based company that provides a number of benefits to both retailers, and companies looking to sell products to retailers. By being a member, companies can include themselves into large orders of products, and get them at a lower price since the quantity is so massive. AVB also can provide financial, HR, and educational opportunities for their members. To submit products to AVB, you must be a member.
AVB primarily sells electronics, appliances, floor coverings, and furniture. AVB is also a national marketing group, advertising on commercials, and plenty of other platforms. AVB has several different brands within its company, such has Brandosurce. which is an identity for the members. AVB also has Prosource,which is for the members who specialize in the electronics division
Submit Your Product to Avb Brandsource Foods
Skip the cold outreach. Mr. Checkout presents products to corporate chain buyers and also works a network of thousands of independent retailers that build real reorder proof. Tell us about your product below and a real person will read it.
How to get your product into AVB Brandsource
- Understand you client: Before you spend a lot of time and money creating a product, you should know if anyone will want to buy it. Learn more about Market Research
- Learn if it’s protectable: Know if you can defend your product against cheap copies if it gets knocked off. Learn more about Copyright and Patent your product
- Test your product: Make sure that there’s a demand for your product and the customer understands what you are selling when it’s on the shelf and nobody is there to explain it. Learn more about Product Testing
- Perfect your pitch: Before you speak to decision makers, know your numbers, know your retailer and know your logistics in and out. Learn more about Pitching Your Product
- Don’t do it alone: If you haven’t been successful in retail before, a secret of success is that you can’t do it alone. Having great sales staff, customer support and marketing partners can take you from zero to success faster than if you tried on your own. Learn more about Retail Partnerships
Contact AVB Brandsource Buyer
Do not trust any “list” of buyers.
Typically retail buyers change either companies or positions every few years. This strategy helps retailers know that their buyers are not taking “kick-backs” and are selecting the very best product for the very best position each time.
Buyers are typically held to a very rigorous standard of sell-through volume that they must hit and because of this they are risk averse. Your job as a supplier or vendor is to convince them that the buyers going into the stores not only know about what you’re selling but are actively seeking the product in the store currently.
How to Submit a Product to AVB Brandsource
There are several ways to get a product placed in AVB Brandsource. However, most entrepreneurs only dream about getting their product distributed to major retailers, few actually do it. We have experienced a significant rise in interest since the show Shark Tank started airing on NBC. Mr. Checkout has had the pleasure of working with a few Shark Tank success stories such as KISStixx and 180 Party Cups which are now currently being distributed around the country to stores like Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven and more.
If you envision your product would be a good fit for AVB Brandsource, we have a few steps to help you get your product on their shelves.
Here are the 6 steps you need to take to have your product placed in AVB Brandsource.
1. Start with the right questions.) Before you try distributing your product to AVB Brandsource, you need to ask yourself a few basic questions. Do you need to build demand for your product, or is there already a demand for it? Do you know that AVB Brandsource would be interested in selling your product? If you can strike a deal with AVB Brandsource, can you handle the production volume? Do you want to sell directly to AVB Brandsource, or do you want to license your product to a manufacturer that will handle distribution?
2. Be prepared to profit.) Does your product offer enough of a profit margin for AVB Brandsource? Can you sell your product at a reasonable enough profit to cover the packaging, shipping, commissions, marketing and wholesale distribution? Check AVB Brandsource’s guidelines for other fees that you will have to build into the cost of your product in order for you to be able to turn enough of a profit to make the effort worth your while. If you work with a discount retailer, they will try to strip your profits down to zero in order to keep their prices as low as possible.
The typical breakdown of margins are: If a products costs $1 to produce, that product will retail for $4. That product that retails for $4 will wholesale for $2 to distributors and stores that purchase direct. Big box retailers like AVB Brandsource may offer to pay $1.25 to the manufacturer if the product costs $1 to produce. That is the typical profit margin.
3. Determine if AVB Brandsource is the right store for your product.) The relationship between you and AVB Brandsource starts with you browsing their store for competing products. If AVB Brandsource already has a similar product, it is going to be very difficult to get your product picked up. Spend some time at your local AVB Brandsource to see what kind of products they are selling, speak to the manager and see if he thinks your product will sell well in their store. Picture in which zone your product would best fit on the shelf and keep in mind that the most precious asset that these big box stores value are their shelf space. Keep this information in mind when you are preparing your presentation to AVB Brandsource.
If your company is minority or women owned, check AVB Brandsource’s website and see if they offer specific opportunities for those designations.
4. Pitch your product to AVB Brandsource. Decide whether it will be you or a representative to present your product to AVB Brandsource. Your presentation depends heavily on your strengths as a businessperson as they will most likely ask financial questions and logistics questions.
It’s common for companies to hire a broker to pitch their product to AVB Brandsource, as it will be more likely that your product will make it to the next stage if the individual pitching your product has industry knowledge or a personal relationship with AVB Brandsource. The percentage of commission verses, however generally a broker will take around 5% to represent your product to AVB Brandsource.
We at Mr. Checkout have experience dealing with brokers and know that there are several retail brokers that have poor business practices that can potentially damage your brand. If you are seeking a legitimate AVB Brandsource broker, please give us a call for a recommendation. It could save you a huge headache and a lot of money.
5. Complete the required AVB Brandsource paperwork.) Often AVB Brandsource will have you go through an application process. However, before submitting the paperwork required by AVB Brandsource, you should contact a buyer at AVB Brandsource and let them know your intentions. Having a contact inside of the company will potentially move your application more smoothly through the process.
6. Anticipate the need for increased volume.) Having AVB Brandsource agree to stock your product will most likely mean a significant increase in volume. You should be prepared to ramp up your production and informing your manufacturer of this opportunity.
Having production, logistics and distribution to sync is not only difficult, it requires a significant amount of time invested in customer relations. Also, AVB Brandsource may have stipulations in the contract that may penalize you for delays in shipping and production. Have an attorney explain all contracts to you if you don’t understand the terms.
If you’re looking to sell your product to AVB Brandsource, be sure to thoroughly assess the marketplace, carefully prepare for production growth, and take full advantage of resources available to help you grow your business.
Submit Your Product Now
(est. time 3 minutes)