How Would I get my product into Global Partners LP?
Global Partners LP were founded back in 2005 and are a midstream logistics, distribution and convenience store company. Prior to their 2005 listing as an LP; this company had 60 years of convenience store experience under their belts. They supply fuel at their stores via self service, and also offer the usual range of food type products you would find at any convenience store. They also supply tobacco and natural gases – although not always from the same locations!
Global Partners LP has four different sections to it. They operate the convenience stores, they provide wholesale fuel to other companies, they also have a gasoline distribution network and a commercial section to their business – all of which are run by different people. Their products focus on good quality, great taste and a steadfast ability for their trucks to get through no matter the weather. They have a huge range with plenty of choice, and around 20$ of the products they sell are their own private labeled goods. Fortunately for us they have an outstanding supply department, and you can contact them directly should you wish to propose a new product. This supply department is located within the commercial section of their company.
Global Partners LP takes great pride in its network of like-minded individuals, all of whom are very committed to providing the best goods that they can for as cheaply as possible. Once you become a supplier to this company you are accepted into ‘the fold’ and are unlikely to lose the business unless you do something truly terrible. If you can get through the rigorous testing process they will present you with, then you need to offer competitive rates and hard wearing or great tasting produce. With so many years in the business these people are experts, so don’t expect them to let something slip. They want perfection – and if they can’t get it from you there are always other suppliers…
Global Partners LP are looking for new products that are out of the ordinary. They have long established trade links with their suppliers, so your best chance to impress them is with something they don’t sell already. You also need to approach the company first at the link provided below before you send them any unsolicited price lists.
Here are some guidelines for getting your product into Global Partners LP:
- Make sure you have public liability insurance.
- Don’t send any unsolicited documentation – call or email first to establish a connect before jumping in with both feet.
- To get their attention use an unusual product – or improve one they already have by making it more Eco-friendly or by using locally sourced produce.
- You must hold all the relevant paperwork before you send them a product.
- You must have the legal right to produce said product.
- This company will give due consideration to any new fuel products, so if that sounds like you, you may be onto a winner!
- Compare your product to anything they already sell and make sure that yours is better!
To apply to have your product seen by Global Partners LP you need to contact the supply department. Follow this link for contact details.
Submit Your Product to Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP
- 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 Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP
There are several ways to get a product placed in Global Partners LP. 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, Kroger, 7-Eleven and more.
If you envision your product would be a good fit for Global Partners LP, 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 Global Partners LP.
1. Start with the right questions.) Before you try distributing your product to Global Partners LP, 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 Global Partners LP would be interested in selling your product? If you can strike a deal with Global Partners LP, can you handle the production volume? Do you want to sell directly to Global Partners LP, 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 Global Partners LP? Can you sell your product at a reasonable enough profit to cover the packaging, shipping, commissions, marketing and wholesale distribution? Check Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP is the right store for your product.) The relationship between you and Global Partners LP starts with you browsing their store for competing products. If Global Partners LP already has a similar product, it is going to be very difficult to get your product picked up. Spend some time at your local Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP.
If your company is minority or women owned, check Global Partners LP website and see if they offer specific opportunities for those designations.
4. Pitch your product to Global Partners LP.) Decide whether it will be you or a representative to present your product to Global Partners LP. 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 Global Partners LP, 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 Global Partners LP. The percentage of commission verses, however generally a broker will take around 5% to represent your product to Global Partners LP.
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 Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP paperwork.) Often Global Partners LP will have you go through an application process. However, before submitting the paperwork required by Global Partners LP, you should contact a buyer at Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP 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, Global Partners LP 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 Global Partners LP, 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.
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