What are the benefits of wholesale suppliers for barbers?
For many barbers, establishing the right relationship with a reliable wholesaler is extremely important.
That’s not just because a wholesaler has a ready supply of barbering supplies needed to operate day-to-day.
It’s also because good wholesalers can be fonts of knowledge when it comes to the hair trade.
Intimately familiar with the products they stock, the best wholesalers have expert industry knowledge and they understand trends in the hair trade better than anyone.
Here’s the lowdown on the main benefits of buying from a wholesaler.
Discounts & Offers
All businesses need to keep a close eye on the bottom line, and a barber’s shop is no different.
Buying stock at a discount is therefore essential if you’re going to drive down unit costs and maximise profits.
The main types of discounts and inducements a wholesaler typically offers include:
- Trade: Registered barbers, salons, and hair professionals enjoy lower prices on a range of hair-cutting essentials like clippers, razors, and hair products.
- Volume: Bulk buying can dramatically lower the price you pay for everyday items – and the good news is, with the tiered approach to volume discounts used at many wholesalers, the more you buy, the lower the price.
- Loyalty: Points earned on prior purchases can often be converted into credit at the wholesaler’s.
- Clearance Prices: Seasonal and discontinued items are heavily discounted.
- Freebies: Bonus products and try-before-you-buy options are often plentiful at the wholesalers.
Guaranteed Quality
If you’re looking to source a pair of industry-standard Kobe scissors or to bulk buy some L’Oreal shampoo, you can’t go wrong if you are working with the right wholesaler.
Wholesalers have relationships with top suppliers across the industry, so you can be sure the stock you buy from them will be both legitimate and premium quality.
For example, CoolBlades is widely recognised as having particularly good relationships with dozens of reputable brands, thanks to its over thirty years in the business.
Stock Management
Okay, a barber’s shop is not a JIT car production line, but it still requires a guaranteed supply of essential supplies that can be delivered promptly.
That’s where a good wholesaler comes into its own.
You may be able to drop in in-person to a local wholesaler to stock up on essentials – but nowadays you don’t have to, as many wholesalers offer 24-hour delivery, straight to your door.
Returns Policy
Buying retail or hunting around on eBay or Amazon for stock from unverified sellers can be a fool’s errand when it comes to sourcing stock.
You can’t be sure the things you need will be in stock, and when they arrive, the quality can be iffy, to say the least.
With a wholesaler, you’re not just getting tried-and-tested products, but a guarantee and returns policy, meaning you can always return the goods and get your money back if you change your mind.
Resale Opportunities
Buying from a wholesaler comes with some arbitrage opportunities, too.
By buying in bulk at a discount and then selling on at retail, you have a nice sideline that makes some juicy profits.
Opportunities here abound when it comes to seasonal products; a wholesaler will look to shift quickly once a season is over.
Market Knowledge
Wholesalers are no longer simply “pile ’em high, sell ‘em cheap” merchants.
Nowadays, the very best ones know the market inside out.
They also get first dibs on new and innovative hair and barbering products, meaning they can offer you on-trend products that you can use to delight your customers.
Conclusion
Wholesalers have come a long way from the days of just shifting high volumes of stock at rock-bottom prices.
True, they’re still synonymous with bulk selling and competitive prices, but in today’s competitive market some are developing sophisticated selling operations, offering market insights and product insights alongside those essential trade discounts and deals.
