The European market for watering cans offers opportunities, but competition is strong. The mid to high-end segments are your best options, as mass-produced items dominate the lower ends of the market. To compete, you will need to add value to your products through your design, craftsmanship, functionality and sustainability. You must comply with mandatory (legal) requirements, as well as any additional buyer-specific requirements.
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The following requirements apply to watering cans in the European market. For a more detailed overview, see our study on buyer requirements for Home Decorations and Home Textiles (HDHT).
When exporting to Europe, you have to comply with the following legal requirements:
All non-food products marketed in the European Union (EU) must be safe to use. The current General Product Safety Directive (GPSD, /95/EC) will be replaced by the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR, EU /988). The new regulation came into force in June and will apply from December onwards. The GPSR will ensure that products in the EU comply with the highest safety requirements, whether sold online or in traditional shops.
Unsafe products are rejected at the European border or withdrawn from the market. The EU uses the Safety Gate system to list and share information about such products.
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The REACH regulation (EC /) lists restricted chemicals in products that are marketed in Europe.
Restricted chemicals in the production of watering cans include:
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When you develop products, you have to make sure they are not a copy of an existing design. Intellectual property (IP) is protected in Europe, and products that violate IP rights are banned from the market. The European Commission’s IP action plan gives European companies easier access to fast, effective and affordable protection tools.
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The European Green Deal provides a legal side to social and environmental sustainability. One of its main building blocks is the Circular Economy Action Plan, which includes initiatives along products’ entire life cycles.
In this context, many European laws are under revision and new legislation is being developed. Some of this legislation will apply to you directly, and some indirectly via your buyers. Some particularly relevant proposals for the watering can industry include the:
The Packaging Directive (94/62/EC) aims to prevent or reduce the negative impact of packaging and packaging waste on the environment. Buyers may therefore ask you to minimise the use of packaging and/or use sustainable (recycled) materials.
According to the Circular Economy Action Plan, all packaging on the European market should be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by . To help achieve this, the European Commission has proposed a new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Europe also has requirements for wood packaging material and dunnage (WPM) used for transport, such as packing cases and pallets. The goal is to prevent organisms that are harmful to plants or plant products from entering and spreading within the EU.
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Important upcoming Green Deal legislation includes the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Forced Labour Regulation (FLR). In , the European Commission adopted a proposal for a CSDDD. This requires larger companies to identify and prevent, end or reduce any negative impacts of their activities on human rights and the environment. Both in the company’s own operations and in its value chains. This means that the new rules may apply to you indirectly via your buyers. The proposed FLR bans products made using forced labour.
As these proposed laws have yet to be finalised, their exact implications are not yet clear. Nevertheless, you should familiarise yourself with them and prepare for their rollout.
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Another upcoming law is the Green Claims Directive. In a recent European screening of websites, many green claims were believed to be exaggerated, false or deceptive. Via this ‘greenwashing’, companies pretend to be doing more for the environment than they really are.
In , the European Commission proposed a Green Claims Directive to:
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Buyers often have additional requirements regarding:
Social and environmental sustainability are becoming increasingly important in the European HDHT market because of the changing values of both consumers and buyers. Another reason is the new Green Deal legislation. Environmental sustainability focuses on your company’s impact on the environment, for example via the use of certain raw materials and production processes. Social sustainability focuses on your company’s positive impact on the wellbeing of your workers and the community. Key topics include fair wages and safe working conditions.
You can highlight your sustainable activities and policies in the ‘story’ behind your product and company. Buyers appreciate good storytelling that evokes an emotional connection.
The increasing importance of sustainability is reflected in a Maison&Objet Barometer, where 62% of HDHT retailers noticed a growing interest from their customers in ethical products. 92% indicated that their customers think natural materials are (very) important, 77% stated that they value socially responsible production methods, and 71% said that they care about recyclable/recycled materials.
In addition to legal compliance, a growing number of European buyers would like you to comply with:
You can learn about sustainable options from standards like ISO and SA . However, only niche market buyers demand certification.
If you adhere to such initiatives and standards, this may help your buyers comply with the proposed CSDDD and FLR, which require ‘proof’ of sustainable practices.
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Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) can cause lung cancer through inhalation. The ceramics industry mostly uses crystalline silica in the form of quartz and cristobalite. European buyers care about worker safety and may demand good handling practices for crystalline silica during production.
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The information on the outer packaging should match the packing list sent to the importer.
Outer packaging labels should include:
Your buyer will specify what information they need on the product labels or on the item itself, such as logos or ‘made in’ information. This is part of the order specifications. In Europe, EAN or barcodes are commonly used on the product label.
You should pack watering cans according to the importer’s instructions. They have their own requirements for packaging materials, filling boxes, palletisation and stowing containers. Always ask for the importer’s order specifications, which are part of the purchase order.
Proper packaging minimises the risk of damage caused by shocks. How an item is packaged for export depends on how easily it can be damaged. Packaging should ensure that the items inside a box cannot damage each other. It should also prevent damage to the boxes when they are stacked inside the container. Packaging therefore usually consists of inner and outer cardboard boxes. The inner boxes are filled with protective materials or clever partitioning with corrugated (ridged) cardboard.
Packaging must be easy to handle in terms of size and weight. Standards are often related to labour regulations at the destination and must be specified by the buyer.
Boxes are usually palletised for transport, and you have to maximise the use of pallet space. Nesting or stacking can reduce costs. Consider this when designing your products.
Packaging must provide maximum protection, but you must also avoid using excess materials or shipping ‘air’. Waste removal is a cost for buyers.
You can reduce the amount and diversity of packing materials by:
Importers are increasingly banning wooden crating and packaging. Economical and sustainable packaging materials are more popular. Using biodegradable materials can be a market opportunity. Some buyers may even demand it.
At retail level, watering cans are usually supplied without packaging. You should emphasise in your communication with buyers that any special labelling and packaging requirements will cost extra.
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Payment terms are usually confirmed in the buyer’s order contract. They vary from buyer to buyer and are related to the volume and value of the order, the type of distribution partner, whether or not an agent is involved, and what delivery terms apply.
Delivery terms, known as Incoterms, depend on the type of distribution partner. HDHT importers generally prefer Free On Board (FOB) or Free Carrier (FCA) arrangements.
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Fair-trade practices and sustainability certifications are the most common niche market requirements.
The concept of fair trade supports fair pricing and improved social conditions for producers and their communities. Fair-trade certification can give you a competitive advantage, especially if the production of your items is labour-intensive. It often includes aspects of environmental sustainability too.
Common fair-trade labels are the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) Guarantee System and Fair for Life certification. However, for most fair trade-oriented buyers in Europe, complying with WFTO’s 10 principles of fair trade is enough.
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The Global Recycle Standard (GRS) is a standard for products containing recycled material, with criteria for environmentally friendly production and good working conditions. Products containing ≥20% recycled material can be GRS-certified, but only if the entire production process is certified. Additional social, environmental and chemical requirements must also be met. If the end product is not produced in a certified factory, it may not carry a GRS quality mark. For consumer-facing labelling, the product must contain at least 50% recycled content. If you use GRS-certified material, you can highlight in your communication that this material is certified.
Similarly, the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is intended for products containing ≥5% recycled material. Unlike the GRS, the RCS does not address any social or environmental aspects of processing and manufacturing.
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Watering cans are put on the European market through importers/wholesalers that supply to retailers, as well as retailers that buy directly from suppliers. Your best opportunities are in the mid to high-end market.
The European market for watering cans consists of 3 segments: low, mid and high end (premium).
Figure 1: Watering can market segmentation in Europe
Source: Globally Cool, GO! Good Opportunity & Remco Kemper
The low-end segment focuses on accessible prices, functionality and basic designs. These consumers just use their watering cans to water their flowers and plants. Typical retailers include hypermarkets such as Lidl, as well as garden centres. Because this segment is dominated by low-cost and mass-produced items, opportunities are limited for smaller manufacturers like you. Instead, you should focus on the mid to high-end market.
The mid-end segment follows trends, combining functionality and style. Prices are reasonable, to appeal to consumers who want value for money and a functional but decorative watering can. Craftsmanship, natural materials and/or sustainable values play a role, especially in the higher mid-end segment. Important players in this market are garden centres such as Intratuin and interior stores like Habitat. Watering cans in this segment also make nice gifts.
At the higher end of the market, watering cans are well-designed. Professional tools are included in this segment as well, which can also be used by keen home gardeners. These cans often have ergonomic handles and/or extra-long spouts for additional convenience. Professional watering cans may also be endorsed by famous gardens or horticultural societies. Interior stores like Connox play a role in this segment.
Figure 2: Outdoor watering can made of galvanised and powder-coated metal with accessories
Source: Haws Watering Cans @ YouTube
Market access channels for watering cans mainly follow the traditional HDHT patterns. Importers/wholesalers supply to retailers. Larger retail chains often bypass the importers/wholesalers and import for themselves, while more and more smaller retailers have also started buying directly from the supplier. In some cases, buying agents play a role.
Figure 3: Trade channels for watering cans in Europe
Source: Globally Cool, GO! Good Opportunity & Remco Kemper
Importers/wholesalers sell products to retailers in their own country or region, or re-export across Europe. Supplying to buyers in the project market is another distribution flow for them.
These importers/wholesalers handle the import procedures. They take ownership of the goods when they buy from you (unlike agents), taking on the risk of the onward sale of the products. Developing a long-term relationship can lead to a high level of cooperation on appropriate designs for the market, new trends, use of materials, types of finishing and quality requirements.
Retailers come in many sizes: large and part of a chain, or small and independent. Larger retail chains in particular often import directly from their suppliers in developing countries. Many even have their own buying offices in developing countries. Others – mainly smaller independent stores – order in Europe from wholesalers.
There is a tendency towards consolidation in European retail: large retail brands are becoming more widespread and more ‘lifestyle-centred’, offering home decoration and textiles as well as fashion accessories.
You can encounter several types of intermediaries when doing business with European buyers:
Agents and buying houses mostly work on commission. They may approach you, or your buyer may request an intermediary. However, you should always try to work with your buyer directly. This saves on commission and allows you to communicate directly with your buyer.
E-commerce has grown in recent years. Your easiest way to benefit is by supplying to a European wholesaler or retailer with a strong online presence. This is usually not a separate channel. Retailers often combine online and offline channels, and the way of supplying to them is the same. Companies that only sell online also need to take stock before they can sell.
Selling directly to European consumers via your own website can be complicated and costly. You are responsible for factors like aftersales obligations and payment systems for consumer use. For most exporters from developing countries this is not feasible. In addition, according to Dutch consumer association Consumentenbond, Dutch consumers bought less from non-EU web shops after new EU VAT rules were rolled out in . This makes direct online sales even less attractive.[A1]
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Importers/wholesalers are the main channel between exporters in developing countries and European retailers. They are interesting if you want to develop a long-term relationship. These importers usually know the European market well, so they can provide you with valuable information and guidance on market preferences. They generally prefer FOB or FCA Incoterms.
Figure 4: Incoterms
Source: Globally Cool, GO! Good Opportunity & Remco Kemper
Large retailers are increasingly importing for themselves to cut out the margins of importers/wholesalers, reduce time to market and to have more control over product design and finish. This could offer you opportunities. Smaller, independent retailers need to set themselves apart from retail chains through value-added service, specialised offers and authenticity. Buying directly from producers in developing countries is an interesting way for them to do so. They typically prefer small order quantities per item, small total order volumes, and delivery to their doorstep via Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) or Delivery At Place (DAP). Repeat orders are less likely.
The trend of direct sourcing is expected to continue. This may create more opportunities for you, as a growing pool of buyers could improve your bargaining position. Because importing retailers order for their own shops, they can place orders much quicker than importers/wholesalers who may need to show samples to their retailers before ordering. You need to calculate if trading directly with (smaller) retailers is cost-effective for you.
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Europe’s leading supplier of watering cans is likely China, although no specific trade data are available for watering cans. A lot of these supplies consist of mass-produced items for the lower-end segments. Instead of competing with mass-producing companies, your best opportunities are in the mid to high-end segments. There, you will be competing with suppliers from countries like Türkiye, Poland and India.
Because no specific trade data are available for watering cans, these statistics cover agricultural and horticultural watering appliances.
Europe imports most of its agricultural or horticultural watering appliances from within Europe. Its leading suppliers are Italy (15%), Germany (12%), France (10%), Spain (7.6%) and Austria (7.0%). China follows as the largest non-European supplier, with 5%. Because these data also include industrial agricultural and horticultural appliances, they do not accurately reflect the supplies of watering cans for domestic use. In that context, this study highlights China, Türkiye, Poland and India as competing countries.
European countries have different roles in the HDHT market. Some are mainly importers and others are mainly manufacturers. Western European countries are mainly importers. Most Western European importers are re-exporters. They do not just sell their products in their own country, they also distribute them across the continent.
European production mainly takes place in Eastern Europe, mostly because of relatively low transport and labour costs. This can make these countries a good alternative for European buyers to source low to mid-end products. Western and Southern Europe also produce some high-end products by well-known premium brands with a long history.
Source: UN Comtrade & ITC TradeMap
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China is the 6th largest supplier of agricultural or horticultural watering appliances to Europe, after intra-European trade from various countries. However, its supplies dropped from a peak of €51 million in to €28 million in . This translated to an average annual rate (CAGR) of -9.8% from to , and a direct import market share that fell from 9.7% to 5%.China mainly supplies the lower-end market, often with plastic items.
China benefits from its large-scale and highly mechanised production systems, low-cost workforce, availability of raw materials and efficient shipping to Europe compared to other Asian countries. However, its rising labour costs in the last 10 years have affected its price competitiveness. In the coming years, China’s trade war with the United States and other disruptions may affect exports.
To avoid competition from Chinese suppliers on cost, you should make your product range stand out and stay away from mass-produced objects. Focus more on handmade products, sustainability and the story behind your product. Smaller European importers are increasingly looking for suppliers from other Asian countries, such as India, Vietnam, Indonesia or Thailand. They want to diversify their collection and become less dependent on China as a single supplier. This also goes for importers whose designs require handwork.
Türkiye has the advantage of being close to the European market, as well as a relatively well-developed production system and low-cost workforce. The country’s supplies of agricultural or horticultural watering appliances to Europe grew from €10 million in to €12 million in , at a CAGR of 4.6%. This included a peak of €18 million in .
As a result, Türkiye’s direct import market share fluctuated between 2% and 3%. This made the country Europe’s 14th largest supplier. The recent devaluation of the Turkish lira may have boosted exports, making Turkish products more affordable for European buyers.
As an Eastern European country, Poland also benefits from being located close to the Western European market. This allows suppliers to offer short delivery times. At the same time, labour is relatively affordable compared to Western Europe. Suppliers have a good understanding of the European consumer and have well-established and efficient production lines. In addition, products that are ‘Made in Europe’ are increasingly popular. This makes Poland an attractive alternative to China.
Poland increased its exports of agricultural or horticultural watering appliances to Europe, from €5.7 million in to €8.2 million in . This translates to a CAGR of 9.8, and makes Poland Europe’s 18th-largest supplier. Poland mainly competes in the more price-sensitive lower- and lower-middle ends of the market. Instead, you should focus on higher-end segments through sustainable materials, special design value, craftsmanship and the story behind your product. Make sure you offer a high level of service to build strong, lasting relationships.
With skilled labour and transport at competitive costs, India is well-positioned to take a bigger share of the market. Indian exports of agricultural or horticultural watering appliances to Europe grew from €1.1 million in to €1.6 million in , at a strong CAGR of 10%. This included a peak of €2.3 million in .
India has a rich craft culture, with an abundance of producers and easy access to various materials. This allows India to target higher market segments than China with its mass-produced products. India also increasingly offers an effective combination of handmade and mechanised production techniques. More and more Indian suppliers are complying with standards related to social and environmental sustainability and investing in relevant certifications and labels.
As it becomes more difficult for buyers to order short runs from China, India is becoming a popular alternative. Especially since European lifestyle buyers already source broad HDHT collections from India and one-stop-shopping is becoming increasingly possible.
The following companies are examples of the type of competition you face in the European market for watering cans.
Türkiye’s Aras Metal offers a wide range of galvanised metal products for the home and garden. Its artisans combine traditional artistry and craftsmanship with modern production techniques and designs. The company’s collection of watering cans includes both indoor and outdoor products in a variety of designs and finishes.
With its factory and showroom conveniently located close to both Istanbul’s airport and seaport, Aras Metal can benefit from relatively easy access to the European market. The company collaborates with Metal Recycles Forever to promote the recycling of their products. According to founder and CEO Anto Kosedag, ‘Crafting a sustainable future, one metal masterpiece at a time. That’s Aras Metal’s commitment.’
Vasap Design produces plant pots, (outdoor) accessories and furniture. The award-winning company focuses on the combination of design and sustainability. Their products are made from 100% recycled polyethylene and are developed in partnership with renowned Brazilian designers. As such, they ‘are a green solution for conscious consumers, a stylish solution for trendsetters, and an intelligent solution for anyone looking to transform their spaces’. Vasap Design estimates to have already removed > tonnes of trash from the environment by recycling bottle caps, packaging, market boxes, beer crates, toys and other plastic materials that otherwise would be discarded.
The company’s Flua watering cans are designed by Guto Índio da Costa, who also considers ‘the act of watering a plant […] an act of self-care’. With their sleek fluid design, they won an iF DESIGN AWARD in . The watering cans come in a range of colours, which may vary in tone due to the recycled character of the material.
Noah's Ark is an Indian handicraft business, specialising in metalcrafts in brass, iron and aluminium. The company offers ‘quality, ethically produced handmade products at competitive prices’. Their catalogue includes a variety of watering cans, but they can also produce custom designs upon request.
As a WFTO Fair Trade Guaranteed company, Noah’s Ark prides itself on its social responsibility. Their factory is also Sedex SMETA-certified, further supporting their commitment to ethical business practices. They pay fair wages (10-15% above local standards) and have created the Noah’s Ark Handicrafts & Artisan Welfare Society to support the artisans and their families. This NGO funds initiatives for clean water, sanitation, education, health, capacity building and women’s empowerment.
Competition for watering cans mostly comes from within the product category itself. Consumers can choose between various materials and designs, as well as between a focus on functionality or decorative value. Some gardeners may prefer to water their plants directly from the hose, if they are not too delicate. For indoor use, consumers may also simply use a drinking glass to water their plants or flowers.
Figure 6: Garden watering can design
Source: Born in Sweden @ YouTube
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Prices for watering cans vary across market segments. After adding logistics costs, wholesaler and retail margins and Value Added Tax (VAT), European consumer prices are about 4-6.5 times your selling price.
Table 1 gives an overview of watering can prices across market segments. Be aware that these are just an indication, since prices vary depending on technique, size, material, design, brand and other ways of value addition, including a strong sustainable concept.
Table 1: Indicative consumer prices of watering cans in Europe
Low-endMid-endHigh-endWatering can indoor€2-10€10-40€40 or more Watering can outdoor€8-18€18-50€50 or moreConsumer prices depend on the value perception of your product in a particular segment. This is influenced by your marketing mix.
Figure 7: Marketing mix – the 4 Ps
Source: Globally Cool, GO! Good Opportunity & Remco Kemper
The European consumer price of your watering cans is about 4-6.5 times your FOB price. In addition to energy, labour and transport costs, FOB prices depend heavily on the availability and cost of raw materials. Occasional cost increases are not directly passed on to the consumer, so they put pressure on margins in the supply chain. However, recent disruptions have resulted in longer-term cost increases. This continuing pressure made many retailers raise their consumer prices. When costs drop again, consumer prices may follow.
Consumer prices generally consist of:
Figure 8: Price breakdown indication for watering cans in the supply chain
Source: Globally Cool, GO! Good Opportunity & Remco Kemper
For example, in Table 2 the FOB price is set at €10. Depending on the segment for which your product is designed, the consumer price ranges from €41 (low-end) to €65.50 (high-end).
Table 2: Example of the price breakdown per market segment
Low marginMiddle marginHigh marginFOB price€10.00€10.00€10.00Your FOB priceTransport, handling charges, transport insurance, banking services (20/15/15%)+2.00
€12.00
+1.50
€11.50
+1.50
€11.50
Landed price for the wholesale importerWholesalers’ margins (50/75/90%)+6.00
€18.00
+8.60
€20.10
+10.40
€21.90
Selling price from the wholesale importer to the retailerRetailers’ margins (90/110/150%)+16.20
€34.20
+22.20
€42.30
+32.70
€54.60
Selling price excluding VAT from the retailer to the end consumerSelling price including VAT (20%)+6.80
€41.00
+8.50
€50.80
+10.90
€65.50
Selling price including VAT from the retailer to the end consumerThe FOB price of €10 includes your own margins. These depend on your efficiency and price setting. Margins in the lower segment are generally smaller than in the middle and higher segments.
Examples of consumer prices are:
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Globally Cool carried out this study in partnership withGO! GoodOpportunity and Remco Kemper on behalf of CBI.
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Watering cans are available as functional garden tools but also as home accessories – and they can even have multiple uses: for watering plants or as a vase.
Jeannette Wynia @ home goods store Nijhof
21 January
If you’re considering selling wholesale, you’re probably not the only one out there. It’s always been a consistently popular and profitable venture for those savvy enough to figure it out. With the rise of ecommerce, plenty more up-and-coming entrepreneurs are wondering how to become a wholesaler.
But even those already in the retail business may need help navigating the intricate wholesaling business. There’s no shame in it; while the basic principles are similar, figuring out how to become a wholesaler requires building different relationships and supply networks. You’ll need to build a complete infrastructure for your business from the ground up. That’s why we’ve put this guide together! Whether you’re just starting your wholesale journey or already well on your way, we’re confident you’ll find something useful.
First things first, though: what exactly does it mean to sell wholesale?
No matter who you are, you purchase most (if not all) of your belongings from various retailers, whether brick-and-mortar stores or online shops. At some point or another, you’ve probably wondered where those retailers get their products. The answer? Wholesalers. They act as middlemen between manufacturers and retailers, purchasing goods in bulk before reselling them to retailers at a markup.
That answer might raise more questions. Don’t manufacturers make the products? Why do retailers get their merchandise from wholesalers instead of directly from the manufacturers? As it turns out, there’s a few reasons.
Full-time manufacturers are just that: manufacturers. They spend their time doing a multitude of tasks to create the products they sell efficiently. Manufacturers have to establish supply lines, manage raw materials, and more. Finding individual retailers to sell products to is just one more thing to worry about. Selling directly to retailers would also mean manufacturers would need extremely robust logistics to accommodate delivering smaller shipments to more clients.
As we’ve mentioned, selling wholesale can be a bit complicated to get started. Here are some things you should consider before you start selling wholesale:
We said above that wholesalers sell to retailers. While that’s certainly the norm, selling wholesale directly to consumers is also a viable option for anyone looking into how to become a wholesaler. This is called direct-to-consumer, or D2C. Typically, there aren’t many of these because it puts a lot of strain on one party.
That being said, there are some benefits to selling wholesale D2C. Cutting out one of the go-betweens lowers the price that consumers pay. In theory, this means sellers can offer their products at a lower price. Offering lower prices then improves affordability, allowing them to sell to a broader audience.
In practice, though, this can be difficult. Having a good product is a small part of selling it. Product marketing is time-consuming and expensive. It’s usually best left to established retailers. Think of retail titans like WalMart. As a well-established brand, it naturally attracts more traffic than other chains.
Knowing how to become a wholesaler and implementing it are two very different things. Selling wholesale might seem simple, but there are some complexities to it. Managing relationships with business partners is important, but it’s just one part of the process.
You’ll have to manage the product flow and ensure each sale reaches the right place promptly. Organization is critical. Here are some things you can do when selling wholesale to keep your operation running smoothly.
We touched on this already, but it’s worth repeating. Choose your suppliers carefully. Unlike suppliers and retailers, wholesalers answer to both parties. Selling bad products to retailers reflects poorly on you. The same goes for missed shipments due to precarious supply chains. Make sure you choose suppliers that can deliver consistent quality products on time.
When you decide on a supplier, you should consider more than speed, cost, and reliability. For example, if you’re selling wholesale internationally, you may be required to have some knowledge of customs. Maintaining a supply line that works for you is a big part of becoming a wholesaler. It’s also a good idea to find alternative suppliers in the event your primary source runs into issues.
Awareness of your operation’s needs is essential to any business, and selling wholesale is no different. Since you’ll need ample room to store your product, sometimes you’ll have no choice but to expand your warehouse space. You can do this by either leasing a bigger space or getting a second location. In either case, tracking your product flow will be more complex the larger you scale.
Expanding your wholesale lineup is often the key to increased profits, but try to keep your offerings complimentary. For example, if you’re selling wholesale watering cans to a garden supply store, they may consider buying other gardening tools. If you decide to start offering watering cans and bicycle accessories, you will be forced to find new retailers rather than utilize the ones you already have.
The sheer amount of products wholesalers need to manage inherently makes things more complicated. So much so that keeping track of inventory with software is practically a requirement these days.
This is where inFlow shines. Our wholesale software was purpose-built for real-time inventory management, so you’ll be able to track your products across multiple locations easily. We’ve included loads of features to help automate all aspects of your business. For example, you can set up automatic reorder points for your products so inFlow will notify you once your inventory reaches a certain threshold.
Of course, inventory management software would only be complete with barcoding, so we included that, too! With our label designer, you can generate barcodes and create custom labels. From there, you can print them out and scan them right inside the software.
But our most impressive and talked-about feature among wholesalers is our B2B portal, inFlow Showroom. It can help you find and maintain customers and streamline payments for US and Canadian businesses.
And that’s it! Now you know how to become a wholesaler. The nuance of being a business-to-business (B2B), well, business is different from that of other businesses. Wow, that’s a lot of business, huh? Jokes aside, selling to retailers is different than selling to consumers. They have different needs, and it’s the wholesaler’s job to meet those needs. That’s really the key to selling wholesale.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Garden Sprayer Manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.