2. VENDOR RELATIONS
Vendor relations is also known as purchase order.
Here,the term vendor refers to the suppliers ,who supply the merchandise to the
retailers.
When the retailer finds the right merchandise he places an order by giving the
vendor or the vendor’s sales rep his Purchase Order,which is called as purchase
order.
3. NEED FOR VENDOR RELATIONS
The relationship you have with your vendor can have a large impact on your profit
and net income.
Knowing how to develop a relationship with your suppliers so that they are
responsive to your store's needs will help ensure your company's success.
4. ADVANTAGES OF STRONG VENDOR
RELATIONS
Strong vendor relationships are important to any retail businesses, but especially
to smaller companies.
One advantage big-box retailers and other large corporate chains have is
bargaining power, which lets them negotiate better prices with vendors.
While small businesses can't get the price benefits of a big box retailer, they can
still build strong relationships with vendors to give them a leg up on the
competition.
5. PRICE
Building a good vendor relationship means being consistent with your orders,
doing a good job of selling the vendor's product, and being on time with your
payments.
When you establish the kind of relationship a vendor can depend on, he is more
likely to give you a discount on his products.
In this respect, vendors and retailers aren't just buyer and seller -- they are partners
in delivering value to the end customer.
6. FLEXIBILITY
Despite the efforts of vendors and retailers to build a well-planned, systematic
supply chain with predictable ordering and delivery schedules, things change.
Increased customer demand at the store level means you need vendors who can
adjust quickly to get additional products out the door to you.
If your relationship is strong, it is easier for you to make a call and get a vendor to
act quickly.
7. QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS
Part of serving the end customer's needs is delivering a quality product that
exceeds expectations. Sometimes, products have flaws or defects that need to be
corrected or replaced altogether.
. While vendors normally have to make the adjustments, it is retailers who tend to
hear the most feedback from customers.
With a strong vendor relationship, you should be able to take customer wants and
needs to your suppliers and encourage them to respond quickly to changing
customer demands.
8. CUSTOMIZATION
Strong vendor relationships help your business offer more customized products.
Book retailers, for example, may not have certain books in stock. But they can help
customers search vendor directories, process an order and receive it within a short
period of time.
By syncing computers with a vendor, you both can share customer and inventory
data to best meet the needs of everyone.
9. INNOVATION
Suppliers can make major contributions to your new product development.
Remember, they live their product more than you do; they're working to be on the
cutting edge of innovation for their product.
10. FINANCE
If you've proven to be a considerate, loyal and paying customer, you may be able
to tap into your suppliers for additional financing once you hit growth mode--or if
you run into a cash crunch.
That financing may take the form of postponed debt, extended terms on new
purchases, a loan, or an investment in your company.
All of these improve your cash position
11. HOW TO BE A VALID CUSTOMER
In order to be a valued customer to your suppliers, here are a few things you
should do:
Always pay on time: Pay your bills on time! You can negotiate for favorable
payment terms before you place an order, but once the order is placed, don't
renege or attempt to change the rules. If you can't, call up your suppliers and tell
them why and when you will pay. Don't play games with suppliers' cash. You'll be
absolutely amazed at the goodwill and benefits you will earn by observing this
simple rule.
12. Provide adequate lead times; Try to give suppliers as much lead time as possible
on your orders. Unless there's a compelling, competitive reason not to, share with
them an honest projection of your needs and keep them abreast of any significant
changes in that estimation. When developing your lead times, it helps to be
knowledgeable about your suppliers' production methods and needs.
Personalize the relationship; Visit suppliers' offices. While you're at it, include
them in some of your strategy meetings. Invite them to break bread and invite
them to your office parties and picnics.
13. Share information; Keep the good suppliers aware of what's going on in your
company. Tell them about changes in key personnel, new products, special
promotions and so on. Many times, you'll find that good suppliers can be help you
find new customers.
14. CONCLUSION
Developing good relationships with suppliers is not a complicated process. Be
communicative, treat them fairly, be demanding (coupled with loyalty) and pay
them on time. It's that easy.