Buying Services
I have worked as a wine buyer for 17 years sourcing and selecting wine for independent retail and wholesale businesses. I have come to understand the market well, have good wine knowledge and an address book of trusted contacts to call on.
I have worked with agents and winemakers who produce amazing and unique wines and have learned a great deal about what it takes to convey their message to customers in a way that makes them want to buy. Today I use my experience and knowledge to advise and assist independent wine companies and other specialist businesses.
Of course, there's much more to buying than simply looking at price. Here are a few tips I find useful when buying. Together we could examine and explore these aspects to refine your range of products and your offers and help you sell more.
Read on for my essential buying tips or go straight to my contact page if you already have a particular project in mind.
Getting your product right
It doesn't matter what size your business is, what you sell is at its core. Getting your product right is of paramount importance. You will need to look at….
- Pricing – getting the right breadth and balance
- Positioning – giving your range personality
- Improving your profit margins, even on special offers
- Looking at alternatives to brands
- Responding to trends and fashions
- Finding products your customers want to buy
- Limited and special release products and how they can make your offer more desirable
- Increasing the quality of your range without losing turnover
- The challenge of exciting but risky products versus the comfort of easy-to-sell, safe bets
- Building partnerships with your suppliers and making full use of their support
Promoting your products
In any competitive market it's vital for specialists to find inventive ways to encourage customers to choose what they have to offer. You could try…
- Finding innovative ways to handle special offers
- Giving your customers information about your products that will entice them to buy
- Adding vitality and variety with competitions, features and events
- Writing effective copy for your brochure, price lists and newsletters
- Creating a ‘club’ to sell products of exceptional interest
- Explaining what makes your product special so that customers understand/ to get a positive response
- Increasing turnover of your premium products
- Creating displays and point of sale material that will draw customers to your product
If you are planning a range review or a rethink about how you present and promote your products, I will be able to offer you plenty of fresh, constructive ideas. I can help you work out the best course of action for your business and I can help you take it.
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about how I can provide you with practical buying advice and help to drive your business forward, please use the online contact form to get in touch.