Global wholesaleHow to plan a first wholesale order for a small retail store
Plan a small store's first China wholesale order: narrow the assortment, check case packs, budget landed costs and prepare a useful RFQ.
Choose a shelf problem before choosing products
Define the customer, selling channel and shelf space you want the order to serve. A household basics display has different replenishment needs from a seasonal gift table. Use your own sales records, customer requests or a small merchandising trial to choose the initial assortment.
Separate core items you expect to replenish from experimental items. Give each SKU a spending ceiling and a reason to be included. Catalog availability is a starting point for an inquiry; it does not reserve stock or prove demand in your shop.
Translate the budget into valid quantities
Check MOQ, order increment and case pack separately. A quantity that meets the minimum can still be invalid if it does not follow the supplier's increment. Mixed products do not automatically share a combined MOQ.
For illustration only, a product quoted at $2 with a 48-unit case would require $96 for one case before freight, duties and other costs. If that uses too much of the trial budget, reduce the number of SKUs or ask for a different pack option; do not assume the supplier can split cartons.
Keep cash for the journey after the product price
Build a worksheet with goods value, local handling, export packing, freight, destination charges and applicable taxes. Record the quoted Incoterm and named place so you can see which costs are already included. Ask a broker about your destination's requirements using the exact product details.
Set a target retail price and allow for payment fees, damaged units, returns and unsold stock. A gross margin calculated from the factory price alone can overstate the cash available to run the store.
Send an RFQ that can be answered
Include exact SKUs, proposed quantities, destination country and postcode, target arrival date and any labeling or document needs. Ask the seller to confirm the current quantity, carton data, quote validity and shipment scope in writing.
Use the first delivery to compare the received goods and actual costs with the approved quote. Keep those results alongside sales performance before deciding what to reorder.
Your buying checklist
- One reason and a spending cap for each SKU
- Valid MOQ, increment and case-pack quantities
- Destination and delivery requirement in the RFQ
- A landed-cost estimate and cash reserve
- A review date based on actual sales