2 Hacks You Can Steal to Help Your Wholesale Operations

We talk to wholesale brands all the time, and they often share some of the special practices that have helped their businesses. Sometimes some these hack are so good we feel the need to share.  

Normally we’d share just one of these. 

But today, we want to share two hacks, one from Sanuk and one from L*Space.

One is a more broad hack that takes advantage of start dates for product deliveries and the other is a hack that anyone using RepSpark will want to know to save them countless hours with digital catalogs. 

Hack 1: Maximizing Early Shipments

In wholesale ordering, retailers often set a start date and a cancel date for product deliveries. The start date is when they expect the products to begin arriving, while the cancel date is the deadline after which they no longer want to receive the shipment.

The Sanuk Strategy

Sanuk, a well-known footwear brand, adopted the mantra: "Start Date Is the Only Date." 

How It Worked

As soon as products arrived at their warehouse, Sanuk didn't wait until the start date. They proactively contacted retail locations to ask if they could ship the products early.

They assured retailers that their net 30 payment terms would still commence from the original start date, providing financial flexibility.

Retailers received products ahead of schedule, allowing them to stock shelves sooner and begin selling to consumers before competitors.

The Results

• Increased Reorders: By the time the original start date arrived, products were already selling well, leading to refills and at-once orders from retailers.
• Better Relationships: This proactive approach built stronger partnerships with retailers, showcasing Sanuk's commitment to their success.
• Boosted Sales: Early product availability translated into higher sales volumes and better market penetration.

How You Can Steal This Hack

• Communicate with Retailers: Talk to your retailers to see if early shipments are acceptable.
• Maintain Flexible Payment Terms: Offer terms that respect the original agreement while providing added value.
• Monitor Inventory Levels: Be prepared to fulfill reorders promptly to capitalize on early sales momentum.

Hack 2: Customized Catalogs for Regional Appeal

For brands like those in the swimwear industry, regional preferences play a significant role in product popularity.

Different cuts, styles, and designs resonate with consumers in various locations—from Hawaii and Texas to Ohio, Florida, and even international markets like South America.

Digital catalogs within RepSpark allow you to showcase curated product lists, and L*Space took that one-step further by creating a template that allowed them to quickly tailor curated catalogs for specific markets. 

The L*Space Strategy

L*Space began with one comprehensive digital catalog featuring their entire product line.

How It Worked

The brand then developed specialized sub-catalogs tailored to specific regions or markets. They adjusted product selections to match regional preferences and designed distinct catalog covers that appeal to each target market.

The Results 

• Quick Adaptation: L*Space is able to easily spin up new catalogs in response to market feedback or emerging trends.
• Enhanced Relevance: L*Space provides sales reps and retailers with materials that resonate with their specific customer base.
• Improved Sales Performance: L*Space’s tailored assortments are more likely to convert, leading to increased orders and customer satisfaction.

How You Can Steal This Hack

• Invest in Digital Catalog Tools: A platform like RepSpark allows for easy creation and modification of digital catalogs.
• Collaborate with Sales Teams: Gather insights from those on the ground to inform catalog content.
• Monitor Market Trends: Stay attuned to regional fashion trends and consumer behaviors.

If you'd like to learn more about how our platform can help your wholesale business, reach out for a 1-on-1 chat.