Are you a small consumer electronics product brand who’s trying to figure out how to sell to Best Buy? If so, you are not alone.
Best Buy is the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the US for consumer electronics, which is why thousands of brands attempt to get their products in the company’s stores every year. In the end, only a handful of vendors will cross the finish line and be placed on Best Buy’s shelves.
Why do some brands make the cut while others are, well, cut? To answer this question, you need to understand the thinking of retail executives. Here’s what you need to know.
Reasons Brands Aren’t Invited to Sell in Best Buy
When you’re competing against hundreds or thousands of brands, you need to understand why some companies don’t make the cut. Here are some reasons businesses aren’t seeing their products on Best Buy’s shelves:
- Lack of appeal to customers. Buyers don’t want to be the guinea pig for companies that haven’t tested their products on the market. If you don’t have a track record of sales, you’re less likely to be attractive to big-box stores such as Best Buy.
- Poor sales presentation. Buyers such as Best Buy don’t appreciate vendors coming into sales pitches unprepared. They see this as a waste of their time and, if you’re unprepared, it will be a waste of your time, too.
- Ineffective packaging. If your packaging doesn’t communicate what the product offers to the consumer, your unprofessional packaging design will likely leave you dead in the water before you even get started.
- Incorrect suggested retail price. You need to make sure you’re not overestimating (or underestimating) how much Best Buy will pay for your products, especially when you consider how much their consumers will be willing to pay.
Do You Need to Contact Best Buy’s Merchandising Department?
The short answer is no.
In today’s world, you don’t need to reach Best Buy’s merchandising department to find your brand on the stores’ shelves. There are distributors, sales reps, and even consultants like Retailbound that can help get your brand in front of the correct merchandising contact at Best Buy. Be mindful, however, that there are specific rules you need to adhere to before Best Buy will consider featuring your brand in its stores.
Within Best Buy’s terms of service, you’ll find all the rules you’re expected to follow. This includes certain social compliance standards, product safety and quality assurance standards that all featured businesses must meet. You’ll be expected to meet a strict set of labor and human rights policies, for example, ensuring that your products aren’t created from sweatshops in third-world countries that exploit workers.
Understanding Best Buy’s Systems
Best Buy will not allow you to be a vendor if you cannot accept electronic funds transfers with the company’s AP team, especially if you’re a domestic partner. You’ll be required to use electronics data interchanges to receive purchase orders. If you’re not able to do so, you’ll likely be out of the running before you even get going.
Best Buy doesn’t use paper purchase orders. In today’s world, the company operates electronically and expects its vendors to follow suit. Beyond electronic transfers, you should also consider joining Best Buy’s drop-shipping program.
Becoming a Best Buy Supplier
Fortunately, it’s as easy as it’s ever been to apply to be a supplier at Best Buy. Here are a few tips that can help you get your foot in the door:
- Network: Harness the powers of LinkedIn and cold calling, so merchandisers can get to know you and your company long before your application lands on their desks.
- Browse: Spend your free time browsing your local Best Buy store and figuring out in which aisle your products might be placed. If you have the opportunity, talk to a manager and ask if he or she thinks there’s a place in the market for your items.
- Partner: Hire a company like Retailbound that can help you pursue this challenge, which can otherwise seem quite daunting. Third-party companies can help take the stress out of the process and apply long-term, first-hand experience to your personal project.
Are You a Good Fit for Best Buy?
Not everyone is a good fit for Best Buy, but it’s always a good idea to gauge your level of suitability before you begin your application. Take a look at these suggestions before you dig any deeper into your application:
- Read Best Buy’s Rules of Use, which explains the company’s expectations of you as a potential vendor
- Understand Best Buy’s Vendor Code of Conduct
- Make sure you can use EDI to receive purchase orders
- Have your certificate of insurance at your disposal, in case it’s requested
- Meet eligibility requirements for drop shipping
What Else Do You Need to Know to Sell to Best Buy?
Now that you know the basics, here are a few other things to pay attention to:
Social Media
Your social media platforms perform as digital business cards. The more pristine and professional they are, the better your brand will look to Best Buy and other big-box retailers.
Take time to check in on your pages and make sure they’re updated. Be sure all the links work properly, that your profile is relevant and that you’re posting consistently (using keywords where appropriate).
Packaging
Retail can be a whole different animal, especially if you’re used to selling solely through online channels. Your product needs to physically stand out on the shelf, so you’ll need to be a little creative with your packaging.
Volume
If you’re accepted into Best Buy’s inventory, you should be ready to ramp up your production process right away. You need to understand what this will look like for your company and have a strategy in place, so you cover your new volume of sales.
You Can Do It!
If you have the right product at the right price with the right packaging, you could develop a great relationship with Best Buy. However, if you need some assistance, turn to the experts at Retailbound. We have plenty of experience with large retailers, and we’ll be happy to help you succeed! Send us an email at info@retailbound.com or call at 1-630-246-4068.
Navigating the retail landscape can be challenging, but with Retailbound Vision, you’re never alone. Our retail in-store audits are designed to enhance your brand visibility, optimize inventory levels, and improve overall retail execution. We don’t just gather data; we analyze it and provide you with actionable recommendations that can drive your business forward. With Retailbound Vision, you gain clarity and control in the complex world of brick-and-mortar retail.
