One of the main criteria for a good distribution partner is its knowledge of the local market. Be it regional, national or international, a distribution company must have a strong affinity with your European target market. Consequently, the true worth of a distributor lies in its database of existing and potential clients.
A European distributor may have a regional, a national or a pan-European market potential. Each of these levels has its pros and cons. A regional distributor has less reach than a national or international player and might, therefore, not have enough market potential for your products. On the other hand, these regional distributors usually have a more refined knowledge of the local market than their national and international counterparts.
Consequently, the best choice is not necessarily to partner with a pan–European distributor. It could well be more profitable, for your company, to work with a range of distribution partners dotted all over Europe. Not to mention that it could be extremely lucrative to focus solely on the emerging economic regions of Europe and opt for a distribution company in Central or eastern Europe.
A wide range of distributors
There are several different types of distributors. You could partner with:
- A sales representative
- An agent
- A franchisee
Sales representatives and agents can offer you a mono-card service, meaning that they only sell your products, or a multi-card service, meaning that they also work for other companies. Mono-cards are usually more dedicated: they will prefer a closer co-operation than multi-cards and will, as a result, be more manageable.
Each of them has its own typical characteristics and legislation. Obviously, all of them have their advantages and their disadvantages. In reality, the key factor in your search for the right distributor is your business strategy. Which guarantees do you expect? How much responsibility do you want to bear in your sales activities? How easily do you want to be able to cancel the contract? These and other questions are of crucial importance to making the right choice.
How to find the right distributor?
Finding the right European distributor is no easy task: it is very hard to spot the ultimate business partner in this fiercely competitive market. Which kind of distributor do you need? Should you work with an agent or with a sales representative instead? And what should be his location? Also, is one distributor enough or do you need more than one? The right choice is linked to all these questions.
The answers to these questions, though, require a stock-in-trade knowledge of the market in general and a refined view on the European distribution sector. NiHaoOuZhou gives you the requisite insight and business intelligence to help you in your quest.
We never deliver standardized solutions. Hence, we guarantee the right match by offering your company a personalized solution in 4 easy steps:
- We listen to your story and your chosen business strategy.
- We rigorously screen the European distribution market, according to your particular requirements.
- We advise and inform you on the different options and on current and future legislation.
- You can then make the best, well-deliberated choice.
Our services
Our Marketing Services
Thanks to our intimate knowledge of the European market, we can give you a close insight into the European market. Our smart
Marketing Services include:
- Our Dedicated Market Scan enables you to screen the European Market.
- Our Dedicated Market Entry is a practical sales guideline that generates tailor-made, market data.
- Our Dedicated Market Update gives you an updated view on your current sales activities, which helps you to choose the right distributor.
Our Matchmaking Services
Our vast experience and our extensive network of companies allow us to deliver the information and the business contacts you’re looking for. With our highly personalized
Matchmaking Services, we guarantee to match you up with the right distributor.
