One interesting result from the survey on the weekend of newsagents about sales reps was the strong desire for an online alternative to in-store rep visits.
In other results, 49.1% of respondents say reps are not so important, and 9.4% say reps are not important at all. 31.1% say reps waste their time. 44.3% want to see more reps but in new product areas: gifts, plush and toys.
I created the survey because of the considerable cost of sales reps to supplier businesses and that this cost is unique to the independent retail channel. Suppliers to our larger competitors tend to not have this cost and this can result in our competitors getting better prices than us. I think we need to move to a situation with fewer reps and part of a cost saving exercise for suppliers and a margin improving exercise for newsagents.
Click here for a copy of the survey results.
I had a new rep in today from Kormico which was great as she went thru all their products and gave me a login to reorder before next visit if needed.
This was one company on my list to contact but I still hadn’t got around to, so I was happy she called and we placed an order.
Then I had a rep call from a company that we purchase from already (I purchase online) and all she did was flick thru pages on their website which was a total waste of my time as I can do that myself.
Just had a REp go off at my wife because she didn’t have time to listin to his sales pitch . I wasn’t there but I would like to speak to him , she didn’t catch his business name but was selling cards and stationary , if anyone has his contact details it would be good if you can pass them on , he was selling today between cairns and Townsville