Large Chain Retailers???

[gringolerdo]

Hi All,
I have a few questions for you all,
Has anyone had experience or knows about how large chain retailers work for example Wal-Marts? We have started our own Import company in Germany and we wish to have Wal-Marts and other Large Chain Retailers stock our products. I understand that in Germany it will differ but how is it in USA? What do those chains look for and how hard would it be to tap into those so-called large retailers. Does the chain care about the size of the company, turnover, product demand???, or simply if they like the product then done or is there more to it?
I have a product, which I have imported and wanted Wal-Mart and other chains to stock it but I’m a little hesitant to approach them yet, correction we have contacted one large Chain so far they replied and told us to send info to them price and all, then they will let us know. Why Im a little hesitant at this point in time because our company isn’t very large yet and that could be the key point why Wal-mart or any large chain mightn’t be interested to deal with us. Should I wait to build up the company first or go for the large chains first?
Has anyone sold products on Amazon? If yes then how did you go? And what do you think about selling products on Amazon?

Ron.P

E-commerce business:
www.motoroelshop.de

Holden Special Vehicles Forum:
www.hsvforum.com.au

[veljad]

My understanding is that Walmart (and other large megastores) have single-source wholesalers that provide most of their product. Walmart's pharmacy for example buys all of their product from a single wholesaler. So if you want your product at Walmart, you have have to sell to the wholesaler first.

[gringolerdo]

Interesting thanks for that info,, I thought this might be so, but interesting note that the large chain we did contact here in Germany didn’t mention this and told us just to send the product info to them and we will see, because if the chain was purchasing from a large wholesalers then he would of told us or maybe the marketing group looks at the product likes it then tell us to contact their major wholesaler and then we deal with them directly....???????