🤝 Be the supplier every retailer wants!

👋 Hi Neighbor,

🎵 It’s a beautiful day in Vendorville!

In Mister Rogers' world, being a good neighbor meant being kind, dependable, and willing to help. The same is true in the supplier-retailer relationship, but add in the complications of compliance, contracts, fluctuating demand, and tight deadlines—it’s not always so simple…

So, let's button up our coziest cardigans and take a look at how to navigate these complexities and build stronger, more reliable retail relationships!

🏡 Keeping things neighborly with your retailer(s)

You may never feel ⬆️ this warm and fuzzy about your retailer(s), but there are fairly simple steps you can take to build a stronger, more reliable partnership:

✅ Answer the door (or, in this case, your email)

Just like ignoring a neighbor's knock can be awkward, failing to respond to compliance issues, post-audit claims, or retailer inquiries can strain relationships.

Retailers appreciate fast, clear communication—and resolving issues quickly can prevent long-term headaches. Even if your retailers don't always extend the same courtesy, maintaining a track record of quick, professional responses shows reliability and can work in your favor when negotiating resolutions or future agreements.

🤝 Related Learnings: How To Communicate with Your Merchant Team

✅ Keep your yard clean

No one likes a messy neighbor—and in the supplier world, that means staying organized! Keep your documentation in order, especially your EDI mapping, to ensure smooth transactions and prevent unnecessary disputes.

Retailers rely on accurate data for orders, shipments, and invoices, so outdated or incorrect information can lead to chargebacks, delays, or compliance issues. Regularly review your EDI mappings, item setups, and shipping details to keep everything in tip-top shape.

🤝 Related Learnings: How to Fix EDI Errors and Avoid Fines

✅ Respect the house rules

Every retailer has its own compliance expectations—ignoring them doesn't make them go away! It's important to stay up-to-date on OTIF requirements, chargeback policies, packaging standards, shipping guidelines, etc., to avoid costly penalties and keep your partnership running smoothly.

Not sure where to start? Check out our compliance and deduction guides:

Retailer News 🗞️

CNN
Walgreens is going private in an up to $24 billion deal
“Walgreens Boots Alliance is being taken private in a deal valued up to $23.7 billion.”

Grocery Dive
Kroger posts mixed Q4 results as it begins search for new CEO
“The company plans to consider internal and external candidates to replace former chief executive Rodney McMullen, Chairman and interim CEO Ronald Sargent told investors Thursday.”

SPS Commerce
How to grow a healthy supply chain in the food and beverage industry
“Food and beverage industry suppliers need reliable, responsive supply chains to be successful.”

⭐ Rick’s Tips ⭐

“You know what makes for a bad neighbor? Stepping onto someone else's lawn—or in the supplier world, infringing on another brand's rights. If your brand is registered with Walmart, you can submit a brand infringement claim. Simply go to Supplier One > Items and Inventory > Brand Registration to submit your claim.”

👋 Meet Your Vendorville Neighbors

By now, you are well aware that the SupplierWiki team loves a good game, meme, or trend. Well, we recently discovered this portrait maker called Notion Faces and couldn’t pass on the opportunity to share ours!

Make your own face at: faces.notion.com!

With ♥️,
SupplierWiki