The best catalogs are now digital and integrated with live warehouse data. There is nothing more frustrating than placing a bulk order only to find out the item is "out of stock" via a post-purchase email. 2. Detailed Product Specifications
The modern consumer landscape is diverse, and a robust catalog reflects that. Look for distributors that offer depth in the following areas: consumer distributors catalog
The catalog was heavy on "hard goods"—items that were durable, brand-name, and easy to warehouse. The best catalogs are now digital and integrated
Instead of managing fifty different invoices, a distributor catalog allows you to source multiple categories from one place, drastically reducing administrative overhead. | Component | Description | |-----------|-------------| | |
| Component | Description | |-----------|-------------| | | Full-color, thick (100–300 pages), published 1–2 times per year. Listed products with item numbers, descriptions, and prices. | | Ordering | By phone, mail, or in-person at showroom kiosk. | | Showroom | Small retail space with display models. No over-the-counter inventory. | | Warehouse | Centralized or regional warehouses fulfilled orders. Items were brought from back stock to pickup counter. | | Pricing | Below MSRP, often 10–30% off department store prices. No sales staff commissions. |