Choosing the right food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in New Mexico is essential for convenience and grocery store owners. Buying from a NM food wholesaler is a highly competitive business with high customer expectations and complex factors that affect product replenishment.

A food distributor in NM must allow you to implement proper inventory management. This is especially important in maintaining profitability on low-margin items where knowledge of customer buying patterns is critical when choosing food distributors. Distribution from a food wholesaler in NM can be further complicated by promotions, seasonal availability and the large differences between wholesale and resale purchase units.

When selecting one of the food distributors in New Mexico, choose one that will increase your bottom line by allowing you to do the following:

1. Maintain your stock levels to prevent lost sales by minimizing the impact of excessive shrinkage and expiration. Reliable delivery, therefore, is crucial for determining the optimum order quantity and re-order point.

2. Save on shipping costs through advance replenishment, order consolidation and optimized price breaks. This will help you plan promotions and other sales-related events.

3. Increase customer retention and service levels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find major New Mexico food wholesalers

Some food and beverage wholesalers cover most of the country and usually cater to grocery store chains. However, they also may be able to deliver to regional franchises and independent stores.

I recommend: Sysco is a leading supplier of food, preparation and serving items. A clickable map on Sysco's website displays its locations throughout the United States and Canada. US Foodservice provides food and related products primarily to restaurants. You can select a region of the United States on its website to display specific locations within that region.

Purchase food wholesale from regional New Mexico food distributors

Regional suppliers usually serve smaller businesses in second-tier markets. They may also distribute gourmet and other specialty food items.

I recommend: Italco Food Products is a specialty food distributor for customers in Colorado and New Mexico. Labatt Foods Service distributes food and related products to restaurants and grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Select local independent New Mexico beverage distribution companies

Local distributors can provide more personalized service to smaller convenience and grocery store owners. This additional time and attention can create a business relationship not found with larger distributors.

I recommend: Premier Distributing has six locations in New Mexico and sells Budweiser and other specialty beers. Desert Eagle Distributing of New Mexico is in Roswell and sells Anheuser-Busch products in southeastern New Mexico.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Identify any particular buying habits of your customers. For example, if your store caters to a particular ethnic group, you will want to use food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in New Mexico that specializes in foods from that ethnic group. Many wholesalers also specialize in a particular type of food such as ice cream, cookies or chips.