Food and Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers in Maine Key Terms

Learn terms that apply to food product distribution in Maine

Food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Maine keep your convenience or grocery store stocked with goods that sell in your community. You need your shelves replenished with the kinds of goods your customers want. You also want to take advantage of sales promotions offered by your food and beverage distributors and wholesalers, to keep your prices competitive and clear a profit. In addition, Maine has laws regulating food and beverage wholesalers that you should be aware of.

 

Replenishment

Replenishment refers to products that are re-stocked before you've actually run out of them. In retail, replenishment is an art. For instance, if you have a promotion on an item and it sells like mad, you may not need to restock the same amount once the promotion ends.
Try: Retail Process Engineering sells a management software system. It provides an excellent description of replenishment, including its importance in the whole scheme of retailing.

Maine Fair Packaging and Labeling Act

This act regulates how food for sale is labeled in Maine. It is similar to the federal law passed to ensure that consumers get accurate information about the food they buy. Food packaging in Maine must list accurate quantities and contents.
Try: You can read the Maine Fair Packaging and Labeling Act at the website maintained by the Maine Legislature.

Maine State Inspection Service

The Federal/State Inspection Service in Maine is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of food made in the state's processing plants. As in independent, unbiased body, the service can determine whether a plant is up to standard, which increases consumer confidence. Many plants submit to inspection voluntarily.
Try: The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources has more information on its inspection services.

Price breaks

A price break is a function of inventory and pricing. It refers to items bought in quantities at a lower cost.
Try: Micro Technology International is an inventory software company that describes price breaks.

Low-margin items

Low margin items, also known as low margin products, are items sold without a high profit margin. You need to sell a lot of low margin items to see a good return. It also limits the amount of money you have to spend on advertising these goods.
Try: Microsoft Office Online offers commentary on the pros and cons of selling low margin items.

Maine Division of Quality Assurance and Regulations

This is the state body responsible for enforcing state food safety codes. It inspects plants to ensure that the quantities listed on food packaging are accurately reported, and that the food supply is safely handled.
Try: See the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources for more information on the state's Quality Assurance program.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---