In the food industry wholesale, there are probably a variety of "troublesome" tasks involved.
Product prices and payment methods vary for each supplier, and for companies that handle a huge number of products, inventory management and shipping operations are complicated.
Additionally, in the food industry, many products have expiration dates, and in the case of fresh foods, it is important to respond quickly to customer orders and deliver the products.
"EC sites" can streamline the issues mentioned above, and the number of companies introducing them has been on the rise recently.
However, unless you have experience with e-commerce sites, there are many things you won't know, and some people in charge may feel anxious.
This article explains B2B e-commerce websites for the food industry. It is recommended for those who want to know the following points:
- Functions required for B2B EC sites in the food industry
- Examples of B2B EC sites in the food industry
- Points to consider when requesting a production company
If you are considering starting an e-commerce website, please take a look.
Related article: Special feature on success stories of BtoB (wholesale/corporate) EC sites and key points for success
Important functions for B2B (wholesale and ordering) EC sites in the food industry
Ability to change prices (rates) for each client
In BtoB, the price (markup rate) of products varies for each business partner. This also applies when building an EC site for BtoB. For important customers, set prices on the EC site lower than other companies. In addition, detailed settings such as shipping fees, sale information, and discount rates are also required.
Payment function
Having a variety of payment methods can help increase sales. In addition to credit cards and bank transfers, there are payment methods such as deferred payment and cash on delivery. For B2B payments, it is recommended that the "deferred payment" function is also included.
Membership Features
If product prices and discount rates differ for each business partner, the site will be operated as a closed site rather than an open site. In that case, you will need to set IDs and passwords so that only specific personnel can access the site.
Additionally, on closed sites, it is necessary to implement a repeat order function that allows customers to select and pay for products from their purchase history or "favorites" screen, allowing for a smoother purchase experience.
Function to issue invoices and other documents
The main objective of building a B2B e-commerce site is to improve business efficiency and reduce labor costs.
In wholesale sales with large transactions, it is necessary to exchange a large number of quotations, invoices, delivery notes, and bills with customers. This function can also be said to be essential for improving business efficiency.
Food industry BtoB (wholesale/corporate) EC site examples
Preco.net (Pleco Foods)
Image credit: Preco.net
Preconet is a B2B e-commerce site operated by Preco Foods Co., Ltd. that handles a wide range of fresh foods, including vegetables, meat, and fish. It offers over 8,000 products and delivers fresh ingredients to over 20,000 restaurants, hospitals, schools, hotels, etc. It also handles orders from privately owned stores.
Site Features
Preconet was founded as a meat dealer, and can also accommodate requests for specific meat slicing methods and thicknesses. In addition, the site has the following features that make ordering smooth:
- You can view product information and place orders using the web catalog function.
- You can place your order immediately by going to "Order List" from "For repeat customers" on the top page.
- When you press the order button at the top left of your My Page, a list of items you have ordered will be displayed and you can make your purchase.
- You can check out new products and special sale information in the "Pickup" category on your My Page.
Kokubu Net Wholesale (Kokubu Co., Ltd.)
Image source: Kokubu Net Wholesale
Kokubu Corporation, which operates Kokubu Net Wholesale, is a long-established company founded in 1712 that sells food and miscellaneous goods wholesale. They handle a huge range of over 16,000 products, including beverages, processed foods, snacks, alcohol, vegetables, daily necessities, and nursing care products. They sell their products not only to retail stores and kiosks, but also to businesses such as elderly care facilities, child care facilities, and lodging facilities.
We ship to anywhere in Japan, and can deliver products as soon as two days after the order date. We also accept small orders. Payment methods include cash on delivery, credit card, and Kuroneko deferred payment.
Site Features
You need to register as a member to order products, but you can check product prices even before registering. There is a lot of information on how to purchase products and on the "Frequently Asked Questions" page, making this a user-friendly site.
In addition, the Kokubu Net Wholesale website has the following features:
- You can purchase products at any time from the smartphone-only website.
- You can save your favorite products in "My Box" and easily purchase them later.
Foods Fridge (Foods Fridge Co., Ltd.)
Image source: Foodfridge
Foods Fridge is an e-commerce site that sells commercial food ingredients at wholesale prices, mainly to restaurants. It sells about 1,200 frozen foods, totaling more than 3,200 items. In addition to Fuji Fridge's six private brands, it also sells products from other companies such as Maruha Nichiro, Morinaga, and Mizkan.
Since there is no minimum order quantity, you can purchase the ingredients you need efficiently and in the appropriate quantities.
Site Features
In addition to the usual web form for registering as a member, there is also a comprehensive account linking system for LINE, Amazon, etc. Another feature is the use of various SNS such as LINE, Facebook, and Instagram to transmit information.
Payment methods accepted are credit card, cash on delivery, Amazon Pay, and Portia PAY (payment after invoice).
Sommelier Wine Purchasing.com (Twenty-One Community Co., Ltd.)
Image source: Sommelier Wine Purchasing.com
Sommelier Wine Purchasing.com is a wine wholesale and sales website operated by Twenty One Community Co., Ltd. We import directly from wineries around the world, including France, Italy, Spain, and Chile, and provide products to customers with reduced middleman margins and sales costs.
Site Features
The site is divided into detailed categories such as wine type and production area, making it a highly searchable e-commerce site.
The "User Guide" page is packed with detailed information, such as the benefits of registering as a member, support for suppliers, and the steps from registering as a member to placing an order, making it a distinctive site with extensive content.
Furthermore, the "Frequently Asked Questions" page is divided into four main categories: membership registration, shipping, payment, and ordering. By providing detailed information to users in advance, the company has made an effort to reduce the number of inquiries.
PROTOOLS (Suntory Marketing & Commerce Limited)
Image credit: PROTOOLS
PROTOOLS is a wholesale sales site operated by Suntory Marketing & Commerce Limited that handles alcoholic beverage related products. It mainly sells glasses and commercial equipment to restaurants and liquor stores at wholesale prices. It has shifted from the traditional sales method (ordering by phone or fax from a catalog) to sales via an EC site.
Site Features
The PROTOOLS website is a closed site, and you need to set up an account to order products. However, you can find out the product prices even before logging in.
Another attractive feature is that you can easily search for the product you want by setting detailed conditions such as product specifications and size.
In addition, PROTOOLS has the following features:
- You can check new product information and best-selling rankings at any time from the top page.
- The "Frequently Asked Questions" section provides detailed information on how to order products, including explanations of each product's specifications (capacity), etc.
Points to consider when requesting a development company for a BtoB EC site for the food industry
You should use an e-commerce cart specifically for B2B
Building an original e-commerce site from scratch takes a huge amount of time and money.
Therefore, we recommend introducing an EC cart specifically for BtoB.
An e-commerce cart designed specifically for BtoB will come equipped with all the functions required for a BtoB website, such as inventory management, customer management, and logistics integration, allowing for a smooth launch.
If you want to launch an e-commerce site while keeping costs as low as possible, consider an e-commerce cart designed specifically for BtoB.
Since this is a specialized industry, pay attention to the track record of the production company
In the food industry, B2B (wholesale) requires unique methods of inventory management, sales, and distribution, so it is best to outsource to a production company with experience building e-commerce sites for B2B in the food industry.
Since development needs to be carried out with the necessary functions and points in mind, be sure to check carefully what kind of track record the company has before placing an order.
Understanding of the food industry is a plus
It would be even better if the production company not only has a track record of production, but also has a good understanding of the wholesale distribution system and business practices in the food industry.
Many products in the food industry have expiration dates, so it is important to deliver the products to the customer as quickly as possible after an order is placed. Therefore, the key to efficiently running business operations is to automate the in-house systems for orders, logistics, delivery, and payment through a B2B e-commerce site.
In addition, wholesalers are also required to meet the requests of the food purchasers. For example, in the case of fresh food, the purchaser may request the processing method of meat or fish, or in the case of vegetables and fruits, the appearance characteristics. In this way, the key to increasing sales is to be able to understand the needs of customers and sell products accordingly.
【summary】
Because the food industry is a specialized industry, if you are building a BtoB e-commerce site, we recommend that you commission a production company that has a thorough understanding of the inner workings of the food industry and has a proven track record in building BtoB e-commerce sites for the food industry.
We have a track record of operating EC sites for companies in many different industries in Japan. We can also provide support for EC site construction, operation support, and consulting. Please feel free to contact us.
