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Buying products in bulk can be a great way for businesses to reduce costs, secure stock and simplify purchasing.
But ordering 5,000 units isn't quite the same as ordering 50.
As quantities increase, factors such as unit pricing, minimum order quantities, storage, lead times, delivery costs and supplier capacity become increasingly important.
Whether you're buying products for resale, an event, a promotion or simply for use within your organisation, there are several things worth considering before placing a large order.
Bulk buying simply means purchasing a larger quantity of a product in a single order.
There's no fixed quantity that makes something a "bulk order". For one product it might mean 100 units, while for another it could mean 10,000 or more.
The important difference is that larger quantities can often open up different pricing and sourcing options compared with smaller everyday purchases.
There are several potential advantages.
Lower unit costs
One of the biggest reasons businesses purchase in larger quantities is price.
Suppliers and manufacturers can often offer better unit pricing as quantities increase.
However, it's important to look at the total cost of the order, rather than the unit price alone.
Fewer orders to manage
Ordering larger quantities can reduce how frequently products need to be reordered.
This can mean fewer purchase orders, invoices and deliveries to manage.
Better stock availability
If a product is essential to your business, holding additional stock can reduce the risk of running out at an inconvenient time.
Bespoke options
Larger quantities can also make custom manufacturing or branding more practical.
Depending on the product, manufacturers may offer custom colours, printed logos, bespoke packaging or other modifications once certain order quantities are reached.
When buying in bulk, you'll often come across the term MOQ, which stands for Minimum Order Quantity.
This is simply the smallest quantity a supplier or manufacturer is prepared to sell or manufacture in a single order. For example, a manufacturer might have an MOQ of:
MOQs can vary considerably depending on the product and how it's manufactured.
A completely bespoke product is likely to have a higher minimum quantity than an existing product that's already being manufactured regularly.
Usually, larger quantities can reduce the cost per unit, but not always enough to justify buying more than you actually need.
Imagine you need 2,000 units.
A supplier might offer:
2,000 units at £1.20 each
or
5,000 units at £0.95 each
The second option has a lower unit price, but you're spending considerably more overall and will need somewhere to store the additional 3,000 products.
The best deal isn't necessarily the lowest price per item.
It's the option that provides the best overall value for your business.
Before committing to a large purchase, there are several questions worth asking.
Larger quantities may not be sitting in a warehouse waiting to be dispatched.
They might need to be manufactured specifically for your order.
Make sure the supplier can meet your required delivery date before committing.
f you're buying an existing product, check whether the supplier physically has enough stock.
If not, establish when the remaining quantity will become available.
For a large purchase, it's often sensible to inspect the product before committing to the entire order.
This is particularly important for bespoke or unfamiliar products.
Finding a supplier is easy. Finding a good supplier can be much harder.
Price is obviously important, but choosing a supplier based on price alone can quickly become expensive if products arrive late, quality isn't consistent or stock suddenly becomes unavailable.
Whether you're buying products for resale, ordering supplies for your organisation or looking for thousands of items for a particular project, choosing the right supplier can make a huge difference.
So, what should you actually look for?
Before contacting suppliers, establish your requirements as clearly as possible.
Think about:
It's tempting to compare quotations and immediately choose the lowest.
But the cheapest unit price doesn't necessarily mean the lowest overall cost.
Consider:
For example, saving a few pence per item isn't particularly useful if the products arrive two weeks after you need them.
Good purchasing is about finding the best overall value, not simply the lowest headline price.
A supplier that can easily provide 100 units may struggle with an order for 10,000.
If you're placing a large order, establish whether the supplier has sufficient stock or manufacturing capacity before committing.
Ask about:
This becomes particularly important if the product is something you'll need regularly.
For larger orders or bespoke products, a sample can be extremely valuable.
A photograph doesn't always tell you enough about a product.
A physical sample allows you to check things such as:
Finding a problem with one sample is considerably better than discovering it after several thousand products have been delivered.
A reliable supplier should communicate clearly and be realistic about what they can deliver.
Warning signs can include:
No supplier is perfect and problems occasionally happen.
What matters is how those problems are handled.
There isn't one correct answer.
UK suppliers can offer advantages including shorter lead times, easier communication and simpler delivery.
Overseas manufacturers can sometimes provide greater customisation or lower unit costs, particularly on large-volume orders.
However, overseas sourcing may also involve longer lead times, larger minimum orders, shipping costs and additional considerations around importing and product compliance.
The best option depends on what you're buying.
Google is a useful starting point, but not every manufacturer, distributor or specialist supplier is easy to find online.
Some suppliers primarily work business-to-business and may have relatively limited websites.
Others work through distributors rather than selling directly.
This is one reason established supplier relationships can be so valuable.
A sourcing company may already have access to manufacturers and distributors that would otherwise take considerable time to identify.
Once you've found a supplier that consistently performs well, look after the relationship.
Long-term supplier relationships can bring significant advantages.
A supplier that understands your business may be better positioned to:
Good procurement isn't always about continually finding someone cheaper.
Sometimes the most valuable supplier is the one you know you can rely on.
Sometimes you've done all the searching and still can't find what you need.
Perhaps the quantities aren't available.
Maybe the product specification is unusual.
Or you simply don't have the time to contact dozens of potential suppliers.
This is where a product sourcing service can help.
Instead of restricting your search to the suppliers you already know, a sourcing partner can investigate a wider network of manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.
If you're new to the process, our guide to what product sourcing is and how it works explains this in more detail.
Andersons has been working with suppliers for decades.
Alongside the products available through our website, we have access to a much wider network of UK and international suppliers.
That means if you need something we don't currently list, we may still be able to source it for you.
You might need an existing product in a much larger quantity, something with a particular specification or a completely bespoke item.
If you've already searched and still can't find the product you need, send us the details and we'll see what we can find.
Start by clearly defining the product, quantity, budget and timescale you require. You can then research manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors directly or use a product sourcing service to investigate suppliers on your behalf.
Ask about pricing, minimum order quantities, lead times, delivery costs, payment terms, stock availability and whether samples are available.
No. Price is important, but reliability, quality, delivery times and service should also be considered. The cheapest quotation can become expensive if something goes wrong.
Potentially, yes. Our product sourcing service allows us to investigate requirements using our wider network of UK and international suppliers.
If you're struggling to find a product or supplier, Andersons Wholesale can help.
Tell us what you need, how many you require and when you need them.
We'll do the searching and help you find the right solution.
You've searched online. You've checked your usual suppliers. You've sent a few emails.
And you still can't find the product you need.
It's a common problem for businesses, schools and organisations, particularly when you need something unusual, a specific specification or a much larger quantity than normally available.
The good news is that just because you can't find a product online doesn't mean it isn't available.
At Andersons Wholesale, our product sourcing service allows us to look beyond the products listed on our website and use our wider network of UK and international suppliers to help find what you need.
There are thousands of manufacturers, distributors and specialist suppliers whose products aren't necessarily easy to find through a simple Google search.
You may also run into problems such as:
This is where having access to a wider supplier network can make a significant difference.
One of the most important things to know about Andersons Wholesale is that our website doesn't represent everything we're able to supply.
Like any wholesaler, we have our core product ranges. But behind those ranges is a much larger network of suppliers, distributors and manufacturers that we've developed through decades of trading.
If you can't see what you're looking for on our website, it's still worth asking us.
You don't need to prepare a complicated purchasing brief.
If you know exactly what you require, send us as much information as possible.
Useful details include:
But don't worry if you don't know all of that.
Sometimes a photograph and a message saying "Can you find something like this?" is enough for us to start investigating.
We'll look at your requirements and determine the best way to source the product.
Depending on the request, this could mean approaching an existing UK supplier, finding a specialist distributor or investigating manufacturing options overseas.
We'll consider factors such as price, quality, quantities, availability and lead time before presenting the most appropriate option.
For larger or bespoke projects, samples may also be available before committing to the full order.
The simple answer is: ask us.
We've built our business around supplying products to a wide variety of organisations, so we're not restricted to one particular sector.
Sourcing enquiries could include:
Some enquiries will be straightforward. Others may require considerably more research.
Either way, if there's a realistic way of sourcing it, we'll do our best to find it.
This is where product sourcing can become particularly useful.
Buying 10, 100 or even 500 products can often be relatively straightforward.
Finding thousands or tens of thousands of the same product can be very different.
Stock availability, manufacturing capacity, lead times, transport and unit pricing all become much more important.
Rather than trying to purchase large quantities through normal retail or wholesale channels, we can investigate options specifically suited to larger orders.
Potentially, yes.
Depending on the product and quantity, we can investigate options including custom colours, printed logos, bespoke packaging and products manufactured to a particular specification.
Bespoke manufacturing usually involves minimum order quantities and longer lead times, so it's worth contacting us as early as possible if you have a particular deadline.
We'll look for the solution that makes the most sense for your requirement.
Sometimes that's a UK supplier.
For larger quantities or bespoke manufacturing, an international manufacturer may provide more options.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both, which is why we consider price alongside factors such as lead time, quality, minimum quantities and delivery costs.
You could spend hours searching for suppliers yourself.
Sometimes that's all that's needed.
But when the product is difficult to find, the quantities are large or your team simply doesn't have the time, using an experienced sourcing partner can make the process considerably easier.
Andersons Wholesale has been supplying organisations for decades. During that time, we've developed relationships with suppliers in the UK and internationally.
Our job is simple:
You tell us what you need. We do the searching.
Don't assume we can't supply something simply because it isn't listed on our website.
Send us the product details, a specification, a photograph or even just an idea of what you're trying to achieve.
We'll take a look and let you know what options are available.
Need help finding a product? Contact Andersons Wholesale and let our sourcing team do the searching for you.
Finding the right product at the right price sounds simple - until you actually have to do it.
Perhaps you need a large quantity of an item that your usual supplier can't provide. Maybe you're looking for something unusual, bespoke or branded. Or you simply don't have the time to contact multiple suppliers, compare quotations and work out which option offers the best value.
This is where product sourcing comes in.
In this guide, we'll explain what product sourcing means, how the process works and why businesses use product sourcing specialists to make purchasing easier.
Product sourcing is the process of finding suitable products and suppliers based on a particular requirement.
That requirement could involve price, quantity, specification, quality, delivery times or even the manufacture of a completely bespoke product.
Rather than simply choosing something that's already available from a catalogue, effective product sourcing involves looking across a wider supplier network to find the most suitable solution.
For businesses, this can mean accessing products that aren't readily available through their existing suppliers while avoiding the time and effort involved in searching the market themselves.
The exact process depends on what you're looking for, but it will usually start with a brief.
You might already know exactly what you need, including quantities, dimensions and specifications. Alternatively, you may simply have an idea of the outcome you're trying to achieve.
From there, the sourcing process can include:
For more complex projects, the process may also involve samples, bespoke manufacturing, branding, international shipping and product compliance.
Your existing suppliers may be excellent at what they do, but no single supplier can provide everything.
A sourcing company can look beyond a standard product catalogue and approach a much wider network of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers.
Finding suppliers can be surprisingly time-consuming.
Searching online is only the beginning. You then need to make enquiries, wait for responses, compare prices, check specifications and establish whether the supplier can actually meet your requirements.
Outsourcing this process allows your team to concentrate on running the business.
The cheapest quotation isn't necessarily the best option.
A good sourcing process considers the overall value of a purchase, including product quality, delivery costs, lead times, minimum quantities and supplier reliability.
Product sourcing becomes particularly useful when what you need isn't easily available.
This might include an unusual specification, very large quantities, branded merchandise or a product that needs to be manufactured specifically for your organisation.
Product sourcing doesn't automatically mean importing from overseas.
In many cases, a UK supplier may provide the best combination of price, availability and lead time.
For other requirements, sourcing internationally can open up additional manufacturing options and potentially lower unit costs, particularly for larger quantities.
The right approach depends on the product, quantity, timescale and budget.
At Andersons Wholesale, our sourcing network includes suppliers in the UK as well as international manufacturers, allowing us to consider different options depending on the customer's requirements.
There isn't a simple answer because the range can be enormous.
Products might include:
And that's by no means an exhaustive list.
One of the biggest advantages of using a sourcing service is that you aren't restricted to the products already listed on a supplier's website.
The two terms are closely related, but they aren't exactly the same.
Product sourcing focuses primarily on finding the right products and suppliers.
Procurement is a broader process that can include sourcing, purchasing, negotiating terms, supplier management and managing the ongoing supply of goods.
For a straightforward requirement, you may simply need help sourcing a particular product.
For organisations purchasing a wide variety of goods regularly, a wider procurement service may be more appropriate.
Yes.
Andersons Wholesale has been supplying organisations across the UK for decades, and our capabilities extend far beyond the products listed on our website.
Through our network of UK and international suppliers, we can investigate products based on your individual requirements.
That could be something relatively straightforward that you simply can't find, or a much larger bespoke sourcing project.
The more information you can provide, the easier it is to identify the right solution.
Useful information includes:
Don't worry if you don't have all of this information. A photograph, existing product or even a description of what you're trying to achieve can be enough to start the conversation.
If you're struggling to find a product, need a large quantity or simply want someone else to take care of the sourcing process, Andersons Wholesale can help.
Our team can search our network of trusted UK and international suppliers to find a solution that meets your requirements.
Tell us what you're looking for and let us do the searching.
Every business buys things.
It might be packaging, equipment, promotional products, supplies, stock for resale or thousands of items required for a particular project.
But buying something and procuring something aren't quite the same thing.
Procurement is about finding the right product, from the right supplier, at the right price - while also considering quality, reliability, delivery and the needs of the business.
For larger or more complicated purchases, getting this process right can save a business considerable time and money.
Procurement is the process a business or organisation uses to obtain the goods and services it needs.
It can cover everything from identifying what's required and finding suitable suppliers through to negotiating prices, placing orders and managing delivery.
In simple terms:
Purchasing is the act of buying something.
Procurement is the wider process behind making sure you're buying the right thing from the right supplier.
For a small purchase, there may be very little difference.
But when you're purchasing in large quantities, sourcing unusual products or regularly buying across multiple product categories, procurement becomes much more important.
The exact process varies depending on the business and what is being purchased, but it commonly involves several stages.
The first step is establishing exactly what the business requires.
That could include:
A clear brief makes it much easier to compare potential solutions.
Once the requirement is understood, the next stage is identifying businesses capable of supplying it.
This is often referred to as product sourcing.
For straightforward purchases, you may already have an appropriate supplier.
For unusual products, larger quantities or bespoke requirements, finding the right supplier can require considerably more research.
INTERNAL LINK: Link “product sourcing” above to your What Is Product Sourcing? guide.
Price is important, but it shouldn't always be the only consideration.
A cheaper supplier may have:
Good procurement looks at the overall value of the purchase, rather than simply choosing the lowest unit price.
Once the options have been compared, the most appropriate supplier can be selected.
Factors such as previous experience, reliability, product quality, price and delivery times may all influence the decision.
The purchasing stage then begins.
For straightforward orders, this may simply involve raising a purchase order and arranging delivery.
For more complicated projects, there may be samples, production schedules, branding approvals, shipping arrangements or several deliveries to coordinate.
Procurement doesn't necessarily finish when the products arrive.
For ongoing requirements, businesses may review:
Strong supplier relationships can become extremely valuable over time.
These terms are often used together, but there is a difference.
Product sourcing is primarily about finding the right product and supplier.
Procurement covers the wider purchasing process.
Product sourcing can therefore be one part of procurement.
For example, a business might need 10,000 promotional items for an event.
Finding manufacturers capable of producing those items is sourcing.
Comparing quotations, agreeing specifications, placing the order and managing delivery are all part of the wider procurement process.
Poor purchasing decisions can cost businesses far more than the price shown on an invoice.
Good procurement can help businesses:
This becomes increasingly important as purchasing volumes grow.
Not necessarily.
Large organisations may employ dedicated procurement teams, but for many small and medium-sized businesses that simply isn't practical.
Purchasing may instead be handled by an owner, office manager, operations team or another employee alongside their normal responsibilities.
This can work perfectly well for everyday purchases.
The difficulty comes when someone suddenly needs to find a specialist product, obtain a large quantity or contact multiple unfamiliar suppliers.
That's where using an external sourcing or procurement partner can be useful.
Sometimes it makes more sense to ask someone else to do the searching.
An experienced sourcing partner may already have access to suppliers that would otherwise take considerable time to find.
This can be particularly useful when:
Andersons Wholesale has been supplying businesses and organisations for decades.
While thousands of products are available directly through our website, our capabilities extend far beyond our online catalogue.
Through our network of UK and international suppliers, we can help customers investigate products, compare sourcing options and arrange supply based on their individual requirements.
Sometimes that's an everyday product required in an unusually large quantity.
Sometimes it's something completely different.
If you can't find what you need, it's worth asking.
Is procurement the same as purchasing?
Not quite. Purchasing refers mainly to the transaction of buying goods or services, whereas procurement covers the wider process of identifying requirements, sourcing suppliers, comparing options, purchasing and managing supply.
Is product sourcing part of procurement?
Yes. Product sourcing is generally considered one part of the wider procurement process. It focuses specifically on finding suitable products and suppliers.
Can small businesses outsource procurement?
Yes. A business doesn't need its own procurement department to benefit from professional sourcing support. Outsourcing particular purchasing projects can be useful when requirements are unusual, time-consuming or involve large quantities.
Can Andersons source products that aren't on the website?
Yes. Our sourcing service allows us to investigate products through our wider supplier network, so it's always worth contacting us if you can't find what you need online.
Need help with a purchasing requirement?
Whether you're struggling to find a particular product, need a large quantity or want help exploring different supply options, Andersons Wholesale can help.
Tell us what you're looking for and let our sourcing team investigate the options.
