At HJS Accountants we can provide businesses in the Southampton area with assistance and advice on a wide range of business issues. Here are some thoughts dealing with suppliers...

Are you reluctant to discuss your successes and failures with your suppliers? Do you worry that if they knew the facts they might change their perception of you and offer less favourable terms?

The truth is that most suppliers would prefer you to be frank with them and would be happy to work with you to adjust orders and deliveries accordingly. After all, they want your continued business and that depends not upon your buying more but upon your buying smarter.

Sit down with them as 'partners' and try to work out an arrangement that benefits both parties. Try to identify:

  • Products you can order in larger volumes in exchange for volume discounts
  • Orders you can discontinue because you can buy more cheaply elsewhere
  • Ways to revise delivery schedules to reduce your stock keeping costs
  • Opportunities to share marketing or promotional costs
  • Ways you can exchange information to improve efficiency at both ends

When it comes to building a market and servicing it, you and your suppliers are on the same side, so build a relationship with them that reflects that.

In a period of economic difficulty or uncertainty, remember that suppliers might raise their prices, so try to negotiate a long-term discount with them.

If you are in the Southampton area and are looking for support and help from experienced accountants and business advisers, contact HJS Accountants.

Southampton Office

HJS Accountants
Tagus House
9 Ocean Way
Southampton
Hampshire
SO14 3TJ

Tel: 023 8023 4222

Winchester Office

HJS Accountants
6 Charlecote Mews
Staple Gardens
Winchester
SO23 8SR

Tel: 01962 842000

Reading Office

HJS Reading
3 Richfield Place
Richfield Avenue
Reading, Berkshire
RG1 8EQ

Tel: 0118 951 1115