5 replies to this topic

[kevinkt]

Hi All,

we are a small flavor and syrup manufacture that supplies many of the local snack shops with flavored syrups for their own snacks and treats. We have been mainly wholesale business to business but would like to attract more business. Also we do not have the space at all or man power currently to handle walk in orders as they are just walking into our office. This does not make for a great experience as the customers cant really see or peruse our product offerings on shelves. We have made a nice website with convenient overnight shipping but it seems customers want a physical store. We would really want to rent a retail space that we can sell our syrups and display them and sell other snack items and perhaps snacks made using our syrups to help bring in more cash flow. 

 

My question is would this be a conflict of interest with our existing customers who use our syrups for their own snack shops? I would love to hear your opinions thanks! 

[SQFconsultant]

I see no conflict unless you have non-conflict agreements in place.

[kevinkt]

I see no conflict unless you have non-conflict agreements in place.

Thank you. To be clear i am asking not from a legal point of view but from a emotional business point of view. For example, if you use our products and you see our store with our brand name in the front and you clearly see us using our products we have become in essence your competitor, would you still use our products? 

Edited by kevinkt, 24 December 2019 - 08:37 PM.

[SQFconsultant]

I knew the standpoint from which you were asking and if I owned a small Brick and Mortar shop I doubt it bother me, unless of course I was right across the street from your store - then I'd drop you as a supplier in an instant.

 

On the other hand, I have a bunch of clients that run "retail" stores in-site in front of their buildings, off to the side, etc and they are also, like your company suppliers to small stores in the area + larger accounts.

 

They not only do retail but also show others thru showcasing how to run a retail establishment using their food products, ingredients, etc - thus it becomes not only a retail store but also a wholesale store for local accounts - if you run it that way you should not be seen as competition.

[kevinkt]

Thank you! 

I knew the standpoint from which you were asking and if I owned a small Brick and Mortar shop I doubt it bother me, unless of course I was right across the street from your store - then I'd drop you as a supplier in an instant.

 

On the other hand, I have a bunch of clients that run "retail" stores in-site in front of their buildings, off to the side, etc and they are also, like your company suppliers to small stores in the area + larger accounts.

 

They not only do retail but also show others thru showcasing how to run a retail establishment using their food products, ingredients, etc - thus it becomes not only a retail store but also a wholesale store for local accounts - if you run it that way you should not be seen as competition.

[The Food Scientist]

I worked at a snack/nuts/candies manufacturer and their headquarters had a retail shop/store right on the site of that facility. 

They also sold those snacks to customers and there are no issues/problems. 

 

I mean it is "your" product, and you are free to do whatever you want since you are supplying them with it.