Are you a shop manager looking to optimize your wholesale makeup purchases? We'll give you all our tips for buying quality makeup at the best price.
Prioritize quality products
To decide which makeup supplier to choose, and which cosmetics manufacturers to select for wholesale makeup purchases, distributors must observe certain precautions. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that your manufacturers strictly comply with current standards. The cosmetics sector is, in fact, very strictly regulated by law.
The cosmetics you offer to your customers must strictly adhere to good practices and perfectly comply with ISO22716 standards.
These standards cover all stages of product manufacturing and delivery:
- Product production
- Quality control
- Storage
- Packaging
- Delivery
Ensuring that your products comply with these standards is essential.
Please note: as a distributor, you have certain legal responsibilities regarding the products you sell:
- Labeling
- Check for the presence of the responsible person (natural or legal) on the label
- Verify that the list of ingredients is clearly visible
- Verify that the batch number is clearly indicated
- The product must include instructions for use precautions
- The expiration date must be indicated and not exceeded
- Labeling must be written in French.
Ensure that the products you distribute comply perfectly with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
It is your responsibility to offer your customers products that comply with this regulation.
Also ensure that the products you will be offering for sale are not tested on animals. European legislation prohibits this type of testing.
Optimize your order
In the cosmetics sector, your main expenses will be related to:
- Occupancy of your premises
- Salaries of your employees, if applicable
- Stock replenishment
- Your overheads and taxes
- Communication and marketing costs
Stock replenishment is therefore one of the main expenses in cosmetics and perfumery. Consequently, it is essential to optimize costs and order as accurately as possible.
For optimal profitability in the cosmetics sector, it is advisable to apply margins of 170%. Thus, a product you buy for €12 from your makeup wholesaler should earn you €12 * 170% = €20.4.
You should therefore sell it for €20.4 + €12 = €32.4.
To order realistically and optimally, here are some guidelines:
- Are you starting your business? Base your stock on a provisional budget of €40,000. This estimate will allow you to establish a relevant business plan and launch your activity profitably and efficiently.
- If your activity has been established for some time, the best indicator is to examine sales made in previous years and place your orders based on these elements. Be aware that cosmetic sales follow short cycles. Some products are timeless, while others follow a very temporary trend. You will therefore need to know your business very well to distinguish and prioritize products that will have lasting success.
Diversify your business
Mastering Trends
Even if it is more strategic to build a solid stock with products with a long seasonality (classic makeup, etc.), it is essential in the cosmetics sector to know and master trends.
For example, "Afro" trends are currently very popular in the cosmetics sector, so it is essential to build up a stock that takes this trend into account.
Supplementing your makeup stock with ancillary products
If you wish to consolidate your product stock with easy-to-store items on which you can achieve significant margins, we invite you to prioritize ancillary products.
- Makeup accessories have the advantage of having a very long seasonality, as they do not have an expiration date, unlike cosmetics. Build up a stock of eyelash curlers, brushes, nail files, etc., which will allow you to diversify your business without spreading yourself too thin.
- Room diffusers are easy-to-stock products that fit perfectly in a cosmetics shop. Scented candles, but also closet air fresheners, for example, are products in which you can perfectly consider investing.
You now have all the tools to effectively launch your wholesale makeup order under ideal conditions. Happy selling!
