What Is a Vendor? Definition,Types & Example
What is a Vendor? A vendor refers to a participant within the supply chain responsible for making goods and services accessible to companies or consumers. The term "vendor" is commonly used to denote the entity that receives payment for provided goods, as opposed to the actual manufacturer of those goods. However, a vendor can fulfill the roles of both a goods supplier (or seller) and a manufacturer.
Key Points to Remember
- A vendor is a general term encompassing individuals or entities engaged in buying and selling goods or services.
- Vendors procure products and services, subsequently selling them to other businesses or individuals.
- Prominent retailers like Target rely on various vendors to furnish products; they buy these items at wholesale prices and vend them at higher retail prices.
A manufacturer, converting raw materials into finished products, serves as a vendor for retailers or wholesalers.
How Vendors Operate A vendor, also known as a supplier, can be an individual or a business entity engaged in sales. Vendors typically locate sources to acquire their goods and services. Following acquisition, vendors market and sell their products through methods that suit them best. For instance, a food truck vendor ensures sufficient supplies to create menu items, drives to a chosen location, and commences food sales.
Vendor/Supplier Relationship Leading retail chains such as Target and Walmart maintain lists of vendors from whom they purchase items at wholesale rates. Subsequently, these goods are retailed at higher prices to customers. Vendors catering to these large stores necessitate expansive operations to manage the planning, acquisition, and provision of contracted goods and services.
Business-to-Business (B2B) Numerous vendors function as business-to-business (B2B) sales entities, supplying components required by other businesses to create end products. For instance, if a small enterprise manufactures widgets from gadgets, it seeks vendors to provide the necessary gadgets. These could be consolidated under one vendor or multiple vendors for widget assembly.
In turn, these widgets might be sold on an online retail platform, transforming the business into a vendor itself.
Provision of Services Some vendors offer services to entities of varying sizes and tiers. For instance, a large company's human resources department might arrange a staff holiday party, enlisting outside vendors for event goods and services. In instances where the event surpasses the company's owned venues, the event space owner becomes a vendor upon reservation and contract signing.
Most states mandate vendor licensing. Aspiring vendors or those seeking their services should verify requirements with their state's licensing office.
Following this, the human resources department collaborates with decorators, who become vendors upon being contracted to theme the event space. Subsequently, a catering company is engaged to supply food and beverages. Once the service is delivered, the catering company functions as a vendor to the hosting company.
Varieties of Vendors Several vendor categories exist, broadly fitting into four types:
- Manufacturer: Manufacturers convert raw materials into finished goods, selling to wholesalers and retailers.
- Retailer: Retailers purchase products from vendors and sell them to consumers. For instance, Target vends for home appliances and products.
- Wholesaler: Wholesalers acquire goods in bulk and sell to retailers, sometimes directly to consumers.
- Service Provider: These vendors offer services to both businesses and consumers.
Notable Considerations Vendors are integral to the supply chain, encompassing all elements involved in producing and vending a product or service. The supply chain originates from raw materials and concludes with product sales and delivery.
Manufacturers and retailers strive to streamline the supply chain, recognizing that product cost increases with each supply chain link. Generally, the supply chain comprises three parts: manufacturer, seller, and reseller (retailer). Vendors can offer cost efficiency due to circumventing certain supply chain links.
What Is a Vendor? A vendor denotes an entity engaged in sales. This encompasses services, products, or a combination of both, provided to businesses and consumers.
An Exemplar Vendor Amazon, renowned as an online retailer, additionally functions as a web service provider, furnishing services like web hosting and database storage. These services are costly for many small businesses to independently procure and maintain.
Vendor vs. Supplier Suppliers typically stand at the start of the supply chain, where products and services originate. A vendor acquires products and services, subsequently reselling them to clients.
In Conclusion, Vendors are entities purchasing goods and services, which they then resell to business clients and consumers. Vendors are present in various business models, as their involvement can often be more cost-effective than direct supplier purchases.
Vendors encompass businesses of diverse scales, from a single-person hotdog stand to substantial warehouse-stocking vendors.
