By taking a more holistic approach to supplier relationships, businesses can improve the overall effectiveness of their supply chain and reduce risk. This approach can lead to long-term savings and improved overall business performance for both parties. However, in many situations, negotiations do not run on expected lines and can unfortunately turn adversarial. In certain cases, negotiations can even break down, affecting the revenue. 

If you are planning to buy wholesale tea, this useful read will help you understand the nitty-gritty of successful negotiations with a supplier. 

  1. Research your suppliers: Understand your wholesale supplier's capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Identify those that align with your needs. When you are looking for tea suppliers, look at their website and online presence. Review the supplier's website to gather information about their products, production capacity, services and company history. 
  1. Look for certifications or industry recognition:  Tea certifications are an important metric to consider when looking for suppliers. Certifications provide assurance to consumers that the tea meets industry standards for quality, sustainability and ethical production practices. At Jay Shree Tea, we have received different tea certifications including: 
  • USDA Organic
  • JAS
  • India Organic, 
  • The Rainforest Alliance 
  • UTZ Certification
  • Fair Trade
  • Ethical Tea Partnership
  • Prepare your negotiation strategy: Based on your research, develop a negotiation strategy that takes into account the supplier's position and your goals. Determine your preferred negotiating style and how it aligns with the suppliers. Identify any bargaining chips you have that can be used to negotiate better terms, such as volume discounts and long-term contracts.
  1. Communicate your expectations: Clear communication of your expectations and requirements before the negotiation is important to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Share your expectations and requirements early on in the process, before any formal negotiation takes place. This will help to align expectations and avoid misunderstandings later on. Use clear and concise language, avoiding any ambiguity or confusion. Be specific about what you expect from your suppliers in terms of quality, delivery times and performance.
  1. Negotiate on multiple fronts: Negotiate on various fronts, such as price, quality, delivery times, and payment terms, to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. By negotiating on multiple fronts, you can create a more comprehensive and sustainable agreement with your suppliers. This will help to build a stronger, more mutually beneficial relationship in the long run.
  1. Build a long-term relationship: Keep in mind that the negotiation is not just about getting the best deal, but about building a long-term relationship with your suppliers. Be responsive to your supplier's needs. Show that you value their contributions and that you are committed to the relationship. Show appreciation for your suppliers' efforts and contributions. Recognize their successes and provide feedback on areas for improvement.
  1. Measure supplier performance: When negotiating, it is important to establish measurable criteria for supplier performance, such as delivery times, quality, and customer support. These criteria should be clearly defined and communicated to the tea supplier, and performance should be tracked and evaluated over time.

Planning to buy wholesale tea?
If you are looking for wholesale suppliers, explore Jay Shree Tea. We are part of the B K Birla conglomerate and have been tea planters since 1945. You can check our tea certifications here. As a leading wholesale tea supplier, we offer our wholesale partners fresh teas of various grades, origins and types at competitive prices.