How do I show a buyer that my wholesale catalogue is current and not stale?

Begin by comparing the catalogue with sales. Produce a report showing sales by item over a recent stretch, flag items that have not sold, and show what you have added lately. Customers will not order from a catalogue that lists goods you cannot supply, and a buyer will see the same pattern in your records.

Then check the supply side. Confirm with suppliers that listed items are still made, that prices and pack sizes match and that discontinuations are marked. Remove or label anything that is not available. Show how often the catalogue is reviewed, who owns that job and what triggers an update, such as a supplier notice or a customer request.

Ask your accountant to show how slow-moving stock sits on the books, since buyers will compare the catalogue with the inventory list. Be open about aged goods and how you plan to clear them. A catalogue that is a little smaller but accurate gives a buyer more confidence than a thick one full of ghosts, and it shows you manage the business with care. Keep dated copies of the catalogue as it changed, so the buyer sees the trend.

Key takeaways

• Match the catalogue to sales by item and flag anything that has not moved.
• Confirm with suppliers that listed items, prices and pack sizes are still correct.
• Show who owns catalogue updates and how often they are reviewed.