Apps that offer consumers a variety of products at huge discounts have taken the shopping world by storm. Websites and apps that make shopping easier for the consumer abound, but the same is not the case for the retail stores that ultimately provide the goods to the consumers. What websites and apps are available to ease the buying process for these retail stores? For many, the fact that many retail stores stock their shelves with wholesale products is common knowledge; however, many are unaware of the tedious process that is the procurement of these goods. In order to provide a simpler form of e-procurement, a team of veteran merchandisers and engineers created an app to facilitate the procurement of jewelry and accessories for all retail stores. F.A.Wholesale is a F2B e-commerce portal for retail stores in the unbranded jewelry and accessory category. The app cuts out the middleman and helps boutiques and retail stores receive jewelry and a plethora of other accessories right on their doorstep. Eliminating the “Middleman” According to Euromonitor International, costume jewelry sales in 2016 are expected to reach $316 billion which means a gain of about 3% from 2015. The jewelry and accessory market is thriving and the demand necessitates supply. F.A.Wholesale bridges the gap between the wholesale factory and the buyer. The app allows shoppers to browse various wholesale products and purchase them at factory prices. The idea behind F.A.Wholesale arose when creator Tony Liu and his team noticed that most wholesalers can only provide a limited variety of goods and require bulk purchases. Many retailers are opting for variety over bulk and require a constant stream of quality supply. The Quest for Quality Analyzing this shift in demand, Liu and his team thought it would be best to expose retailers to a multitude of wholesalers and a variety of styles and products. What better way to house a large number of suppliers and styles than in one, convenient, e-commerce platform? However, to ensure a pleasurable buying experience for retailers, the app must take over the responsibility of screening and selecting on-trend accessories and jewelry. F.A.Wholesale’s lead merchandiser has more than eight years’ experience in wholesale and retail buying. She, along with her team, sort through a plethora of wholesalers to find the wholesalers with the best products to feature on the app. Facilitating Business For most retail stores and store owners, procuring goods requires valuable time and money. Most retailers have to travel to a manufacturing hub or a large market to purchase goods for their store. This means that business owners have to leave behind their store for an indefinite amount of time or trust buyers to do the job for them. In a very limited amount of time, the business owners or buyers have to procure a large quantity of product to supply the stores’ demand for the following months. The greatest downfall of this procurement strategy is the margin for error. When pressed for time, retail store owners and buyers have limited styles to choose from and must predict whether certain styles will be popular in the months to come. If store owners or buyers purchase the wrong styles or merchandise, they will have a lot of inventory they cannot turn. If inventory turnover is slow and the styles in stock are unpopular, retail stores lose huge margins. “F.A.Wholesale allows retailers to buy only what they need and choose from multiple, quality wholesalers,” reassures Liu. This key feature in the app reduces the working capital requirement for retails stores allows them to purchase the latest styles and stay on top of trends. Speedy Delivery and Processing F.A.Wholesale connects retail businesses to manufacturing businesses to reduce cost and increase product availability. Since the app screens and processes the orders for retailers, retailers enjoy a simpler, cheaper transaction. The platform cuts travel expenses, exporting fees, and more to create a smoother business to business experience. The flexible shipping allows retailers to procure their merchandise when they need it. Standard shipping options are available at a minimal price for those that choose to buy ahead. Express shipping is available for retailers that need their merchandise to arrive quickly. These helpful features allow retailers to keep profitable margins and increase inventory turnover. Becoming a Business Staple F.A.Wholesale has pinpointed a need in the F2B e-commerce market and aims to fulfill it. The app is expected to launch in September and has already created a stir among retailers. “After careful research, focus groups, and interaction with retailers we are certain that this app is something retailers want and need to continue to thrive,” says Liu. In providing an essential tool for retailers and revolutionizing the way retailers procure wholesale merchandise, F.A.Wholesale has a promising start as a F2B e-commerce platform.