Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What payment terms and listing fees do major UK drinks distributors like Matthew Clark offer?
Based on member experience with Matthew Clark, the typical payment terms are **60 days**. Members report that distributors also charge **a fairly chunky listing fee**, though the exact amount was not specified in the discussion. This appears to be standard across their accounts with the distributor. Key point: Members did not provide extensive detail on A&P (Advertising & Promotion) spend allocations or terms beyond payment windows in the available discussion.
What are the typical listing fees charged by major spirits wholesalers like Matthew Clarke, and are they negotiable?
Listing fees with major wholesalers such as Matthew Clarke are typically charged on a per-depot basis as a one-off charge (not annual), though this can be negotiated. **Pricing structure:** - **Matthew Clarke**: Members report £500 per depot as the standard rate. With 7–10 depots, expect £3,500–£5,000 total per SKU, though some members have negotiated different rates. **Important caveats:** - Listing fees are **negotiable** — members have successfully haggled rates down, so don't accept the first quote. - Beware of "listing without distribution": Matthew Clarke may accept your product but not make it widely available across depots, meaning you pay the fee but only your direct customer can actually order it. This defeats the purpose of wholesale listing. - **Alternative route**: Consider **Master of Malt** for Matthew Clarke's extended range if volumes are reasonable — this may avoid or reduce listing fees. Members recommend getting words of wisdom from experienced founders before committing, as fee structures and availability guarantees vary significantly by negotiation and product type.
What are typical listing fees charged by major UK drinks wholesalers and retailers, and how negotiable are they?
Based on member experience, listing fees from major wholesalers operate on a per-depot model rather than per-SKU basis. **Confirmed pricing:** - **Matthew Clark** — charges a flat rate of £500 per depot. With their 10-depot network, this totals £5,000 for full listing across all locations. **Negotiability:** Members have raised questions about whether fees are fair and negotiable, but the excerpts do not contain specific guidance on negotiation tactics, volume discounts, or flexibility on these charges. One member was checking whether their Matthew Clark fees were competitive. **Caveats:** This data point is limited to one major wholesaler. Pricing structures may vary significantly between different wholesalers and retailers (e.g. Sainsburys direct listings may operate differently from wholesaler listings). Members seeking to negotiate should benchmark against peers in their category and region.
What are typical listing fees charged by major drinks distributors, and can they be negotiated?
Listing fees with major distributors are negotiable, though they can feel steep at first quote. - **Matthew Clark** — members have been quoted £500 per depot, with feedback that "there's defo room for negotiation on this." Several members flag this as a pain point, but don't accept the initial ask. **Key takeaway:** The initial quote is not a fixed price. Members recommend pushing back rather than accepting the first figure.