A rack can look full and still be missing the packet someone wants. For a first Alan’s chips order, the useful question is not “How many cartons can we fit?” It is “Which flavours will earn their space here?”
Start with a manageable mix, then let your own counter sales shape the next order. Classic Salted, Masala, Tomato and Cream & Onion appear in the product references shown in this batch. Ask for the exact available packs rather than ordering by packet colour alone.
Give the first order a job
An opening order should teach you something. A small office canteen, a shop near a college and a reception counter may have different buying patterns, even if they buy from the same range. Write down where the packets will be displayed, who usually buys snacks and how often you can receive another delivery.
If space is tight, four half-empty hooks may be more useful than one deep stack of a single flavour. You can see what moves without committing the whole budget to a guess. That is a trial arrangement, not a claim that four flavours will sell equally.
Compare named packs, not colours
The catalogue photographs show distinct flavour names. Use those names in the enquiry and retain the matching item reference. Packaging can change, and two different sizes may use similar artwork. A message that says only “send the blue chips” leaves too much room for a wrong order.
Ask for the current net weight, printed MRP, units per carton, quoted sale unit and available quantity for each choice. A packet price and a carton price cannot be compared until the carton quantity is known.
| First-order line | Record before confirming | Check on delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Salted | Exact pack and order quantity | Flavour and net weight |
| Masala | Exact pack and order quantity | Correct variant, intact seals |
| Tomato | Exact pack and order quantity | Current packet matches the quote |
| Cream & Onion | Exact pack and order quantity | Units received and printed dates |
A simple trial you can actually read
Here is an illustrative trial, not an available mixed-carton offer: 60 individual packs divided into 15 of each flavour. A supplier may sell only whole cartons or have a different minimum, so ask what mix is possible before treating those numbers as an order.
Give the flavours comparable visibility. After a chosen review period, record opening quantity, packs received, packs sold, damaged packs and usable closing stock separately. Note any day a flavour was unavailable. Otherwise, a sold-out line can look weaker than a slower line that stayed on the rack all week.
Keep the buying decision separate from the display decision
A display that works well may still be expensive to replenish if you order more often than necessary. Ask about delivery charges and the ordering cycle. Compare the cash committed to whole sale units, not just the price of the handful of packs you hope to sell today.
For example, if the quoted case contains C packs and the case price excluding GST is P, product cost per pack is P ÷ C. Add applicable tax, delivery and any display materials separately. This formula does not establish a trade margin: that also needs your actual selling price and other costs.
Make the next enquiry specific
Send the flavour names, preferred pack formats, opening quantities, outlet location and required date. Ask what substitutions need your consent. Browse our RCPL product range and request an itemised quotation with that short brief. The aim is an order you can check, receive and learn from—not a large opening pile.
Frequently asked questions
Which Alan’s chips flavours should a retailer start with?
Classic Salted, Masala, Tomato and Cream & Onion are useful named choices to ask about. Choose the actual available formats for your outlet and use a small trial. The list is not a prediction of what will sell best at your counter.
Can I buy a mixed carton of all four flavours?
Ask for the supplier’s current sale units and mixing policy. The 15-per-flavour example is planning arithmetic, not a confirmed mixed-carton product or minimum order.
Do packet colours identify the size?
No. Confirm the printed flavour, net quantity and item reference. Similar artwork can appear on different pack sizes, and packaging may change.
How should I compare two wholesale quotations?
Use the same exact SKU, units per sale unit, tax basis and delivery treatment. Divide the quoted product price by the number of packs, then compare the complete order cost.
Can I call one flavour the bestseller after one trial?
You can describe what happened in your own measured trial. Keep the period and stock availability with the result; a small local sample does not establish a wider market ranking.