Choosing the right wholesale perfume and cosmetics distributor is one of the highest-impact decisions for a perfumery, salon or specialised retailer. It doesn’t just set your margin: it determines whether your shelves rotate, whether your end customer trusts what they buy, and whether your business can grow without nasty surprises.
After more than 15 years distributing premium brands to professionals in over 40 countries, these are the criteria we recommend checking before signing with any supplier.
1. Provable authenticity, not promised authenticity
Every supplier will tell you their product is original. The difference lies in who can prove it with documentation: traceable invoices, identified origin and paperwork in order on every shipment. Always ask for traceability to travel with the order. A serious distributor is never bothered by that request; it’s their best calling card.
2. Real stock, not a smoke-and-mirrors catalogue
A huge catalogue is worthless if there are no units behind it. The classic symptom of an unreliable supplier is the confirmed order that arrives late or incomplete. Ask:
- Is the stock you’re offering in your warehouse, or “in transit”?
- What is your actual preparation and delivery time to my country?
- What happens if a reference sells out after confirmation?
At Intenso we work with real stock and continuous replenishment, because your rotation can’t depend on promises.
3. Own logistics vs. fully outsourced
A supplier who controls their logistics is not the same as one who depends entirely on third parties. In-house logistics, with bases on several continents, means shorter lead times, fewer incidents and the ability to react when something goes wrong. Ask where your order ships from and who answers if there’s a customs issue.
4. Terms designed for your channel
A perfumery, a professional salon and an ecommerce don’t buy the same way or need the same things. Be wary of one-size-fits-all suppliers: good B2B terms adapt to your channel: reasonable minimums for your size, an assortment that fits your clientele and prices consistent with your positioning. See how we work with each channel.
5. Brand curation, not filler
More is not always better. A good wholesale partner selects brands for rotation and prestige, and can tell you what works in your market and channel. Explore our brand selection, from niche luxury to professional hair care, and ask about the full catalogue if you don’t see what you’re looking for: many references are reserved for clients with access.
6. A relationship, not a transaction
The right supplier answers fast, gives you a real person to talk to, and understands your business. The simplest test: write to them, ask questions and measure the quality of the reply. If they treat you poorly before you’re a client, imagine afterwards.
In short
| Criterion | Key question |
|---|---|
| Authenticity | Does documentation travel with every order? |
| Stock | In the warehouse, or smoke and mirrors? |
| Logistics | In-house or fully outsourced? |
| Terms | Adapted to my channel and size? |
| Brands | Curated with criteria, or filler? |
| Service | Is there a real person behind it? |
If you’re evaluating suppliers for your perfumery, salon or online store, request access to our catalogue: we’ll prepare a proposal tailored to your channel, no strings attached.