Plum Market Vendor Policies

The following policies are in place for Plum Market Non-Perishables Departments for all Packaged Products. Packaged Products are defined by items with a printed UPC on the product packaging. Signature on the New Item Form or New Vendor Form indicates acceptance of the policies below for the Non-Perishable Departments.

Novel Item Free-Fill & Slotting Fee

Free Fill: A program in which the vendor/manufacturer agrees to provide Plum Market with free products for shelf placement as a billing deduction for the current wholesale price to offset the expense associated with placing a new product in our stores. The number of the product and/or deduction the vendor is expected to supply is based on case pack quantity and cost of the product or, if sold as each, up to 6 individual selling units.

For all instances of novel item placement, a Free Fill of each SKU is required for each new point of distribution.

Slotting Fee: A program in which the vendor/manufacturer agrees to provide Plum Market with a Slotting Fee of $100.00 for shelf placement as a direct payment or billing deduction to offset the expense associated with placing new products and managing the stocking of these products in our stores.

For all instances of novel item placement, a $100.00 Slotting Fee for each SKU is required for each new point of distribution.

1.

Department Requirement
Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, Packaged Products (as defined above) The negotiated number of SKUs for each instance of new point of distribution (as defined above).
Supplements & Body Care Up to six (6) individual selling SKUs; to be defined during the Plum Market, Vendor Partnership agreement,
for each instance of new point of distribution (as defined above).
  • Replenishment orders will be placed by Plum Market stores.
  • Any deviation from the requirements above must be mutually agreed to between vendor and category manager.
  1. A new point of distribution is defined as:
  1. Placement in any or all store locations where the SKU(s) is/are new to Plum Market. Free fill applies to each store in which the SKU(s) is/are added.
  2. Placement for the SKU(s) in NEW Plum Market locations where the item is already currently authorized on the Plum Market Approved Product List (APL).
  3. Placement for the SKU(s) in Plum Market locations that have not sold the SKU(s) in the prior six months. (Reset, remodel, schematic alignment, product void).
  4. SKUs subject to Free Fill and Slotting Fees will have guaranteed placement for a minimum of six months post implementation.
  1. Item Free Fills will be managed as follows:
  1. Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, Packaged Products:
    1. For SKUs distributed through KeHE or UNFI, KeHE/UNFI will deliver the initial free fill distribution to the stores at 100% MCB.
    2. Items delivered via DSD will receive a deduction from open billing statements (payables) for the wholesale value of the free fill for each instance of placement.
  2. Supplements, Body Care and General Merchandise:
    1. For SKUs distributed through KeHE or UNFI, KeHE/UNFI will deliver the initial free fill distribution to the stores at 100% MCB.
    2. Items delivered via DSD will receive a deduction from open billing statements (payables) for the value of the free fill for each instance of placement.

Billing Information

  1. All billing activity for Free Fills and Slotting Fees will be collected via:
    1. Statement deductions managed on behalf of Plum Market from UNFI or KeHE.
    2. Direct payments via ACH, Check or Credit Card.
      1. Credit Card payments are subject to a 3% fee.
  2. Billing occurs monthly. Back-up and invoices for deductions or billings are available through the Plum Market Vendor Portal.

Cost Changes

Plum Market requires 30-day notice on ALL cost changes.

Incomplete / Inaccurate Paperwork

It is imperative that all vendor paperwork be submitted to Plum Market accurately. Due to the excessive time, resources, and potential budgetary impact, incomplete and/or inaccurate paperwork will be subject to a per offense fine of $10.00.

The Data Council Exchange

To address our ever-growing need for dependable product data and images, we require all Plum Market suppliers to be members of The Data Council Exchange and for all items sold through Plum Market to be accurately listed within The Data Council Exchange. Upon acceptance of an item into Plum Market, it is required that the image and item listing including measurements and attributes be set up in The Data Council Exchange before the product enters the stores. If you are not set up with The Data Council Exchange, please follow the link to get started on your company profile, The Data Council IX ONE. An The Data Council Exchange sales representative will reach out to you after this is complete.

Shipping Minimum

Direct Vendors – Plum Market will not pay shipping fees for any direct shipment and no minimum shipping requirements will be approved for store orders.