Beacon Marketplace FAQ

The Beacon Marketplace is an online platform, powered by SFP, where vendors can connect directly with distributors and their retail store customers through a transactional online marketplace. SFP creates private branded marketplaces for distributors, so their retailers can view and order assortments that are shipped directly from you to stores. When you sign up on Beacon Marketplace, SFP will include your products in the distributor marketplaces they operate, so the distributors and their retail and food service customers can purchase your products for direct shipment.

There are no fees associated with the program. No annual fees, no hidden fees. The cost per case you submit is the amount you will receive for your purchase orders.

Complete the 6 steps in your supplier onboarding account by providing your business and product information. We will review your submitted information and complete your profile within 2-3 business days.

The ability to drop ship small-package orders direct to stores through UPS. Or the ability to deliver orders direct to stores.

If you can deliver or ship products to stores and ensure the proper temperature control, customers will also be able to order your products through the online marketplace.

SFP operates the ordering and transactional platform used by distributors and their retailer customers to order your products. SFP will finalize your account, process your orders, provide all shipping documents, and remit payment to you for all shipments.

You will receive an email notification, from [email protected], for each order you receive through the marketplace. Order emails will contain all relevant purchase order information – items, quantity, pricing and store ship-to address – as well as pre-paid shipping labels and a PDF invoice that you will need to print and include in your shipment to the store. You are required to confirm the order within 3 days of receiving the order notification. You also view and confirm new orders in your supplier account, where you can download and print each orders’ relevant shipping labels and store pack sheet documents.

Yes, order notifications can be sent to you and other email addresses you request, including your co-packer or importer. If your co-packer or importer is shipping your orders, please make sure they can print the supplied order pack sheet and include it in the shipment to the store.

You will receive pre-paid UPS shipping labels for each order. Print the labels and attach them to the outside of your shipping box. Then tender your packages to UPS. If you have a label printer, 4×6 labels are available for you to download in your supplier account on the “Upcoming Orders” page. Click the blue “DOWNLOAD SHIPPING DOC” button next to the order and select the 4×6 labels.

Yes. We can create specific shipping boxes so you receive the correct shipping labels for each order. If you receive an order and would like to change the combination of shipping labels, just email [email protected] and we will update the shipping labels for that specific order.
SFP tracks your shipments and collects signed proof of delivery documents for each delivery through UPS. Once a proof of delivery document is received, Specialty Food Partners acts as agent for you: Specialty Food Partners collects payment from the store or distributor client and then remits payment to you. After your first order, you will receive an email prompting you to choose a payment method (ACH or mailed check). Then SFP will automatically remit payment to you 30 days after each order. You can check your order history within your SFP account by clicking the “Order History” tab in the navigation bar.
Your products are offered to the distributors’ network of retail and food service clients. These clients can order your products through your listing on the marketplace, for shipment direct to their stores.
You can still work with distributors and be apart of our marketplace. We will let you know which distributors have access to your items through the SFP Marketplace. If you already do business with a particular distributor, we will remove your items from their online marketplace (since their stores can already order your products through the distributor’s warehouse). You can view a list of the distributor marketplaces on the “Marketplaces” page of your Beacon Marketplace supplier account.
In most cases, we recommend that you do not impose any order minimums. Retail stores usually order the amount needed to fill their shelves and will not have space for back stock. Your product offering will be more appealing to stores, and easier to order, without an order minimum. However in some instances it is more cost-efficient to ship multiple cases in a single order. We may recommend an order minimum if there are cost savings when shipping multiple cases together in a master pack. Some distributor marketplaces do not allow order minimums, and this information will be listed on the “Marketplaces” page of your Beacon Marketplace supplier account.
We integrate the marketplace catalog into the ordering devices of some of our marketplace customers. Sometimes these ordering devices can not enforce order minimums, which is why we ask you to confirm if you can waive your order minimum in those specific instances.
We encourage suppliers to commit to a 3-5 day lead time for all orders to ensure items arrive at the retail store in a timely manner. Longer lead times may discourage stores from ordering your products. A few marketplaces have shorter lead times that you must meet in order to be included in those particular programs: – Sysco Shop Marketplace: 3-5 calendar days – UNFI Marketplace: 3-5 calendar days – US Foods Direct: 1-3 calendar days
SFP will be responsible for filing a claim with UPS and payment will be remitted to you when and if the claim is approved and paid by UPS.
If your products arrive at the store damaged, Specialty Food Partners will submit a claim to UPS and will remit payment to you when and if the claim is approved and paid. When reviewing the claim, UPS determines if your products were packaged according to their guidelines. You are responsible for packaging your products in accordance with UPS specifications to ensure items do not break during transit. For glass containers, UPS requires that you include 2” of packaging materials between items and the box edge. You can find detailed UPS packaging guidelines in your supplier account.
Yes! You can set promotions and discounts for retailers on the “Promotions” page in your supplier account. We also offer monthly featured positions in the store’s ordering accounts.
You can assign attributes such as vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO to your product listings, and business distinctions such as kosher, women-owned and B-Corp to set your products apart. Stores can search for these attributes within our ordering system. You will find a complete list of available attributes when listing your products.
Upload .png or .jpeg images for each item. Items should be photographed on a white or isolated background. Image files can not be larger than 10 MB.
Yes. You can manage your product listing – product information, pricing, availability and new items – through your supplier account. Please note we require 30 days notice for price changes.
SFP can exclude your items from specific distributors or their customers. Just email [email protected] with your exclusions and we will update your profile. There are a few Amazon Retailers who purchase items through the platform. Please email our supplier team ([email protected]) if you would like to exclude these particular sellers.
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