Cost of Goods
Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative procures product at the same as or better than other wholesalers. Our high volume allows us to buy "Best Bracket" with almost all vendors.

Vendor Allowances
Off Invoice (OI) Allowances. It is Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative’s belief that vendor allowances are designed by manufacturers to drive sales not wholesale margin. Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative forward buys on OI’s and closes gaps on deal windows where possible. Forward Buy Allowances are passed through to retail until new full list inventory is repurchased.

Display Allowance Program (Performance Based Funds). Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative captures performance based funding from manufacturers.uys on OI’s and closes gaps on deal windows where possible. Forward Buy Allowances are passed through to retail until new full list inventory is repurchased.

New Item Auto Distribution Program

• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative offers a multi-tier new item distribution program based on individual member needs.
• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative negotiates with vendors for half-price new item cost of goods from vendors. Based on which level program stores participate, half-price goods are auto-shipped to Member Retailers.

Vendor Relationships

• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative believes that trade partners are a critical component to our business. We believe that trade partner funding is intended to grow sales, market share, and profit for Member Retailers.
• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative does NOT retain marketing dollars from vendors for their own margin enhancement.

Semi-Annual Food Shows

Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative offers two shows annually; one in the Spring and one in the Fall. We also offer a mid-year booking show to fill the void between Food Shows.

• As Broker/Vendor representation continues to consolidate, Food Shows continue to be a successful tool of bringing together Vendors and Member Retailers.
• Our Food Shows provide us the opportunity to leverage our Member Retailers to make quantity buys at exceptionally competitive prices.

Power Buys

• Exceptional buys, which vendors offer at lower cost in exchange for volume minimums.

Ethnic/Hispanic Marketing

• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative is committed to growing marketing opportunities such as Ethnic/Hispanic sales.
• We offer a full line of authentic Hispanic products.
• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative has a dedicated Ethnic/Hispanic Sales counselor seasoned in procurement, product assortment, and retail sales.

Dollar Store Marketing

• Dollar Store items offer the opportunity to add both sales and margin.

• Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative has a dedicated telemarketing area devoted to offering sales opportunities which can help drive Member Retailers’ sales and margin. As broker/vendor representation continues to decline, phone marketing allows two-way communication of deals and promotions. Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative has an on-site health and wellness adviser. The adviser is available for marketing advice as well as for in-store promotions.