A vendor is a business associate who will be working with your company and by developing a close relationship will make it easier to do business with. Provide a special vendor grand opening, typically done after store hours or before the store officially opens and allows vendors the opportunity to view the store prior to customers and see their product displays and how products will be marked throughout the store.

A vendor grand opening is a business casual event and a formal meal is not required. However, business professionals would enjoy a spread of hot horderves and beverages. Consider your typical hot finger food options.

  • Hot wings
  • Little hot dogs
  • Bagel bites
  • Little tacos
  • Chicken fingers

But don’t forget the simple horderves like

  • Crackers
  • Cheese
  • Nuts
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Veggies & Dip
  • Chips
  • Pretzels

Provide silverware, napkin, plates, and cups.  Don’t go cheap on the accessories, purchase inexpensive silverware, plates, and real glass cups.  The look alone will increase the presentation 100% by removing paper products and Styrofoam products.

If catering the event, hire a professional wait staff to serve horderves and drinks.  This will allow staff to mingle with vendors and keep clean up to a minimal.  Strategically place recycle bins and trash receptacles in highly visible locations while reducing trash from being discarded among the store products. The goal of the vendor grand opening is to create a warm, friendly atmosphere where the store is the focus and the food and beverage is there to subdue hunger.

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