Beauty distribution in the UK is priced in a few different ways: some distributors buy your stock and earn a margin on resale, some charge a commission on sales, and some — particularly full-service and managed models — combine a setup fee, a monthly management fee and a commission. There’s no single figure; the cost depends on the model, the services included, and your volume. The key is transparency and alignment with your sales.
The main pricing models
1. Buy-and-resell (margin). The distributor buys your stock at a wholesale price and resells it at a margin. This gives your brand a stable revenue stream and lower upfront risk, since the distributor carries the inventory cost.
2. Commission on sales. The distributor takes an agreed percentage of sales they generate. This aligns their incentives with yours — they earn when you sell.
3. Managed service (fees + commission). Full-service and ‘done-for-you’ models often combine a one-time setup or onboarding fee per channel, a monthly management fee, and a commission on sales. You pay for the operational work of running your channels, plus a share aligned to performance.
What drives the cost
- Scope of service — logistics-only is cheaper than full-service (strategy, compliance, marketing, account management).
- Number of retail channels — more channels mean more setup and management.
- Compliance needs — CPSR and Responsible Person work for your range.
- Marketing support — PR, influencer and activation add cost but drive sell-through.
- Your volume and complexity — more SKUs and higher volumes affect fulfilment costs.
What to look for, beyond the headline number
The cheapest option is rarely the best value. A distributor that secures the right listings and drives sell-through delivers far more than one that simply warehouses and reships. Look for transparency — clear terms with no hidden fees — and alignment, where the distributor earns more when you sell more. A commission-based element is a good sign their incentives match yours.
A note on our pricing
Our RetailConnect service uses a transparent, per-channel model, and we share a clear, brand-specific projection before you commit — with no listing, no fee. The principle is simple: aligned commercials, so we succeed when you sell. Talk to our team today.
