Multi-line sales agent: your sales force in Southern France
A multi-line sales agent is often the most direct and cost-effective way for a manufacturer to sell its products in France. Since 1994, Go Distribution has put its sales force at the service of French and European manufacturers across the whole of the South of France, from Bayonne to Marseille. This page explains the model, its practical advantages and how we work in the field.
What is a multi-line sales agent?
A commercial agent is a self-employed intermediary, whose status is governed by Articles L134-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code. They negotiate and conclude sales in the name and on behalf of the manufacturer they represent, without ever buying or reselling the goods: you retain full control of your pricing, your brand and your commercial policy.
“Multi-line” means they represent several principals at once. The golden rule of the trade is simple: complementary lines, never competing ones. An agent presenting fixings, PPE and storage solutions to the same department manager makes every visit pay — without pitting two brands from the same segment against each other.
Why this model works for a manufacturer
Recruiting a salaried sales rep to cover three regions is expensive: salary, social charges, vehicle, travel expenses, management. In a territory where your turnover is just getting started, that structure rarely pays off. The multi-line agent turns the equation on its head:
- Shared costs: field-visit expenses are spread across several brands; you only pay commission on completed sales.
- Established portfolio: the agent already knows the buyers, department managers and merchant branch managers in their territory. Your range walks through a door that is already open.
- Regular presence: a point of sale visited several times a year stays active. On its own, a manufacturer cannot justify that call frequency across 31 departments.
- Fast start: no recruitment, no months-long field training period.
For a detailed comparison of this model with an in-house sales team, see our dedicated page on outsourcing your sales force in the South of France.
Your sales force in the South of France: 31 departments covered
Go Distribution covers 31 departments across three regions: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. In practical terms, our call routes run from Bayonne to Marseille, taking in Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier and Nice.
The team comprises 6 field sales agents, supported by an administrative assistant, and covers around 1,700 points of sale. This visit density, built up over 30 years in the field, is something a manufacturer simply cannot replicate alone without a heavyweight sales structure.
The 5 distribution channels we work
Our agents are listed and well known across five distribution networks, each with its own codes, buying groups and rhythm:
- Garden centres: strong seasonality, in-store promotions and demonstrations are key;
- DIY superstores (GSB): listing at head-office level, then store-by-store groundwork;
- Builders’ merchants: Gedimat, Tout Faire, Chausson Matériaux, where the relationship with the branch comes first;
- Industrial supplies: Setin, Foussier, Legallais, Trenois Decamps, Prolians;
- Hardware stores: a close-knit local network with high expectations on product advice.
Depending on your range — tools, fixings, PPE, garden, storage, security — we activate one or more of these channels, with a tailored call plan.
The Go Distribution method: mandate, fieldwork, reporting
We work on the basis of an exclusive distribution mandate for our territory: you entrust us with your range, and we commit to getting it on the shelves. Our services cover sales representation, in-store promotions and demonstrations, market research and competitor intelligence, with regular reporting so you can steer your sales.
Manufacturers such as Rapid, SPIT, Mottez, Master Lock and Difac put their trust in us: discover the brands we represent. Every new line is chosen to complement the portfolio without conflicting with existing principals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a multi-line agent and a salaried sales rep (VRP)?
The VRP is an employee of your company, with a fixed salary, social charges and a relationship of subordination. The multi-line sales agent is self-employed and paid on commission, spreading their costs across several complementary brands. The financial risk for the manufacturer is therefore far lower.
How is the sales agent paid?
Through commission on sales made in their territory, as defined in the agency agreement. No sales, no fixed cost: your sales budget becomes proportional to your turnover.
Will my products compete with your other lines?
No. The rule of the multi-line model is to represent only complementary, non-competing ranges. Before any agreement is signed, we check that your offer fits into the portfolio without any conflict of interest.
Exactly which territories do you cover?
31 departments in the South of France, spanning Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and the PACA region, from Bayonne to Marseille. Our 6 agents cover around 1,700 points of sale across this area.
How do we start working with Go Distribution?
Contact us with details of your range, your pricing and your distribution objectives. We assess how well it complements our portfolio, then define together the mandate, the priority channels and the call plan.
Looking to distribute your products in France?
Go Distribution places your ranges in garden centres, DIY superstores, builders’ merchants, industrial supplies and hardware stores — 30 years of fieldwork in the South of France.
A multi-line sales agent gives you an immediate, regular field presence that scales with your sales. If you are looking for a sales force in the South of France for your DIY, garden, hardware or PPE products, let’s talk about your project.