Sales Force Outsourcing in the South of France | Go Distribution
Sales force outsourcing in the South of France means entrusting the sale of your products to locally based commercial agents, rather than recruiting and managing your own salaried sales reps. For a French or European manufacturer, it is the most direct way to be present with the distributors of the Greater South, from Bordeaux to Nice. Go Distribution has been in this business since 1994, with 6 field agents and around 1,700 points of sale covered.
Outsourcing your sales force: multi-brand agent or salaried sales rep?
Recruiting a salaried sales rep to cover the South of France is a major investment: fixed salary, social charges, company car, travel expenses, time spent recruiting and then getting up to speed. And it takes several reps to properly cover a territory stretching from Bayonne to Marseille.
The multi-brand sales agent works the other way round: they are paid on commission on sales achieved, represent several complementary brands and already know the buyers in their area. You only pay for results.
| Criterion | Salaried sales rep | Outsourced sales force |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed (salary, social charges, car, expenses) | Variable, commission-based |
| Start-up | Recruitment + getting up to speed | Immediate, network already in place |
| Coverage | One territory per rep | 31 departments, 6 agents |
To explore this comparison further, read our article on why you should outsource your sales force.
An outsourced sales force already introduced to 1,700 distributors
The real value of an outsourced sales force goes beyond cost. Above all, it lies in the network built up visit after visit over 30 years. In practical terms, you benefit from:
- around 1,700 points of sale visited on a regular basis: garden centres, DIY superstores, builders’ merchants, industrial supplies and hardware stores;
- agents who personally know the department managers and buyers in their area;
- your ranges being presented on the very next call rounds, with no cold-prospecting phase;
- an in-depth understanding of what each channel expects: terms, seasonality, merchandising.
31 departments covered: from Bayonne to Marseille
Go Distribution covers 31 departments across three regions: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Each agent works a territory they travel all year round.
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Bordeaux, Bayonne, Pau and their catchment areas;
- Occitanie: Toulouse, Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan;
- PACA: Marseille, Nice and the entire coastline and hinterland.
This local presence changes everything: a builders’ merchant buyer in Toulouse or a DIY store department manager in Marseille deals with a contact they know, not a passing sales rep.
How outsourcing works with Go Distribution
Our sales agency takes on the entire field sales function, supported by an administrative assistant who handles order and account follow-up:
- Sales representation: presenting your ranges, securing listings, order taking, monitoring replenishment;
- In-store events and demonstrations to keep your products moving off the shelves;
- Merchandising: shelf placement, product highlighting, planogram compliance;
- Market research and competitor intelligence in your category;
- Regular reporting: you keep a clear view of activity across your territory.
Our working relationship is generally based on an exclusive distribution agreement covering the territory: a clear framework that commits both parties for the long term.
Which manufacturers is sales outsourcing right for?
Sales force outsourcing is aimed first and foremost at manufacturers in the DIY, garden, hardware, tooling, fixings and PPE sectors. It is particularly well suited if you are:
- a French SME with no structured sales force in the Greater South;
- a European manufacturer looking to sell in France without setting up a subsidiary;
- an established brand whose coverage of the South of France remains incomplete;
- a manufacturer launching a new range who wants rapid feedback from the field.
Brands such as Rapid, SPIT, Mottez, Master Lock and Difac already entrust us with their ranges: discover the brands represented by the agency.
Frequently asked questions
How much does sales force outsourcing cost?
The sales agent is paid on commission on the revenue generated. There is no fixed salary, no social charges, no company car and no travel expenses to cover: the cost is proportional to sales.
How quickly will my products be presented to distributors?
As soon as the agreement is in place, your ranges are added to the call rounds of our 6 agents. The first appointments take place within a few weeks, as the points of sale are already visited regularly.
Which distribution channels does Go Distribution cover?
Five channels: garden centres, DIY superstores, builders’ merchants, industrial supplies and hardware stores. Your products are directed to the networks most relevant to your range.
Do I need to grant territorial exclusivity?
It is the working framework we favour: an exclusive distribution agreement covering the 31 departments served. It guarantees mutual commitment and lasting field investment in your ranges.
Is it compatible with my existing sales force elsewhere in France?
Yes, this is a common scenario. Many manufacturers cover the North or East of France directly and entrust us with the South, where they lack a field presence.
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 in the field in the South of France.
Outsourcing your sales force in the South of France means turning a business development plan into an effective presence with distributors, with no fixed structure to fund. Contact us to assess together the potential of your ranges across our 31 departments.