MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Merchandise featuring Elvis Presley and legendary Sun Records is one of the latest product lines being distributed to convenience stores and gift shops by B&W Wholesale, reported The Murfreesboro Post. "We felt it would be a good fit for convenience store trade," Charles Enoch, general manager of B&W Wholesale, told the newspaper.
"We are in a very competitive industry," he added. "We are looking for programs that set us a part from our competitors."
John Smith, B&W's COO, said Elvis Presley merchandise was a safe bet for B&W. Elvis is known [image-nocss] internationally, and more than 30 years after his death, he still appeals to people of all ages.
"Elvis will never die," he told the paper.
Sun Records products are available for sale at www.bwforyou.com and at several area convenience stores, said the report. Products include pens, T-shirts, CD case, caps and CDs.
B&W Wholesale distributes approximately 3,000 different items, including Coca-Cola products, private-label cigarettes and toilet paper to novelty candy, shampoo and over-the-counter medications. "What we have been able to build our business on is same-day delivery within a 100-mile radius," Enoch said. "That is how we built our business."
B&W is Tennessee's largest distributor of tobacco, candy and heath and beauty products, servicing more than 10 states and 2,000 accounts throughout the eastern United States, the report added. "Just about anything you see in convenience stores besides frozen food we carry," Enoch said. Additionally, B&W is the exclusive Tennessee distributor of Crunk Energy Drink, created by rapper Lil Jon.
B&W also has the only U.S. Customs-bonded warehouse in Tennessee, according to the Post. The warehouse holds imported cigarettes.
Enoch said B&W's sales revenues are down from their high, but he feels good about the growth of the company when looking at the industry as a whole. "We feel good about where we are despite escalating gas prices," he told the paper. In November 2007, B&W formed a moving company to make the most use of the trucks it has sitting on the lot. "That is starting to grow," Smith said.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.