Beverage wholesale distribution turns the same inventory that feeds your DTC store into pallets and cases for grocers, convenience chains, distributors and on-premise accounts. We build to each buyer's routing guide, label to GS1 standards and exchange EDI so your orders are received without chargebacks.
Retail-compliant pallet builds
Retailers and distributors publish routing guides that specify how they want product to arrive: pallet type and condition, maximum height and weight, Ti-Hi patterns, stretch wrap, corner boards, label placement, and whether mixed SKUs or mixed lots are allowed on one pallet. Getting any of these wrong can mean a refused load or a compliance chargeback.
We load each buyer's requirements into the order workflow so the build instructions travel with the order. Beverage pallets are heavy, so we pay particular attention to stacking patterns that keep cases square, prevent crushing of bottom layers and survive the trip without leaning. Single-SKU and single-lot pallets are built when buyers require them, and mixed pallets are layered heaviest at the bottom with clear labeling.
GS1 labeling and EDI
Wholesale beverage orders depend on accurate identifiers. Consumer units carry a UPC, cases carry a case-level GTIN that is often printed as an ITF-14 barcode, and pallets carry a GS1-128 label with a unique Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC). Many buyers scan the SSCC at receiving and match it against an advance ship notice.
We can apply case labels, print SSCC pallet labels and send EDI 856 advance ship notices that describe exactly what is on each pallet, including lot numbers and best-by dates where buyers request them. We also support EDI 850 purchase orders and 810 invoices through your EDI provider or ours, and 940 and 945 warehouse documents for brands that manage orders through their own ERP.
Freight booking and appointments
Pallet orders move by LTL or full truckload, often to distribution centers that require scheduled delivery appointments. We can book freight on your accounts or ours, compare LTL carriers by lane, manage bills of lading and freight classification, and schedule pickups to meet buyer delivery windows.
For customer-pickup programs, where a retailer or distributor sends its own truck, we coordinate pickup appointments and have orders staged and ready. Holding inventory in more than one of our 25 U.S. markets lets you serve regional distribution centers from the closest location, which shortens transit times and reduces freight cost on heavy beverage loads.
Shelf-life rules for buyers
Wholesale buyers frequently set minimum remaining shelf life at receipt, and product that arrives too close to its best-by date can be refused. We configure minimum-life rules per customer, so the system only allocates lots that meet each buyer's requirement and keeps shorter-dated stock moving through DTC or other channels.
When a buyer requires a single lot per pallet or per order, allocation logic respects that too. Every pallet's lot contents are recorded, which gives you clean traceability if a buyer asks for documentation or if you ever need to trace a lot through distribution.
What's included
- Routing-guide pallet builds with correct Ti-Hi
- GS1-128 SSCC pallet labels and case labeling
- EDI 850, 856, 810, 940 and 945 support
- LTL and full-truckload booking and appointments
- Per-customer minimum shelf-life allocation
- Single-lot and single-SKU pallet builds
- Customer-pickup staging
Frequently asked questions
What is an SSCC label?
An SSCC label is a GS1-128 barcode label carrying an 18-digit Serial Shipping Container Code that uniquely identifies a pallet or shipping unit. Retailers scan it at receiving and match it to the advance ship notice for that shipment.
Can you ship to beverage distributors and grocery DCs?
Yes. We build and ship pallets to distributors, grocery and convenience distribution centers and direct-store accounts, following each receiver's routing guide and appointment requirements.
Do you need my EDI provider?
Not necessarily. We can connect with your existing EDI provider or arrange EDI connectivity, depending on how your trading partners are set up.
Can DTC and wholesale share inventory?
Yes. DTC and wholesale orders draw from one inventory pool, with allocation rules that reserve longer-dated lots for buyers with shelf-life requirements.