There are several valuable components of a supplier program that go well beyond the base rebate. These additional incentives offer opportunities to enhance the financial value of your partnerships based on your growth. To gain every possible advantage from your NetPlus membership, I recommend looking into each of these areas of your partners’ programs available in the NetPlus Portal.
Your membership gives you access to rebate programs with all NetPlus suppliers. Distributors earn a base rebate on purchases for each active supplier back to the first dollar. The base rebate is a percent applied to your total purchases, and to ensure this payment, it is important that you are in good standing, paying on time and in some cases, not paying with credit cards. All programs pay a base rebate and vary by supplier, category, and product type. Program details can be accessed in the NetPlus Portal.
Many supplier programs pay an additional rebate if the individual distributor reaches defined growth levels. Individual growth rebates are in addition to the base rebates. Programs can include up to three levels. As an example, grow by 7% score an extra 1%. Grow by 15% and score an extra 2%. Grow by 20% and score an extra 3%.
Many programs pay an additional rebate to all distributors purchasing that brand if NetPlus reaches defined growth levels. Group growth rebates are also paid in addition to the base rebates, so they would stack on top of your base rebate and any individual growth rebates. Just like individual growth rebates, there can be up to three levels. As an example, if NetPlus grows by 5%, everyone buying the brand scores an extra 0.5%. If NetPlus grows by 10% everyone buying the brand scores an extra 1% or if NetPlus grows by 15% everyone buying the brand scores an extra 1.5%.
New in 2025, the Sales Accelerator Program badge indicates when a supplier program includes both individual and group growth rebate programs. Find the badge next to Sales Accelerator Program Partners in the supplier list to identify the suppliers who are eager to support your continued growth through enhanced incentives.
Each supplier program includes additional benefits identified as NetPlus Advantages. These benefits can make it easier to get started with a new supplier and offer additional financial rewards for members. Not all rebate programs include every additional benefit, but some programs may have one or more of the following NetPlus Advantages.
1. Lower Opening Order Requirements
Suppliers will often publish minimum opening order requirements to begin doing business with them. Many suppliers reduce those opening order requirements for NetPlus members.
2. Lower Cost of Goods
A sizable number of NetPlus suppliers offer members an additional discount or easier access to better pricing as part of their NetPlus program. For example, that could mean members receive the end column pricing, or an extra 5% off end column, or end column pricing with a reduced volume requirement.
3. Lower Prepaid Freight
NetPlus advocates for reduced prepaid freight as part of our supplier programs. While we work to obtain this as often as possible, the reality is that freight is costly for everyone. That makes this difficult to achieve, but we will negotiate for it on your behalf when possible. Some programs will reduce the minimum order value and not the freight prepaid value.
4. Enhanced Payment Terms
Better than published payment terms are often included in the NetPlus programs. Examples of published terms might be 1% 10 net 30 and NetPlus members may receive 2% 10 net 30 or 2% 30 net 31. Early pay terms are specific to each supplier and can be profitable for distributors. Think about taking advantage of these special payment terms as often as possible, even if it is only when cash flow affords you the opportunity to do it. These are identified in each supplier program, and there is also a report available in the Portal to identify the payment terms for all suppliers.
5. Co-Op Program
Typically, a percentage of your previous year’s purchases can be used for advertising. Members use these to pay for quarterly promotion flyers, banner ads on their website, co-branding apparel for their work staff, golf outing sponsorship, putting the supplier’s logo on their delivery trucks, and Growth Plus incentives. Each program is unique, so please review it in the Portal. Just like the payment terms above, there is a full report in the Portal identifying co-op programs and their value.
6. Conversion Allowance
It is important for your business and NetPlus that you purchase as much as possible from suppliers within the NetPlus network. As this practice continues to pick up pace, suppliers have added and are willing to talk about a conversion program that can include extra rebate for you when bringing in a product from suppliers outside the group. Many are based on this opportunity, so be sure to discuss this as part of your planning process. There are programs in the Portal that pay members an extra 5% to convert to their brand.
7. Lower Annual Required Minimum
Many suppliers publish annual minimum purchase values to either acquire or maintain their brand. NetPlus negotiates to lower this annual required minimum for our members so you can get started or maintain important brands direct. Sometimes it is better for cash flow to utilize a NetPlus wholesaler than to buy direct, and they often provide access to additional brands as well.
8. Growth Plus Sales Planning
While not required, suppliers are free to offer additional funding as part of the Growth Plus planning process. Maybe returning competitive inventory as part of a conversion or a bonus once you achieve the present goals. Ask for something extra while building your Growth Plus plan. You may be surprised by what your partners are willing to provide in return for your loyal growth.
9. Easier Access to Brands
We hear all the time about how NetPlus membership makes it easier to gain access to brands. A member recently told me they believed being able to easily get set up with suppliers and knowing they are starting with a competitive program might be the greatest NetPlus benefit. In this group, you have access to all network suppliers without restrictions.
Supplier programs are unique and offer numerous opportunities to increase your financial return. The details are all in the Portal for you to explore and build your strategy around. Leverage the NetPlus Business Development team to assist with understanding the supplier programs to drive more purchases through the group and explore how you can maximize your membership.
NetPlus and the NetPlus supplier community appreciate it when members get the most from their membership. Take the time to understand the supplier programs you’re currently part of and interested in adding and see what they can do for you. Claim those growth rebates and utilize NetPlus Advantages to increase both productivity and profit for your company!