How do you select your brand partners?
How do you select your brand partners?
We're picky about who we work with—and intentionally so. Every brand on Droppe meets strict quality, safety, and service standards.
Our selection criteria
Before partnering with any brand, they must meet all of these requirements:
1. European manufacturing or authorized distribution
What we require:
- Based in EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland
- Manufacturing happens in Europe (not just European brand importing from Asia)
- OR authorized European distributor with local presence
Why this matters: Faster delivery, stronger safety standards, better customer support. We verify this—don't just take their word for it.
2. EU safety certifications (for PPE products)
What we require:
- CE marking with proper documentation
- PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 compliance for safety equipment
- REACH compliance (no banned chemicals)
- ISO certifications where applicable
Why this matters: Your team's safety isn't negotiable. We only work with brands that follow EU safety regulations—not self-certified knock-offs.
3. Ability to ship directly to customers (DDP terms)
What we require:
- Brands ship from their own European warehouses
- Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) fulfillment—no surprise customs fees
- Reliable tracking and delivery updates
- Average 2-5 business day delivery within EU
Why this matters: You shouldn't wait 3 weeks for workwear. Direct fulfillment from brand warehouses means faster delivery and fresher stock.
4. Order confirmation within 24 hours
What we require:
- Brands confirm, modify, or decline orders within 24 hours
- Proactive communication if stock issues arise
- Clear expected delivery timelines
Why this matters: Workwear is usually urgent. If a brand takes 3 days to confirm your order, that's 3 days wasted. We hold brands accountable for responsiveness.
5. Product quality and customer satisfaction
What we track:
- Return rates (high returns = quality problems)
- Defect rates (manufacturing issues)
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Sizing consistency and accuracy
Why this matters: We monitor performance continuously. Brands with chronic quality issues get dropped—no second chances when it affects customer trust.
What we look for (beyond the basics)
Meeting minimum requirements isn't enough. We prioritize brands that:
Have strong reputations:
- Established track record in workwear industry
- Positive reviews from other buyers
- Known for quality and reliability
Offer competitive pricing:
- Fair prices without sacrificing quality
- Transparent pricing (no hidden fees or surcharges)
- Volume discounts for larger orders
Provide excellent support:
- Responsive customer service
- Sizing guidance and product expertise
- Willingness to resolve issues quickly
Innovate and improve:
- Invest in product development
- Adopt sustainable manufacturing practices
- Listen to customer feedback
What disqualifies a brand?
We won't work with brands that:
- ❌ Manufacture outside Europe (even if European-branded)
- ❌ Fake certifications (CE marking without proper testing)
- ❌ Consistently miss delivery timelines (unreliable fulfillment)
- ❌ Have high defect rates (chronic quality issues)
- ❌ Ignore customer complaints (poor service responsiveness)
- ❌ Use banned chemicals (REACH violations)
Our philosophy: One bad brand damages trust for everyone. We'd rather have 250 great brands than 500 mediocre ones.
How the vetting process works
Step 1: Initial application
- Brand applies via droppe.com/suppliers
- Provides company info, product catalog, certifications
Step 2: Document verification
- We verify EU business registration
- Check safety certifications with notified bodies
- Review warehouse locations and shipping capabilities
Step 3: Product quality check
- Request product samples for evaluation
- Verify sizing accuracy and build quality
- Test packaging and labeling compliance
Step 4: Trial period
- Limited product listing for first 90 days
- Monitor order fulfillment speed and quality
- Track customer feedback and return rates
Step 5: Full partnership
- If trial succeeds, expand product catalog
- Ongoing performance monitoring
- Continuous improvement discussions
What brands get in return
No upfront costs:
- Free to list products
- No monthly platform fees
- Only pay a success fee (5%) on completed sales
Marketing support:
- Featured placements on droppe.com
- Inclusion in category pages and search results
- Co-marketing campaigns and advertising
Direct customer relationships:
- Brands ship directly—maintain quality control
- Can include brand materials in packaging
- Build reputation through customer reviews
Fair terms:
- Quarterly invoicing (not monthly)
- Clear payment terms (net 30 days after delivery to buyer)
- No hidden fees or surprise deductions
Read more: Are you a brand? Learn about our partnership terms
How we monitor ongoing performance
Partnership doesn't stop after onboarding. We track:
Fulfillment metrics:
- Order confirmation speed (target: <24 hours)
- Delivery timeline accuracy
- Tracking update frequency
Quality metrics:
- Return rates by product
- Defect rates and warranty claims
- Customer review ratings
Service metrics:
- Response time to customer inquiries
- Issue resolution speed
- Proactive communication on stock issues
Compliance metrics:
- Certification renewals and updates
- REACH compliance for new products
- Packaging and labeling accuracy
Can customers influence brand selection?
Yes—absolutely.
How customer feedback shapes our catalog:
- High demand: If many customers request a specific brand, we prioritize outreach
- Quality issues: Negative reviews trigger investigations and corrective action
- Product gaps: Requests for unavailable products guide our recruitment efforts
Want a specific brand added? Let us know—we track all requests and prioritize based on demand.
Why this approach works
Our philosophy: A marketplace is only as good as the brands it represents.
What we think is fair:
- Customers deserve quality, safety, and reliability
- Brands deserve fair terms and marketing support
- Droppe earns trust by being selective and holding partners accountable
The result: You can confidently order from any brand on Droppe, knowing they've met our standards.
Questions about our brand selection?
Thinking of partnering with us? Apply at droppe.com/suppliers or contact our supplier team.
Concerns about a specific brand? Drop us a message and we'll investigate.
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Updated on: 06/11/2025
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