SMS Benchmarks for Food Wholesale

Understanding SMS benchmarks helps food wholesale businesses navigate evolving buyer expectations and communication habits. In this guide, we explore key SMS performance metrics shaping how distributors and suppliers connect with customers and partners.

Average Response Rate

The average response rate in food wholesale is typically around 20 to 30 percent, reflecting how often buyers answer SMS messages from suppliers.

Response rate expresses the portion of recipients who reply to texts, found by dividing the number of responses by the total count of messages that were successfully delivered.

In food wholesale, this metric reveals how engaged purchasing managers, chefs, and store owners are when suppliers share updates on pricing, inventory, shipment timing, or product substitutions.

When response rates remain solid, communication tends to be faster and more reliable, which helps reduce waste, avoid stock gaps, and keep supply chains running smoothly.

Average Opt-Out Rate

The average opt-out rate for food wholesale is typically around 0.5 to 1.0 percent, reflecting a moderate level of list turnover.

The opt-out rate captures the portion of contacts who reply STOP or otherwise unsubscribe from your SMS list within a given period.

It is calculated by dividing the number of opt-outs by the total count of successfully delivered messages, then multiplying by one hundred to express it as a percentage.

In food wholesale, this metric signals how buyers respond to price sheets, delivery updates, and limited time inventory alerts.

Keeping opt-out rate relatively low helps preserve strong distributor and retailer relationships and supports reliable communication around time sensitive stock.

Average Click-Through Rate

The average click-through rate in food wholesale is 11–16% and indicates how frequently buyers engage with links in SMS campaigns.

Click-through rate shows the proportion of delivered texts that lead to at least one tap on a tracked link.

To calculate it, divide the number of total link clicks by the number of successfully delivered messages, then multiply by 100.

In food wholesale, a strong click-through rate reveals whether product updates, stock alerts, pricing notices, and promotional offers feel useful to trade customers.

It helps teams make sure their messaging supports smoother ordering, better inventory coordination, and more responsive supplier relationships.

Average Conversion Rate

The average conversion rate for food wholesale is 1.2–2.0 percent, suggesting that only a small share of recipients move from reading a message to placing or expanding an order.

Conversion rate describes the proportion of people who complete a specific outcome such as submitting a bulk order form, confirming a standing delivery, or requesting a product list after receiving a message.

To calculate it, wholesalers divide the number of these successful actions by the total number of delivered messages, then express the result as a percentage.

This metric matters in food wholesale because it reflects how clearly communication supports inventory planning, recurring sales, and dependable relationships with trade customers.

Average Delivery Rate

The average delivery rate for food wholesale SMS is 98–99%, showing that messages almost always reach the recipient as planned.

This consistency supports reliable coordination between distributors, buyers, and logistics partners.

Delivery rate describes the share of messages that successfully land on devices compared with the total number dispatched.

It is usually calculated by dividing delivered SMS by all sent SMS, after removing attempts that fail because of issues like invalid phone numbers or operator level filtering.

In food wholesale, a strong delivery rate is crucial for time sensitive updates on stock arrivals, substitutions, delivery windows, temperature critical items, and payment or invoicing reminders.

Average Open Rate

The average open rate is 98%, which shows that people in food wholesale almost always read the text messages they receive.

This open rate tells us what portion of delivered texts are actually viewed by recipients.

It is calculated by taking the number of messages opened, dividing by the number of messages successfully delivered, then multiplying that result by 100.

In food wholesale, this metric matters because it reflects how reliably buyers and suppliers see time sensitive updates about stock levels, delivery schedules, and order changes.

High open rates make sure essential details reach the right people exactly when decisions are being made.

Average Time to Read

The average time to read an SMS in food wholesale is 3 minutes.

Time to read describes how long it takes recipients to open and view a text after it has been delivered to their device.

It is calculated by tracking the time gap between successful delivery and the first open across a large volume of messages, then averaging those results.

This measure is important in food wholesale because timely reading affects fresh inventory alerts, delivery slot confirmations, urgent product recalls, pricing changes, and coordination between suppliers, distributors, and buyers.

Average Response Time

The average response time for food wholesale is 90 seconds, showing how quickly buyers and suppliers usually answer after getting a text message.

Response time is the period between delivery of a text and the moment the first reply is sent.

It is calculated by averaging this time gap across all text conversations within a set timeframe.

In food wholesale, response time is crucial because prompt replies support fresher inventory decisions, quicker order confirmations, and faster problem solving when supply issues appear.

A shorter response time also signals strong engagement, which helps teams coordinate logistics smoothly and make sure partners stay informed.

Average Bounce Rate

The average bounce rate is 1–2% in food wholesale, which means that only a tiny portion of outbound text messages never reach buyers or suppliers.

This tiny slice is especially revealing in a sector where daily purchasing, stock checks, and delivery updates rely on timely and accurate messaging.

Bounce rate is calculated by taking the number of failed SMS deliveries, dividing it by the total volume of messages sent, and converting that figure into a percentage.

In food wholesale this metric matters because dependable delivery supports order confirmations, shipment alerts, and urgent notifications about product availability or safety.

Why Are SMS Metrics Important?

Sms metrics matter a lot for businesses in food wholesale because they show how well messages are reaching buyers who need fast and accurate information.

Whether confirming orders, updating delivery times, or flagging stock issues, strong sms performance helps make sure vital details arrive when they are needed most.

Tracking delivery rate, open rate, and response rate reveals how actively distributors and customers are engaging with each message.

Watching conversion and click through rates shows which texts actually drive actions like placing new orders or adjusting shipments.

By understanding these metrics, food wholesale businesses can refine communication and support more efficient, dependable supply chains.

Overview of Food Wholesale

The food wholesale sector depends on fast and accurate communication to keep products moving, inventories aligned, and partners informed.

Distributors, retailers, and logistics teams all expect information that is timely, precise, and easy to access on the go.

SMS offers near universal reach and extremely high engagement rates, making it ideal for delivering critical updates without delay.

Messages are typically read within minutes, which helps reduce bottlenecks, support better coordination, and protect perishable stock.

By making sure communication is immediate, reliable, and mobile friendly, sms helps food wholesale businesses maintain efficiency, strengthen relationships across the supply chain, and support smoother daily operations.

SMS Use Cases in Food Wholesale

SMS is valuable for food wholesale because it accelerates order flow, reduces spoilage, and keeps buyers, drivers, and warehouse teams aligned.

Short timestamped messages cut coordination time and create an auditable trail for traceability and compliance.

Order confirmations and pick alerts - Send instant confirmations and pick-and-pack alerts to warehouse crews and buyers to make sure perishable orders leave on time.

Recall and batch alerts - Target affected buyers and carriers with lot numbers, handling steps, and return instructions so recalled product is isolated quickly.

Delivery ETAs and driver updates - Push ETA windows, photo proof, and arrival texts so recipients can accept shipments and reduce missed deliveries.

FAQs About SMS Benchmarks for Food Wholesale

How can food wholesale companies use SMS to streamline order management?

Food wholesale companies can use SMS to confirm orders, notify customers of any changes, and share pickup or delivery windows. This helps buyers react quickly if something needs to be adjusted and keeps the ordering process smooth.

SMS can also be used to send last-minute substitutions when certain products are out of stock. Buyers can reply directly to approve or reject alternatives without needing phone calls or emails.

How does SMS help food wholesale businesses manage time-sensitive inventory?

Food wholesale operations often deal with products that have short shelf lives, so fast communication is critical. SMS allows wholesalers to alert customers quickly about surplus stock, expiring items, or sudden availability of high-demand products.

By sending targeted SMS alerts, wholesalers can move perishable goods faster and reduce waste. Customers also benefit from timely opportunities to purchase fresh stock at the right moment.

How can SMS improve customer relationships in food wholesale?

Regular SMS updates about order status, delivery progress, and issue resolution help build trust with buyers. Customers feel informed and supported throughout the purchasing process.

Wholesalers can also use SMS to gather quick feedback after deliveries or service interactions. This creates a simple channel for customers to share concerns and feel heard.

What role can SMS play in coordinating food wholesale deliveries?

SMS is useful for sharing real-time delivery information, such as driver arrival times, route changes, or unexpected delays. This helps receiving teams prepare loading docks and staff in advance.

Drivers or logistics teams can send SMS updates when they are close to the destination or if they face traffic or access issues. This reduces confusion at delivery sites and keeps schedules on track.