1.
supplier; vendor; source of goods; procurement source
A company, person, or place from which goods are purchased for resale or use in business. A fundamental term in commerce and business.
新しい仕入先を探す。
To look for a new supplier.
仕入先との価格交渉が難航している。
Price negotiations with the supplier are proving difficult.
仕入先を複数確保しておくことで、供給リスクを分散できる。
By securing multiple suppliers, you can spread the supply risk.
Composed of 仕入れ (purchasing, stocking) + 先 (destination, party). The suffix 先 is productive in business Japanese, creating words for counterparties: 取引先 (business partner), 納入先 (delivery destination), 販売先 (customer/sales destination).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 仕入先を探す: to look for a supplier
- 仕入先を変える: to change suppliers
- 仕入先との関係: relationship with suppliers
- 仕入先を開拓する: to develop new suppliers
SIMILAR WORDS:
- サプライヤー: supplier (loanword; common in manufacturing and international business)
- 取引先: business partner (broader; includes both suppliers and customers)
- 卸売業者: wholesaler (a specific type of supplier)