Vähimmäiserä

Vähimmäiserä, a Finnish term, translates to "minimum quantity" or "minimum order quantity" in English. It refers to the smallest amount of a product or service that a supplier is willing to sell or a customer is willing to buy. This concept is common in business-to-business transactions and also appears in some consumer contexts.

The purpose of a vähimmäiserä can vary. For suppliers, it often relates to production efficiency, bulk discounts on raw materials, or the cost-effectiveness of processing an order. Producing or shipping very small quantities might be unprofitable due to fixed costs. For buyers, a vähimmäiserä can encourage larger purchases, potentially leading to lower unit prices or ensuring a sufficient stock level.

When a vähimmäiserä is in place, a buyer cannot typically purchase less than the specified amount. If a buyer needs less, they may have to negotiate with the supplier, pay a premium, or seek an alternative supplier who does not have such a requirement. The size of the vähimmäiserä is determined by factors such as the nature of the product, the industry, and the supplier's business model. For example, a manufacturer of custom components will likely have a higher vähimmäiserä than a retailer selling standard consumer goods.