How common is the authorized retailing contract model for ecommerce stores?

[mvmishler]

Hello, so we're new at shopify but no ecommerce, but have a question.

We'd like to set up a shopify store and begin reselling cosmetic products through our store.  We don't want to purchase or handle the inventory but would rather resell products for another company such as Avon or Maybelline, but I understand that we need what is called a 'authorized retailing contract' through the companies that we'd like to resell through.

My question would be then, is this a common model of setting up a store on shopify?  Do other people do this and is it successful.  Being new we would like any insight/direction that someone could shine light on, perhaps an idea on how to start this?

Thanks in advance for your replies.