MidwestLandlord
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- Dec 6, 2016
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I also spoke to @jpanarra and he told me, "Hey, Why not just go into a store, pick a random store nearby, Ask to talk to a manager, (pitch your product) and ask how much for a space on the shelf."
If they reject me, It's still a good way to get a conversation started or build a network. This is a good example of how it can work.
How to Persuade a Huge Retailer to Give You Shelf Space
Other's might disagree with me here, but I would NOT pitch your product in store. Especially if it is a location in a large chain or franchise.
Honestly, you'd probably get asked to leave for soliciting at worst, and get no where at best.
I would go into the store with the intent of gathering information on their corporate structure and contacts, learning whatever you can from the manager you talk to (people love to talk about their jobs), and gaining experience having these types of conversations. Hopefully you'll leave with a corporate contact phone number (that's not just their main number) and maybe an idea of who the decision maker is.
Have a conversation, instead of "selling"
If it's a mom & pop place with only one location, then I'd pitch the sale, because you are probably talking to the decision maker at that point.
If it's a mom & pop place with multiple locations, I would be prepared to leave information for them to pass on to the decision maker. Chances are high that the store manager talks to the decision maker frequently, and they MAY pass on your info. (if they thought you were pushy, I promise your stuff goes in the trash though...people are vindictive like that haha)
I'm a relatively small retailer, and I have specific processes in place to screen out people like yourself and avoid wasting my time. The one's that make it through to me are the one's that don't harass my help with sales pitches (leave a good impression), have products that fit the overall product type of my stores, and leave marketing info that is attention grabbing (or has low risk benefits "first two cases free!")
I'm very aware of what my competitor's sell, so it helps if I've seen the product in one of their stores too.
My employee's are NOT allowed to give out contact info beyond our main corporate office number and email, and are not allowed to give out my name to salesman either. Both the location employee's and my office employee's are well trained on stone-walling sales pitches. It's the marketing materials they leave that gets a response from me.
Hope that helps.
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