Retailers + Distributors + Small Shops :: How Are You Getting Your New Products Out There?

[contract]

(** Outside of the internet and your own brand marketing efforts)

I've been digging around but can't seem to find much... Are there any books or websites with more information on the process? I'm not talking about general BusinessInsider, INC, etc articles that say to pitch to a store manager, open a trade show booth, and call it a day.. I'm looking for REAL advice/knowledge on how it works, and it's proving to be difficult to discover.

(ie. Taking a finished product and getting it into stores, retailers, finding distributors and buyers, pitching to them, sending samples, etc)

Or ones that answer questions like: (What is typical first purchase volume? 10 products, 100, 10,000?, What happens if those products don't sell in the retail store, are they returned, sold off to another company, etc?)

How do you pitch your product to these places/brands/stores/etc? Are you sending samples, if so, what happens if you're selling a higher ticket item starting out?

 

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[CarrieW]

gee you don't ask easy ones do ya LOL

there are multiple ways of going about it. a lot of it depends on the industry... do you have a specific place you are thinking of or industry.. that will help me give you info

 

[contract]

Anything you'd see in Nordstrom would be the ideal placement for my product lines.

I'm selling luxury..

 

[jazb]

Pay for a call with Jack.

 

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[CarrieW]

Anything you'd see in Nordstrom would be the ideal placement for my product lines.

I'm selling luxury..

dude theres a lot of shit in nordstrom id bet (dont know never been there) you talking jewelry, clothing (kids mens womens shoes) bags briefcases....

I need an INDUSTRY not a store. luxury is an idea... not a product LOL

 

[benhebert]

(** Outside of the internet and your own brand marketing efforts)

I've been digging around but can't seem to find much... Are there any books or websites with more information on the process? I'm not talking about general BusinessInsider, INC, etc articles that say to pitch to a store manager, open a trade show booth, and call it a day.. I'm looking for REAL advice/knowledge on how it works, and it's proving to be difficult to discover.

(ie. Taking a finished product and getting it into stores, retailers, finding distributors and buyers, pitching to them, sending samples, etc)

Or ones that answer questions like: (What is typical first purchase volume? 10 products, 100, 10,000?, What happens if those products don't sell in the retail store, are they returned, sold off to another company, etc?)

How do you pitch your product to these places/brands/stores/etc? Are you sending samples, if so, what happens if you're selling a higher ticket item starting out?

A lot of this will depend on the item. If you're in a business where samples are common, do something DIFFERENT to get the attention of the purchasing manager.

I like to build personal relationships + push the product so that it comes to the point where people are asking you for it.

 

[CPisHere]

Retail owner here.

Would an independent retailer sell your product? If yes, go visit them in-person. Many times owners will be there in the store. Bring a sample. If you don't have any proven traction, retailers may require you to put it on consignment - so they don't pay you for the goods until they sell them.

In order to get into a larger retailer (like Nordstroms), you have to get in touch with a Buyer. You can do this via networking, or more haphazardly by getting booths at trade shows that you think they attend. But the large stores are almost always going to want to see established sales (via independent retailers or your own site online) before taking you on.

 

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[LightHouse]

What have you tried so far and what were the results?

 

[SarahSH]

When I have a good idea of what my bottom line cost will be and the product flaws are fixed, I plan on personally visiting local retailers with samples. Before this happens, in order to get the scoop on proper etiquette and what retailers will expect from me as a distributor trying to sell to them; I am going to buy a local shop owner, of whose shop I frequent, lunch and ask some questions.

 

[Ashten]

Ive never done the process, but I'm planning on it. I mean look at all the different brands & products in stores, especially new ones added all the time. I'd say call corporate retailers, ask them & go from there. Im sure they will shoot you in the right direction.

 

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