selling to the retailers

mistermarketing

Hey business forum..

I have a product sourced and all of that aspect of my small business start up, except for sales.

I will be selling my product specifically to retailers and small business whom have a premises...this product will not be sold on by retailers but will be used in there shop as a fixture

How do you propose i go about getting my name and product(its nothing new) out there...how will i sell and advertise to these retailers.

Any comments both positive and critical very much so welcomed!!

TheCostumeShop.ie: Ronan

Whats the product? If its nothing new than you can probably share here.

drunkmonkey

mistermarketing wrote: »

this product will not be sold on by retailers but will be used in there shop as a fixture

will it drive in customers, will I be able to make a profit on it?

mistermarketing

Yes it will draw in people...how would you propose selling such to retailers?

CapedCrusader

Well, I guess what Drunk Monkey is saying is that if it really will drive in customers, you're job will be to show retailers how it will drive in customers. If it really does, it should sell itself.

drunkmonkey

mistermarketing wrote: »

Yes it will draw in people...how would you propose selling such to retailers?

you've got my attention, now lets's hear the pitch....

DubTony

Mistermarketing, any chance you could let us know what the product is? A fixture that would drive footfall is very unusual in my business (c-store) unless it's an ATM or some other service type thing, but they're usually supplied, and not sold, so the service can be offered.

mistermarketing

No offence guys but i really wouldnt be comfortable telling everyone about this product on a public forum...i just cant afford any competition at the moment

All i am asking is how can i introduce myself and product to the market.how do i go about initialising sales at first and advertise my company?

Cheers any help = much appreciated.

drunkmonkey

mistermarketing wrote: »

No offence guys but i really wouldnt be comfortable telling everyone about this product on a public forum...i just cant afford any competition at the moment

All i am asking is how can i introduce myself and product to the market.how do i go about initialising sales at first and advertise my company?

Cheers any help = much appreciated.

That's completly understandable, your completly right to keep the lips sealed...

best thing you could do is drop into a few retailers and see what they say, a pm to myself or dub tony would give you a good idea of the reaction you could expect...;)

DubTony

In all seriousness, if you're afraid to put it out there I don't see how you can advertise or market the product. While I can understand your apprehension at "revealing" your product, so as to avoid competition, isn't it possible that the first prospect you talk to may think it's a great idea and decide to compete with you? Unless you use the same approach you're using here.

"I have this thing that will drive footfall for you. Do you want one?"
"What is it?"
"I can't tell you but do you want one?"
"NO now ..." I think you know what comes next.

I'm a retailer, others around here are too. I think we may be a part of your target market. You could be talking to your customers and might even make a sale.

If you asked how to sell bananas you'd be told one thing. If you asked how to sell a 2 metre chilled display unit you'd be told something else.

I think the ball's in your court. Maybe you should take it to the Marketing forum. Don't tell them I sent you though.

DubTony

drunkmonkey wrote: »

That's completly understandable, your completly right to keep the lips sealed...

best thing you could do is drop into a few retailers and see what they say, a pm to myself or dub tony would give you a good idea of the reaction you could expect...;)

... LOL , and then I posted that. I'll happily answer a PM, and the OP can rest assured I won't be competing with him.... 'cos I'm f*cking broke.

Bandara

mistermarketing wrote: »

Yes it will draw in people...how would you propose selling such to retailers?

first off i'm never buying it from a new company, if you come into me and I like your idea I'm going to skip you and then go directly to the largest player in the market as I'd be more confident dealing with them rather than a startup business.

Unless you can do something to make me believe that your worth a punt on. If you came into me and demoed the product and gave me the sales pitch I would challenge your claim that it will increase footfall to one of my stores by asking you to install/provide your product or service for a trial 3 month period. If it hits a certain pre agreed target or improvement in footfall etc then happy days, where do I sign. If it doesn;t then we both go our seperate ways as the product doesn;t do whats claimed of it.

You can't refuse such a suggestion, it either works and you get the business or it doesn't work and you don't. (If there is setup or install costs we can split them between us intially with your half being paid for by me if I do eventually buy the product).

DubTony

Hammertime wrote: »

first off i'm never buying it from a new company, if you come into me and I like your idea I'm going to skip you and then go directly to the largest player in the market as I'd be more confident dealing with them rather than a startup business.

Unless you can do something to make me believe that your worth a punt on. If you came into me and demoed the product and gave me the sales pitch I would challenge your claim that it will increase footfall to one of my stores by asking you to install/provide your product or service for a trial 3 month period. If it hits a certain pre agreed target or improvement in footfall etc then happy days, where do I sign. If it doesn;t then we both go our seperate ways as the product doesn;t do whats claimed of it.

You can't refuse such a suggestion, it either works and you get the business or it doesn't work and you don't. (If there is setup or install costs we can split them between us intially with your half being paid for by me if I do eventually buy the product).

Of course the OP could always deal with a reasonable fellah, instead of a cantankerous (sp.) prick like me.

homeOwner

mistermarketing wrote: »

How do you propose i go about getting my name and product(its nothing new) out there...how will i sell and advertise to these retailers.

These may be stupid suggestions but I thought of these:
Is there a trade magazine for retailers? You could advertise there. Other than that maybe cold calling, start hitting the pavement and get a few "reference" customers to try it out for a few months at a reduced cost. If it works, word will spread. Where do retailers get their supplies - Musgraves(?), maybe you could see if they will sell it for you for a %, if you cant get any customers yourself.

drunkmonkey

the only one I get in the post is Shelf Life, http://www.shelflife.ie/

is there any other magazines out there....

Bandara

drunkmonkey wrote: »

the only one I get in the post is Shelf Life, http://www.shelflife.ie/

is there any other magazines out there....

Forecourt & Convenience Retailer, Checkout Magazine and then the individaul sysmbol groups have their own publications.

duncanb

Ok cheers to all you guys, i think i will just start coldcallin into the shops and try make a few sales to get me up and running...

fell free to post if you have any other thoughts:)

dylanbytwo

Hi Dunc,
I was in retail for 7 years dealing with reps everyday.i had to leave last year due to unforseen family circumstances, and now am at home all day looking after my school going son.I have used all my experience to get something up and running from home suppyling particular stores with a product.I only started this last october and what I did was:I made a catalouge of my products with good photos, great descriptions, quantities, minimum orders, delivery, return policy, credit terms and of course cost to retailers. I Printed everything from home and found 10 shops that would suit my products. I addressed it to the purchasing manager of each store and asked them if they were interested in stocking my products that I can call in to discuss it further with them at their convenience. I posted the catalouges 3 weeks ago and have had 3 replies back, nothing definate but i have secured an appointment with the sales team witin the next 2 weeks.I found that cold calling to our shop resulted in nothing, as all purchasing managers hate unexpected reps calling and will only deal by appointment, we got up to 30 catalouges a week i would personally bring them home and have a good look in my own time, and if i was into a product selling in the shop i rang for the rep to call in and we took it from there.Make sure you have done your homework on cost to retailers, work out the margins for them not the mark up, be clear on carraige and return policys, availability of stock, and your credit terms. if you are supplying a product can you give the retailer free stock on his first order, he surely will allocate you an extra few feet in the shop......good luck....hope all goes well

Chonker

+ to the post above. Its the only way unless you can get access to large chains via friends or acquaintances. That way you have a platform and proof that your product is worth stocking. Pick one large chain who may benifit from your product and focus your energy on that that deal by hook or by crook to establish your product.