Looking for advice on approaching clothes shops

Gambler

Hey all,

I'm in the process of setting up a new T-shirt business and am looking for any advice people might have on the best way to approach clothing stores with samples of our designs. I'm thinking about approaching individual stores rather than approaching any chain store outlets.

Is it the sort of thing you can drop into a store and ask to speak to someone about or is it something you are better ringing them about. Most of the stores I am thinking of targeting don't seem to have a "head office" and the only number I can find is a store number so I thought I might be just as well dropping in rather than phoning?

Fergal C

You probably know some local store owners or managers, at least a little, perhaps where you buy your own clothes. Contact them first and ask if they'd mind giving you a little help with feedback for your new clothing business. Ask them to help you with research rather than asking to make a sales presentation. Then show them your T-Shirts, ask for their feedback and if they could give you suggestions on how to sell them. Also ask them for feedback on your selling price and then ask if it is something that they'd consider stocking.

When contacting people you don't know, I'd suggest ringing up beforehand and arranging a suitable time to meet the manager or owner, at the store. If that's not working (actually even if it does work) you could try visiting them at a time when they would not normally be busy. Try a few different approaches with a few different stores to see what works and what doesn't.

An eBay store might be something else to consider and you might get some inspiration from the good work being done by Hairy Baby.

Good luck with it!

r3nu4l

Whatever you do, don't just 'drop-in' to the store, it looks unprofessional imo.

Arrange an appointment with the manager/buyer/owner and ask them for some time to present your company, goods and services. Explain how your product line is different to competitors (fabric, colours, design elements, price etc) and how much volume you expect your lines would sell. Most shops will only want to take you on if they think there will be multiple lines of clothing in the future too. Continuity is key.

If you just 'drop-in' you will look like an opportunist at best or a 'fly-by-night' Del-boy type character at worst.

Fergal C

r3nu4l wrote: »

...If you just 'drop-in' you will look like an opportunist at best or a 'fly-by-night' Del-boy type character at worst.

I haven't worked in the clothing trade and to be honest I'd personally be quite reluctant to "drop in" on people. However, in the past I have been quite impressed with people who have visited me at work without an appointment, provided of course they were professional.

No one likes to have their time wasted, but sometimes we can admire people who seize an opportunity and go for it. Obviously, I could be wrong but perhaps the owners of small clothing stores could be like that.

It's a golden rule, you never just drop in. More than likely the decision maker won't be there and you just end up selling to the wrong person, nothing worse. Total waste of time, ring and arrange and appointment, enquire when would they be in the shop et etc, give them some carrot on the phone about good margins etc to get their interest.

Bandara

r3nu4l wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't just 'drop-in' to the store, it looks unprofessional imo.

Arrange an appointment with the manager/buyer/owner and ask them for some time to present your company, goods and services. Explain how your product line is different to competitors (fabric, colours, design elements, price etc) and how much volume you expect your lines would sell. Most shops will only want to take you on if they think there will be multiple lines of clothing in the future too. Continuity is key.

If you just 'drop-in' you will look like an opportunist at best or a 'fly-by-night' Del-boy type character at worst.

I'd disagree

Your just not going to be given an appointment to meet with them, retail stores are too fast moving to plan to meet reps.

I would drop in with your goods to hand, professionally prepared, with your company details, business card and a script in your head.

You can waste months on the phone trying to get hold of someone

They are not going to tell you to go away without hearing your inital 30 second pitch, if they see a strong margin in the product and its suitable for their store they will discuss it with you, its in their interest.

bigneacy

Best idea is to ring ahead, Don't ask for an appointment, that'll shut them off and they'll fob you off til whenever, Tell them what you are doing and that you wanted to call in ask if monday or tuesday would be good for them. you're setting a time, not letting them set it. If they say wednesday instead you've got a result, because its not wednesday three weeks.

Oh... and try to get the name of the manager/owner first. Will help a great deal in getting past the "gatekeeper".

use google or qype or one of the directory sites.

Beechman

Can I suggest that you look for a freelance sales agent who has already got a foot in the door and can get you instant orders. Agents like these are alway looking for new lines and it will save you the leg work until you establish the line

Im not sure why so many people are saying dont just drop in etc. Unless there is something in the clothes business thats different from any other business. But sales is sales, and if you sit behind a phone and get fobbed off by gatekeepers, thats the end of your business. You'll see a lot of people on the dragons den for example who come on and say, I tried to phone and couldnt get anyone. And you'll see the dragons shaking their head and asking why havent you gone down there yourself?

In my opinion the first thing you should be doing is dropping in and speaking to them. As Hammer suggests, just be very professional, have your pitch right and your presentation short and snappy.

Lots of small clothes stores are run by the owners, especially now where they mightnt be able to afford staff.

Take yourself a notebook with you and if the boss isnt at the store make a note of when he/she is returning or the days they work. Get yourself a little database of your potential clients and try and hit them all over time, improving your sales pitch each day.