Finding Retailers?

[ShaunR]

I've 'officially' started my business after a year of testing ideas and trying new products. I manufacture handmade leather goods and am self-employed. I am in the process of setting up an online store on my own website and I operate on Etsy as well.

Due to the nature of my products I dont sell on ebay (mostly because ebay users want low price and dont know who theyre buying off) so my products wouldnt do so well there I Imagine as theyre highly priced compared to some of the cheap tat you can buy.

Anyways, I've come to the conclusion that wholesale is a good way to go as well as selling myself online. I want to offer my products to mens and womens stores to sell, with an aimed 100% retail mark up above trade price for retailers to gain. There are few local retailers who would want to sell my products because everything is about selling cheaper products. Im aiming for a niche where mid-range priced products (£25-55, Belts, Wallets, Device Cases, clutch bags etc...) would be sold to a specific audience.

How do I find these businesses? Is there a specific way to approach a more niche shop? Does anybody know any business which is looking to stock handmade leather goods? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[LowPrices.uk]

I only do business online, but if I was looking for real world retailers, I would just go to their shops and show them my products. Also, I expect there are some relevant trade shows where you can showcase your products to retailers.

 

[SEOEnroll]

I only do business online, but if I was looking for real world retailers, I would just go to their shops and show them my products. Also, I expect there are some relevant trade shows where you can showcase your products to retailers.

This is really a good suggestion.. Use Google to find a list of Retails who could be interested in your product.. Personally drop into their store & show them the product.. As the retailer gets to see & feel the product it increases the chances of buying your product.. Keep us updated on what worked out best for you.

 

[Stuart Bailey]

you can buy databases with details of the companies who sell leather. Once you have obtained that give them a ring.

 

[Pink Broccoli]

You could consider showing at one of the Uk's gift fairs, Harrogate in July, Spring and Autumn at the NEC B'ham and Top Drawer London, Spring & Aut, plus shows like Pulse in London. It's a bit of an outlay but straight away you are introduced to trade customers going there to buy. If not I agree with the other suggestion of getting out there, visiting these shops face to face and building it from there. I'd also highly recommend Twitter and Facebook for building awareness, I've been really surprised at how many orders I've had from retailers direct from Twitter. Hope that helps

 

[oldoakey]

Some good advice above but if you make your own products then ultimately how do you find the time to service the retail stores.

This could prove to be a problem in the long term so I would look to set on an agent/agents that would do the leg work for you. The agents generally carry several companies products to the same sort of retail outlet. You would have to pay commission but this could work out much cheaper than having to travel to these outlets every six weeks or so. And they only get paid when they make a sale.

The main issue there is whether you can get any agents to take your products on.