New hair and beauty product to UK market

[Sylvia AsAmI]

I have a new hair product I'd like to introduce to uk and afican market. I want my brand to be the first to introduce to this market and to monopolise on this opportunity before other more established businesses do....I've literally just received the sample today. I would like to bring a new type of hair extension to the UK market. It has only just been introduce to the US market so it is just a matter of time before a company brings it to the UK. I want to be that company. I believe it it is definitely what's missing in today's market. And in my experience, I also know products always seem to take a few years to reach here from USA. There has been a few occasions where I've wanted to buy products on American sites which are not available in UK. I want my brand to be the first to introduce to this market and to monopolise on this opportunity before other more established businesses do. But being the main distributor and wholesaler of this product. However I'm not too sure how best to start the process of making clients aware that I'm able to supply them. I would be terribly grateful for some advise. I'm also looking for a business advisor/mentor who offers pro bono sercices and can work with me to make this dream a reality. Pls help!!

 

[fisicx]

You are entering a market that is already crowded. Which means marketing isn't going to be cheap. If you can't afford professional help then you probably don't have the funds to properly market the products. So your dream may not happen.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Thanks for your input, the product I'd like to introduce is very new and currently not on the uk market at all. It's an modification on what's available and cuts down the hairdressing process by at least 40%. I was thinking I could go and pitch to very high end hair salons, show them the product and its benefits and gain first set of orders that way? I'm just waiting for my business cards and other things to come first

 

[wojtekf]

Exactly without much capital will be hard.
Do you have some experience in marketing?

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Hi, yes I have some marketing experience. I'm currently in process of working on a plan now. I'm just a little anxious that I market too s

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

I was thinking of drop shipping in the meantime, until I'm able to have enough stock to buy in bulk. I've already done market research and know who my customer are and where I can find them. In regards to the wholesale side of things, I would want to physically go to the hairdressers with the product and get orders and deposits

 

[wojtekf]

So you know the market well.
At the beginning dropshipping it is a good solution.
The problem may be someone from the capital who will want to take your idea and do it right there on a large scale.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Yes that's my main fear. And I don't think there's any systems I can put in place from preventing that from happening. This is why I'm anxious about launching. However I also believe by offering wholesale prices I could gain loyal smaller hair salons as clients

 

[wojtekf]

The best way would be to become an official distributor of this product
but probably you need big money for that.
Try to talk to the manufacturer, it may have a solution.

 

[Nochexman]

What rights do you own to the product or are you reselling someone else's product?

 

[JamieM]

I have a business in the beauty industry and the only way I think you can make this work is if you can find the capital to purchase sufficient stocks and convince the brand owner to give you exclusive distribution.

I think drop shipping is too messy due to import tax issues (assuming the stock is outside the EU) and it would also likely make an exclusive impossible.

With regards to marketing the product I believe it can be done for a reasonable cost if the product is innovative enough and solves an existing problem like you say. However, you'd probably need to be reinvesting all of the profits for a while to keep up the growth.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Hi
Thanks so much for your input, it's an unbranded product, so I'll be free to rebrand as I so wish. The product is only being made by a few suppliers at present, but will soon be mass produced by many manufacturers. This was the reason I wanted to be the first company to introduce to uk market

 

[fisicx]

Which is all good, but you will still need a lot of money to market the product. You say you want to target high-end salons but just getting through the door will cost you a lot. They get people just like you offering products everyday, which means you need to have something quite special to even attract their attention. Free samples and magazine advertising is almost certainly going to be needed. And then you need branding, packaging, distribution and maybe even testing for compliance.

 

[MOIC]

There are some very big players in the hairdressing business and in particular the Afro hairdressing side of things, if that's the area you are looking to market to.

I know of a few that distribute in the UK as well as the US.

Your research will need to be thorough as well as ensuring the product conforms to EU selling, especially if they have chemicals which are prohibited for body (including hair) products.

If it's a "winner" as you say and can be legally sold in the EU, the big players will be on to it already.

The fact that it's not branded, may point to issues of conformity.

The fact that you have mentioned drop shipping, indicates that your finances, as well as understanding what is required to launch a new product in the UK, is somewhat limited.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Thank you all for your input. I'm already in the process of doing the research, in regards to the adverising, I understand where you're coming from. Having also done competitor research, I know what I need to do in regards of gaining exposure. Especially yo the U.K. Market.

I'm not quite sure what conformity issues mean; and yes, you're right, I'm very new to this industry. I've simply found a gap in the market and want to gain the best info abs advise in order to fill it. My funds are low, however, but I really do believe in the product

 

[fisicx]

If it's a product like a shampoo or something else you use on people then it needs to be tested and have the correct labeling. There was somebody on UKBF a while back and I seem to recall their testing was going to cost tens of thousands. US and UK regulations are different - just because it's legal in the USA doesn't mean it will comply with the UK regulations.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

It's not shampoo and I've made enquires as to the chemicals that may be used

 

[JamieM]

Hi
Thanks so much for your input, it's an unbranded product, so I'll be free to rebrand as I so wish. The product is only being made by a few suppliers at present, but will soon be mass produced by many manufacturers. This was the reason I wanted to be the first company to introduce to uk market

Do you have the cash to purchase a minimum order? If you can get some stock it should be pretty easy to get started.

It's not tape in extensions is it?

 

[MOIC]

I'm not quite sure what conformity issues mean;

Conformity means adhering to the standards, requirements, testing and certification required to import and sell the product.

The fact that it's not branded, may be due to any of the above.

If it's a "winner", especially in the states, it would be branded and if a new product, the likelihood it would have a patent or registration applied.

Sylvia, do you have business experience?

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Hi, yes I do have the funds for a minimum order. I'm currently waiting for a second sample from another company to compare quality before I commit to ordering a little more. No, they're not taped in extensions. They already exist to varying degrees.

The reason, frim what I can gather as to why it's not branded, is because of the product it is;
In regards to it being patented, I know the US competitor attempted to get a patent but was t successful in doing so.

In regards to my business experience, I do have some. But it's not too I depth, I'm very black and white is my business thinking; buy something low and sell for a profit. I think more of the product than the business side of things and I think that's what getting me very anxious right now. With all the research I've done, I'm very confident this product will appeal to both hairdressers and hair clients.

 

[MOIC]

Ensure you have done due diligence on the product and it conforms to EU selling requirements.

Test the response on small salons first.

Before you start marketing the product to the "big boys" create a brand, create your packaging and get a website showcasing the product.

Ensure you have enough finance before you start.

Good luck with it.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Thanks so much for your advise.

I will ensure to do all necessary research

Many thanks again

 

[JamieM]

Hi, yes I do have the funds for a minimum order. I'm currently waiting for a second sample from another company to compare quality before I commit to ordering a little more. No, they're not taped in extensions. They already exist to varying degrees.

I would just go for it then. Spend a bit of time and come up with a good brand/product name, create a logo and basic packaging and order some stock in. Get in touch with some small local salons and go and demonstrate your product. If it sells successfully you can start scaling it from there.

Although it will be quite difficult to scale quickly if it 'needs' to be demonstrated. If it's easy to use perhaps you could create a video tutorial and then you can just be posting samples to salons. Alternatively offering training courses might be a better option and you can start doing trade shows when you have built up a bit of cash.

In my personal experience I love the beauty industry because business owners are very approachable and open to trying new products, as long as you are offering something a bit different.

Good luck!

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Thanks so much for this advise/encouragement! I've been quite busy with this project and have made some progress in back office. However i still haven't launched as yet. I've got a lot of feedback and advise and I have decided to conduct a preorder system; this will cut down my costs and I'll be able to use profits to make advance orders in the future. I was also wondering if anyone knew much about how patents worked? As from what I can gather the only company in USA who sell this product have applied for patent even though they didn't design it. I know this as I emailed to asks and it's still pending and from their response, it's obvious that it's not their original design. What I'd like to Know is would it affect me from selling the product in th uk? If it's just pending, can I sell? And even if it's granted, does it cover uk too?

 

[Nochexman]

I have a new hair product I'd like to introduce to uk and afican market... Pls help!!

Hi Sylvia, what did you decide to do in the end?

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Hi! I've hired a business coach and marketing expert. Both working on pro bono basis. I found 2 very good suppliers. I've confirmed the quality of samples are very good and I decided to work on a preorder basis. Branding and packaging is also provided using my brand name etc, this enables me to order products on a weekly basis with customers money and keep my cost low for now. Once the sales pick up, I will then use the profits to buy in advance too. I haven't started trading as yet as I'm jut finalising website as well as creating content for social Media platforms. So it's all go at the minute! Im thinking of emailing few very talented hairdresser To talks with them about using the product on me as a tutorial for promotional purposes. I'm still negotiating what they get in return; I'm happy to promote the salon providing the place order. They can also be know as one of only few salons that has product....I'm not too sure just yet.... But everything is ticking along nice. Does anyone know much about patents? The only other company in USA is attempting to get one, pending. But I know they didn't actually design product in the first place. Anyway, does it affect me being in uk? Is there a way I can protect myself?

 

[quikshop]

Sorry if I'm repeating advice from others. So in your shoes I would look to sell into established product wholesalers to the industry, rather than selling directly to outlets yourself. Your profit margin will be lower because you're introducing a layer between you and the end customer (salon), but the volumes should be so much more than you can achieve by walking around knocking on salon doors.

Trade shows are a useful marketing tool. The Autumn / Spring Fairs at the NEC in Birmingham run for a few days and are used by brands to showcase themselves to trade and the public.

I've trademarked several brands, but for patents start here https://www.gov.uk/topic/intellectual-property/patents.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Thanks for your advise. I'm looking into selling to wholesalers, my main fear is that as their more well established than I am, they would then take the idea and ask their own suppliers to make it for them. Cutting me out of the equation completely. I'm in the process of getting branding and packaging done for the product etc however I'm also considering whether to offer the product as unbranded so the wholesaler can Put their own name to it as long as they get from me. Is this feasible? I'm really just thinking from the top of my head. I know it would most definitely cut my costs too though. Also I've already created a price list for retail. However for wholesale what is the ideal percentage mark up?

 

[fisicx]

The wholesalers will just cut you out the loop and go directly to the manufacturer.

 

[JamieM]

The wholesalers will just cut you out the loop and go directly to the manufacturer.

Not impossible but actually not very common in this industry. Wholesalers are happy to carry existing (and even new) brands.

@Sylvia AsAmI for the above reason I would strongly advise creating your own brand only. Do not white label, it is not necessary and will only encourage them to source cheaper elsewhere later down the line. Build a strong brand which makes it more difficult for them to switch elsewhere. If you are first to the market with this you have a great opportunity to create a market leading brand in your niche which you can then build from.

There isn't really an ideal markup for wholesalers. It can vary a lot and depend on what marketing you are doing. Bear in mind that they will want to offer the same price to hair salons as you do and make a reasonable profit.

I wouldn't get too caught up with wholesalers from the start. It's probably better to prove your market first by supplying direct to salons. Also if the product requires training then wholesalers might not be a good option at all.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Thanks for your advise. Yes I've decided to create a strong brand. But I've just been told that only USA competitor has won patent and has told some suppliers to take off site. But I know for fact she didn't design as I even emailed her and told her I'd seen in another country. Also she still yet to provide proof of patent to supplier and I've tried to look for patent on site, so that also makes me think she is maybe requesting this as a precaution. If she has won patent I don't know what it would mean for me. I'm a little worried. But I know I can modify the product to make my own and not identical to theirs. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've tried to check online but patentcy laws are it's so confusing. I also know if the patent is for USA, I'm free to sell. But then I don't get why suppliers in another country aren't allowed to advertise! Pls help as I've put so much work into this for it to now go belly up

 

[Carmel Brown]

Hi Sylvia,

Have you considered using Instagram as a marketing tool. Do not underestimate the power of Instagram in particular for promoting and selling health/beauty items. You could connect with those on Instagram with a strong beauty profile and a large following to promote your new product. However, if you do not have exclusive rights to the project, it will only be a matter of time before another company imitates.

Hope this helps.

- O'Gray

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

Hi, yes I already have a Insta page and also fb and Twitter. But as I haven't finished all the tutorials, I haven't yet officially launched so haven't yet reached out to ppl in the industry. In regards to this supposed patent, I cannot find it anywhere. I've spoken to few ppl and also a supplier who has requested it but as of yet, the USA company haven't produced it

 

[HighProxies]

Thanks for your input, the product I'd like to introduce is very new and currently not on the uk market at all. It's an modification on what's available and cuts down the hairdressing process by at least 40%. I was thinking I could go and pitch to very high end hair salons, show them the product and its benefits and gain first set of orders that way? I'm just waiting for my business cards and other things to come first

I feel that this is a good way to start. See what the high end salons feel. If it is going to cut down on their process, it might very well be something that they are truly interested in. Good luck.

 

[Sylvia AsAmI]

The kd for your advise, I'm in process of getting all packaging arranged then I'll be hitting high to mid end hairdressers. As well as launching my website and all social media platforms.... I've sorted out the patent issue, in that the product is going to have very significant modifications made to it. With the added material that will be used serves a purpose the original design doesn't