Sales agents/distributors and Selling to retailers (Beauty Brand)

[Helen84]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum (first post) and looking for some advice please.

I have a nail polish brand, which is my first retail venture, after owning companies for 8 years. The nail polish is free from five harmful ingredients linked to cancer, dermatitis and skin irritations, as well as being vegan friendly and cruelty free. It was born in the fashion industry and is used by many top session manicurists.

The polish has been selling online (albeit slowly), on my website since August 2014. With the help of a PR & Marketing agency, it has been reviewed on numerous beauty blogs & featured in magazines/publications such as; Daily Mail (Online), Glamour Magazine (Online), Perfect Wedding Magazine (Online), GetTheGloss, Scratch Magazine, Natural Products Magazine and NOW Magazine.

Over the last few months I have been approaching UK beauty buyers (mainly via LinkedIn) at stores such as Boots, Superdrug, Harrods, Selfridges as well as green/natural and vegan stores, and larger eCommerce stores. The feedback has been positive so far and several buyers have requested samples and/or further information. However, it seems to be a very slow process, it's not currently stocked anywhere and I am unsure if it is the right path to be taking, especially as the products have a shelf life and the stock is sitting in a warehouse rather than on shelves.

I had no problem organising the design, manufacturing, importing, EU safety testing of the products/brand but unfortunately I don't have enough retail experience to know whether I should now concentrate on finding sales agents, a distributor, if I should exhibit at a trade show, visit independent retailers myself with samples (salons/gift stores/boutiques), try to increase the online sales and/or keep working on getting the product into a chain store. Or maybe there are other options to consider.

I have tried to look into distributors and advertised for sales agents but I haven't been able to find any potential distributors and only one self-employed sales agent has responded to my adverts (that would want 15%-20% commission on order totals and doesn't specialise in beauty products).

I currently run all aspects of the business, without a business partner to discuss this with so any help, feedback or advice you can give me will be really appreciated.

Many thanks,
Helen

 

[Forthehealthofitjourney]

Hi Helen,
I love what you are doing with your nail polish and it is exactly what I am looking for, however on a personal retail level as opposed to a business level.
I currently have my own vegan health and wellness business that provides pure, safe, and beneficial products; free from mineral oil, synthetic ingredients, phthalates etc; and does not test on animals.
There is a HUGE market demand for vegan products free from chemicals and as people become more and more educated in what is in their products the demand for pure and safe products grow.
Its seems like you have come a huge way in starting your business and producing the products, you can't give up now! I wish you the very best in your venture and am happy to help you in any way I can.. I would also love to know how I can get my hands on some of your polish!
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions
Best of luck to you

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Hi Helen
We sell a lot of Beauty uniforms and it may be something we could consider, do you have a information pack you could send up, I have looked at your site www.hjmanicure.com and seen the good range of colours

 

[Ra5ax]

Sorry to jump into this thread but i think this is a great query that a lot of us could really benefit from, Taking away the product that Helen is selling if I understand correctly the ultimate question would be what would you all suggest as the most effective route to market when selling a single product line?

We are also looking into this at the moment and it does seem a bit of a hidden secret in how to get into those really big decision makers.

Helen, I hope this hasnt jumped on your thread too much

Andy

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Trade magazines and trade shows are a relatively low cost way of displaying your products to many outlets

 

[I Trade Beauty]

Hi Helen, finding buyers for your nail brand can be a very difficult way when you are only doing a push marketing. It might help if you also let buyers find your brand by exposing your brand online where other buyers are. Try to look at the B2B Beauty Trade Platform I Trade Beauty

 

[Sbgedwards]

Hi
This thread is over a year old
Are you still looking for a UK distributor? I'd be more than happy to chat

 

[Simon Charlton]

Hello, I'm new to this site, but, would also like information of introducing a new beauty product into the market place......