Small children's clothes shop.

[golfer001]

Hello again, Im still pretty much in the business plan stages however I am experiencing great difficulty in sourcing suppliers that I want to stock. As I am currently working full time at present I am still determined to get this off the ground.

I have a few names that I can do business with but not my first choice, therefore this is slowing down my planning.

My Aim is to target the market for parents whom want to dress their children in not so much the "trends" that primark etc follow but a good quality clothing such as hilfiger, crewe, joule, ralph lauren, ben sherman, converse etc. (hope it gives you an insight)

Research has proven over the summer that within my area alone many parents have found it more difficult to find quality clothes for boys (2-12), for events such as weddings and holidays. So I do believe we have a demand. Girls there seems to be more choice from the high street chains that follow fashion trends.

Can anybody give any advice on how to approach these suppliers?
Do they have a middleman such as wholesale supplier for a particular region?

Ive sent emails, made phone calls but not receiving any feedback which is frustrating!

What am I doing wrong for the "bigger fish" not to reply etc?
How can I be taken seriously

Ive stated I have the funds in place ready so its not the request for credit thats putting these companies off.

Please any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[swankypants69]

one option that might be worth considering is finding an independent retailer/online retailer who already deals with the brands that you are looking to retail, and then seeing if they will sub-supply you for a small margin

obviously, a retailer very local to yourself might not want to deal with you as you might be seen as competition, and i am not saying there aren't any other issues with this sourcing method (reduced margin for instance), but it might be the way forward

 

[pen2670]

TBH in my experience (just a little bit further along than you!) you are unlikely to get anywhere until you are actually open, expecially with the brands.

With our baby shop most of the major wholesalers wanted proof that we were a real shop before dealing with us.

As far as brands are concerned they were more interested in making sure that we fitted with their image and weren't going to devalue their brand. The pram companies all wanted to be sure that they wouldn't be the only brand on board - felt they would be de-valued if alongside non brands. Also wanted to visit and check us out before comitting so we ended up with a two phase opening - phase 2 having been delayed lots...

Our non-pram brands of which we have 3 were a little more relaxed, but still wanted to check out our website, proof we existed as a bricks and mortar store, details of any online trading, reassurances (2 had contracts to sign) that we wouldn't sell below RRP online unless specifically agreed, etc, etc.

hth

 

[golfer001]

interesting idea, I have actually targeted but not yet contacted a couple of similar shops in a different town that I was going to see if they would be interested in buying a larger quantity of stock to distribute, would mean cutting costs for themselves and I would gain. Your idea of a shop and sub-supply is interesting.


I have to say Im beginning to agree with you about having to open a shop first but that is not an option for me, I want to have everything planned and in place. I have designs on how I will market it and what the shop consist of. Maybe this is a problem with the whole economy how people are advised to "kick start" business but at same time cant source suppliers until a shop is proven! Its a bit awkward as I don't want to launch business with small brands, I want to hit my target market from day one.

Anyone with any ideas on how to contact suppliers please advise.

 

[JamiePMortimer]

Pen2670 is right, most bigger names want a track record before they will supply their collections to you as its just as important to protect their brand image as it is to make sales.

The issue with contacting an existing supplier is they are taking on a risk of ordering stock on your behalf & I'm not sure how the brands you quoted run things but a lot of them work 2 seasons ahead. So you'd either be late buying for Summer 2013 or early for ordering Winter 2013. I can't imagine a supplier wanting to risk upsetting the relationship with brands by supplying you.

To be honest, I'm not sure how you'd get in contact with them. They must have a wholesale department. Rather than asking an existing stockist to order for you why not ask for a contact number. Alternatively try asking them on twitter.

 

[golfer001]

on the phone to suppliers I get the impression that they are concerned about the purchase, however I have the funds to purchase stock. its obviously not going to be a success if I open a shop and find myself not being able to stock the brands that I have chosen, these brands have been chosen as I feel this is where the gap in the market is..

How do designer shops suddenly appear with well know stock, their must be a way to do this. My view is to plan correctly order the stock for a spring opening and get the process moving from there.

Its getting the right contact and no one appears willing to be able to point in the right direction, so as you can imagine frustrating.

will get there eventually.

 

[pen2670]

Have you been to any trade fairs?

Out of all the brands we have had most success getting a dialogue with 3 out of 4 I got a contact name and details for at Harrogate Nursery Fair. These 3 will be supplying us.

The fourth was the first brand we approached as they're based near where I grew up so thought I could pop in for a meeting when visiting relatives. They are the only ones who straight out said, yes, no problem, we need to see your shop first, but in principle we're happy. 7 months on I've filled in all their paperwork and sent the requested photographs, but no store visit yet.

The other 3 have visited, informally confirmed, and one stuck their neck out and offered a contract. The other 2 are happy "so long as you have other brands on board" so really can be a case of everyone wiating for the first person to say "yes" - Harrogate was in March, signed our lease in June and first store visit was 2 months ago and we have just agreed contracts so allow lots of time even when you get to the right person...

One thing I would be careful of though is speaking to local stores who stock the brands you want UNLESS you can sell it as a clear win win situation ie they only sell to adults, you will only sell to children and you can refer parents to them.

Reason for saying that is that brands can be protective of their stockists and all of the brands we've approached would not have supplied us if they'd currently had someone in our area. Also, with some of them part of their decision making process is to consult nearby stockists. As one confided off the record they would ask stores in the nearest 2 cities, who would both say they should turn us down as we would affect their trade, but that having driven for an hour from one to see me she felt the distance was far enough.

We have had one negative experience with a (non-pram) brand who we had been in discussions with for a few months who suddenly turned round and said they couldnt sell to anyone new in our area - think this was because their nearest (an hour away in good traffic) stockist wasn't happy. Ironically a couple of days before one of our brands had asked if we minded if they supplied them as well and I said, no worries. Still don't mind, we're an hour away, hardly direct competition. Although had to admit to feelings of slight smugness when the supplier jointly hosted an event in each of our stores and ours was way better attended. But getting to my point after being let down by one of their main brands I kept it very quiet who else we were approaching as if they'd said they were unhappy from the off we might not even have got a store visit....

Not sure if any of this helps, but I guess in your shoes I'd be doing 2 things:-
1. Thinking of ways to start the business in small ways to show your comitment and give a bit of a feel for how your shop will be. Do you have a name? Are you going to be a Ltd or sole trader, if Ltd can you incorporate now so you exist? Do you have the skills to knock together a basic website and Facebook page?
There will probably reasons not to do any of these, but it could show that you are more serious than the dozens of other speculative enquiries they get each day.
2. Try and find the contact details for the person who would handle your account. Is there a trade fair you can go to (even if a different market like adult clothes face to face can help)? Or even a customer focused event. Maybe ask other stockists, but as above I'd be careful on this one. Or enthusiastically ask questions the gatekeeper (receptionist) can't answer and try persuade them to put you through to someone else.

Good luck!

 

[grazzenger]

Some of July those brands will be at bubble in january. There will also be smaller brands who are more relaxed to deal with.

 

[Bestkidclothing]

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