For some product lines, having a showroom is really the only option if you want to build a successful wholesale business. Some stores are reluctant to buy without having seen the goods and checking for quality and styling with their own eyes – totally understandable right? Showrooms, or independent sales reps, can be a wonderful revenue source if, and only if, they have the right contacts for you……a.k.a. the sacred rolodex. It's so important to pick a showroom or rep that has the contacts you want as well as a large pond to fish in. Most reputable showrooms have between 4000-10,000 stores in their data base. The main reason I picked certain showrooms over the years was for their connections…..and of course, I had to like the sales staff, but that was second to the list they were going to send my collection to. Bottom line was always – are you going to make me any money? Be sure to inquire about the types of stores they sell to the most, and where they see yours being sold. You want to be sure your line will be seen and sold to their best stores.
If you are thinking of joining a showroom or hiring an independent – here are some questions you can ask AFTER you have grilled them about their rolodex and feel it is a good marriage.
Some questions you can ask a sales rep:
1. What other lines do you represent?
2. What tradeshows do you attend?
3. Do you require that I attend them?
4. What commission do you require?
5. Will you need catalogs or can you print them if I email a pdf file?
6. What kind of stores do you service? Dept? Boutique? Mass market?
7. Do you have a standard contract?
8. Do you return samples? If not do you purchase them?
9. How many sample sets do you require?
10. Do you go on the road as well?
11. Do you have road reps that work for you in other states?
12. Do your road reps need samples too?
13. Do you have showrooms in other cities?
This is a great post Sarah! Thank you!
But how do I go about even finding a showroom or rep? Do you have a previous article on that?
Thanks!!
Great article with essential questions designers need! Thank you for posting this. Can recommend a good resource for finding reputable showrooms?
My biggest challenge has been finding reps or showrooms interested in rep-ing my lines. Any suggestions in that department.
Want to express your opinion?
Leave a reply!
I’ve worked with Sarah for about 3 months now and my line has been picked up in 2 new stores with … Read more
I wanted to share the importance of persistence, as you always say! I pitched another item to this w… Read more
I’m already getting orders from the email with the updated pricing that I just sent to my current st… Read more
Sarah Shaw is like Google, the entire How To section of Barnes and Nobles, Consumer Report and Yoda … Read more
Sarah is exactly what I have been looking for to take my business to the next level. She brings a to… Read more
Everything’s coming together. I am so excited. Thank you"20px" /> the website looks great. I am so… Read more
I LOVE working with Sarah! The best business decision I’ve made recently is joining Sarah’s Retail R… Read more
Sarah has always been so knowledgeable and has helped me so much in growing my business and getting … Read more
We enrolled in Sarah Shaw’s program because we needed someone to kick us into shape! She did just … Read more
“I came to Sarah with just the seed of an idea, a pile of sketches, and a bundle of nerves. I left w… Read more
1 day ago
2 days ago
3 days ago
7 days ago
1 week ago
© 2009-2023 Entreprenette LLC. Entreprenette® is a registered Trademark of Sarah Shaw
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |