Market your clothing line.
How to go from selling to small retailers to supplying to large clothing companies?
Internet is also a great way to get feedback from your customers. It's much easier to get honest feedback about your clothes, your packaging and other aspects of your selling process by email than it is face to face.
When all the groundwork is done thank to the help of the final users you are ready to go for the next level: Dealing with wholesalers.
Wholesalers are experienced and will recognize that you are not a newbie because they can feel that you have done your homework as described above.
You'll probably start with small, independently owned, local stores. It's a good idea to start with them before hitting larger chain stores because it's easier to get in touch with the direct decision-maker, and they're more inclined to take on new, unique or hard-to-find fashion brands to differentiate themselves from larger stores.
To sell to these retailers, be prepared and bring a product sell sheet, photos, clothes samples (if possible) and a quick introductory letter.
The goal is to explain what's in it for them, highlighting your clothing line's profit margin, features and sales record.
Expand to New Markets
Once you've established sales strength with independent retailers and are ready to go for new markets, it's time to sell to the big players.
Of course, exactly who those big players are depends on the style of your clothes.
When you are dealing with wholesalers, the sale is only a small part of the challenge. The real work starts after the sale is done, that's when you need to work really hard at respecting the terms of your contract.
Contracts with national retailers are usually heavy and involve advertising, obligations with regards to returns, handling fulfillment and more.
How to approach a larger retailer?
First, make sure that you approach the right clothing wholesaler or national retailer. Develop a bullet-proof presentation about your clothing line. This sales pitch should come along with samples and packaging samples that you should be ready (mentally and financially) to improve.
Do your homework. Be in the know with regards to what your client is already offering, what their best selling garment is and what they are looking for so that you can adapt your t-shirt line, jeans line to their needs to increase the chance of fitting in.
Finally you will need to be (very) patient, while a small retailer will make a decision on the spot or within days, a national retailer will commonly need a couple of months to take a decision about your clothing line.
So work on your big clients really hard while you make a name for your self with small and medium size clients along the way.
This is part III of How to market your clothing line?
Read part I here:
How to market your clothing line? PART I
Read part II here:
How to market your clothing line? PART II
Related articles:
How to start a clothing line?
How to get started in the wholesale fashion business?
How to sell t-shirts online?
SEO tips and keywords for fashion blogs or online clothing stores.
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How to market your clothing line? Wholesale Clothing Business. How to go from selling to small retailers to supplying to large clothing companies? How to start your own clothing line? Tips to get started. Wholesale clothing business.
