Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
I will be attending my first show at the end of March '07. My head is already swirling with all of the details, but one of my main worries is how much inventory to have on hand.
The show is four days with only one day being a full selling day and the other three will have 4-hour selling periods. I will be selling to a very targeted market and competition will be minimal, as the event coordinator does not like to have duplicate vendors.
I was thinking that I could have some sort of order form on hand in the event I run out of something, but then I would have to suck up the postage. Any suggestions as to how much inventory I should have on hand?
Thanks a million.
__________________ Bella Pregnant chicks need cool shirts too
USPS Priority Mail is only $4.05 (for less than 1 lb.) for shipping anywhere in the country within 2-3 days, and they even give you the tyvek envelopes and or boxes. If they want the shirt have them pay for it or split it with them and you're only out $2. Or if it's a local event maybe you can deliver them. Imagine hand delivering them at someones work and getting more orders from co-workers.
I will be attending my first show at the end of March '07. My head is already swirling with all of the details, but one of my main worries is how much inventory to have on hand.
The show is four days with only one day being a full selling day and the other three will have 4-hour selling periods. I will be selling to a very targeted market and competition will be minimal, as the event coordinator does not like to have duplicate vendors.
I was thinking that I could have some sort of order form on hand in the event I run out of something, but then I would have to suck up the postage. Any suggestions as to how much inventory I should have on hand?
Thanks a million.
What type event and what are you selling? What kind of booth are you selling out of?
What type event and what are you selling? What kind of booth are you selling out of?
The event is an indoor consignment sale for anything related to kids including clothes, toys, baby equipment, maternity clothes, etc. In addition to the consignment sale there will be a kids/moms boutique and kids festival which will be set up in a different part of the venue. I'll be selling my embellished maternity, baby, and toddler tees. My booth is going to be a simple 6' table, but I intend to have a couple of freestanding gridwall panels set up in order to have merchandise displayed for easy browsing.
__________________ Bella Pregnant chicks need cool shirts too
How do you embellish your kids gear? Do you have them screen printed, desktop printer transfer, stock plastisol transfers etc? Basically do you print on demand or have them manufactured? Can you upsize your booth for better exposure? Do you have access to an ez-up and an ability to light your booth. Yeah I know these questions are somewhat leaving the first topic but all come into play within the context of events.
All of my stuff is screen printed at a nearby local shop so I don't have the ability to do on demand. Unfortunately I cannot upsize, but everyone has pretty much the same size space. The event is indoors so I'm not going to use an EZ-up or extra lighting.
__________________ Bella Pregnant chicks need cool shirts too
Are you asking how many onsies do I screenprint for the event or do you already have the gear printed? If its printed take it all. You are in a sea of childrens gear indoors in a space that looks just like everyone elses booth. You need to be asking yourself how can I gather attention to my space. What can I do to stand out in a crowd of booths that are all the same in size, product and market? For indoor events we always use an ez-up with lighting...it makes a difference. Creative lighting is even better....the use of a colored spot or even an UV light helps draw attention. You may have the best childrens designs in the entire event but if you arent noticed its all for nothing. Presentation is going to be key.
Thanks for the advice. I think I'll have to bypass the tent and lighting this time around due to all of the other startup costs I'm having to shell out for. If my stuff does well then I'll reinvest profits into some of that stuff. I am going to try to make my space standout by decorating with pics of family and friends wearing my shirts and I'll also have a free drawing. Hmm...I need to think of something else to lure them in. Maybe a fire juggling clown would get their attention.
__________________ Bella Pregnant chicks need cool shirts too
The show is four days with only one day being a full selling day and the other three will have 4-hour selling periods. I will be selling to a very targeted market and competition will be minimal, as the event coordinator does not like to have duplicate vendors.
I was thinking that I could have some sort of order form on hand in the event I run out of something, but then I would have to suck up the postage. Any suggestions as to how much inventory I should have on hand?
How fast is the turn around time with your printer? You can print a reasonable starting stock and then if things are selling well, get some more printer for days 3 and 4 if your printer can print a new batch fast enough.
Either way, how many to print is a tricky and difficult thing to guess. It depends on how much people are buying, if they like your products, your presentation, how many total epople come through, etc. Try to find a happy middle ground where you won't be completely screwed with unsold stock if they don't sell well, but have enough printed that you'll be quite happy with the profits in the off chance they do sell out?
As far as order forms go - have them available, but don't rely on them. T-shirts are generally an impulse buy; if they can't get it at the event, a lot of times they won't order it for later. I'd personally charge full shipping for orders, unless they were close enough that a pickup or drop off would be reasonable.
I am new to this forum but have some experience in shows. At this time I sell collectible weapons but I think that shows are shows no matter what you are selling.
If money is short (which is normal) I have seen balloons attached to the frame and drape at conventions. I have been doing tattoo conventions and sci-fi shows for about 12 years now and believe me people have to see you. The balloons will be higher than other vendors and this can help people see you from the other side of the room.
Just an idea.
Also as mentioned earlier lighting is important. The lighting in some rooms is poor to say the least. You can normally find inexpensive clip on lights at Wal Mart, Target or whatever that you could clip onto the gridwall and point down to your products.
After all these years I am still learning and changing my display.
Yes, I was thinking some mylar balloons (more $, but will last all 4 days of the show), I'm having a banner made and I purchased a really bright table cover to match the banner, and I'm going to have a kids activity since a kid's fest will be going on at the same time. Since I won't have electricity I was thinking about getting some strings of battery powered white christmas lights to put on the grid panel.
Geez, my other half is going to have a heart attack when he sees the business credit card bill for next month. I keep reminding him of start-up costs, but I better bring in some $ to justify the biz.
__________________ Bella Pregnant chicks need cool shirts too
Geez, my other half is going to have a heart attack when he sees the business credit card bill for next month. I keep reminding him of start-up costs, but I better bring in some $ to justify the biz.
Well, don't be disheartened if the $ doesn't flow by the end of the show. It will probably flow in the second or third trimester!
If you got a printer handy I always find it easier to just print the business cards myself. Infact I take my printer (with laptop) with me and if I run out i print some more. Card stock can be found at any walmart, best buy, office depot and such. If you use a printer with that new pigment ink (durabrite epson brand) and compatible paper the cards will be glossy and waterproof. Waterproof as in being in water for 2 day and no ink is messing up. True it might not be the cheapest upfront but I alwas have cards on hand and I can modify it at will or at least have several designs depending on my crowd. Heck a mictures or designs and radomly pass them out.
Show inventory - how much is enough? 
