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 have my first event this Saturday and am honestly really nervous.
I have never sold my shirts to strangers before (they are in a retail store but I am never there to get feedback on it) and I am curious to see what the response is.
The event I am doing is in Toronto's busiest intersection, with traffic estimates of 60,000+ on a nice day (likely exaggerated!).
Does anyone have tips for me? I don't know exactly how I am going to display everything but will likely go with shirts on hangers all along the sides, folded shirts on a table, and then a bargain box thrown in for good measure. I got a lot of business cards and a nice sign made so I should be pretty visible.
well, you're going to be putting on a show in the Center of Canadas highest pedestrian and drive by traffic intersection, Yonge and Dundas.
Yonge and Dundas is the center stage on the worlds longest street (Yonge Street).
You will be in the mix with old Canadian Icon retail stores, like Sam the Record Man, high tech development retailers, the eaton center, Q107 radio station etc. this location has a vast entreprenuer history. The keystone for many.
You really need to stand out there, do something different. Get noticed is key, more important than selling in this case, because of the exposure you will get at this location may payout big time...with some luck.
How many shirts are you taking... and how much did they charge you?
If its ok to ask.
I ask cuz I want to sign up for an event too.. and I'm planing on all the things I need to take..
will you have a tent?
LORENA
I am likely going to take all the shirts I have (maybe a couple hundred total. I don't want to be there without enough inventory as far as sizing is concerned. It basically fits in two massive storage containers.
The event is being put on by my former university and was only $150 for the day (I think it is normally around $1000-1500 for a weekend). It is definitely affordable and if I aim to sell only four shirts an hour, I am in good shape.
The event is tented with a table and a couple of chairs.
well, you're going to be putting on a show in the Center of Canadas highest pedestrian and drive by traffic intersection, Yonge and Dundas.
Yonge and Dundas is the center stage on the worlds longest street (Yonge Street).
You will be in the mix with old Canadian Icon retail stores, like Sam the Record Man, high tech development retailers, the eaton center, Q107 radio station etc. this location has a vast entreprenuer history. The keystone for many.
You really need to stand out there, do something different. Get noticed is key, more important than selling in this case, because of the exposure you will get at this location may payout big time...with some luck.
Affirmation. ...and good things will come.
:
Thanks Lucy! I think the key for me is to get out there and just talk to people. I know my product isn't for the masses but I think it is key that I draw in anyone that is a potential customer. I think this event will have quite a bit of student traffic (which works in my favor).
My price point is quite high compared with what I feel others are going to be doing. However, I think my product is leaps and bounds ahead of theirs -- the quality and social responsibility aspects. I am donating $2 from every shirt sold to a charity that benefits victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam (during the war). It will be a matter of getting people to buy into the whole concept.
Does anyone have tips for me? I don't know exactly how I am going to display everything but will likely go with shirts on hangers all along the sides, folded shirts on a table, and then a bargain box thrown in for good measure. I got a lot of business cards and a nice sign made so I should be pretty visible.
Anything else?
Neil
I picked up a compact & collapsible rack on wheels for $99 the other day. I worked my first show last week in Mississauga and the rack was key. PM me if you want more info on it.
Do you have a back up plan in the case run out or inventory?
So I just got back from my first ever show. I didn't take into consideration te weather, which is a HUGE factor in an outdoor event. Unfortunately, the weather today was cold, cloudy, and at some points raining.
Because my designs are original, I don't really feel I need to compete on price. I set the t-shirts at $28 assuming (correctly) that if someone liked the design, they'd go ahead and buy it regardless of cost.
I brought ALL of my inventory there (about 300 shirts) as I did not want to be missing any sizes or colors if someone were to ask. This came into play as one small women's t that I would have never have thought to bring was actually sold.
With this considered, I think I did ok, generating $418 in sales but more importantly getting an idea of which designs people found interesting and who my market was. I also gave a lot of business cards away and had many people genuinely interested in my designs (who didn't buy). The event was only $100 after a $50 deposit was returned to me. This was an unheard of rate for this location.
If the weather were nicer, I probably could have generated $800-1000 easily with increased traffic. Chalk up a great first time life lesson!
I learned that I really need to isolate my market a lot better. I would do a lot better at something like a craft show where the attendees are more interested in art and are a bit educated/have political knowledge.
But yeah, I did it!
I can't make the clothing show because I am off to California...my shirts will be there though via Article 8. I'd like to do it next year!
With this considered, I think I did ok, generating $418 in sales but more importantly getting an idea of which designs people found interesting and who my market was. I also gave a lot of business cards away and had many people genuinely interested in my designs (who didn't buy). The event was only $100 after a $50 deposit was returned to me. This was an unheard of rate for this location.
That is some GREAT market research. Nice real time information...sounds like it was definitely worth it from that standpoint.
My First Shot at the General Public! 
...and good things will come.
