I have an opportunity to open an offline retail store. How do I get the brands I want to carry?
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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 an opportunity to open an offline retail store. How do I get the brands I want to carry?
I have an opportunity to open an offline retail store. How do I get the brands I want to carry?
A friend of mine, her sister owns and operates a boutique for women clothing here in my town. Today she miraculously came by to tell me of her pregnancy and I told her of my desire to start a T-shirt/clothing brand. To make a very long story short, she mentioned that her sister will be closing her shop next month. She says she lost her juice and desire to keep moving forward. The location of her store is sort of no in the greatest walk by and walk in spot. It is on the outskirts of the city and advertisement and promotion is needed greatly to prevail. She wants no parts. I want in.
I have been pushed into fast forward mode because of this opportunity and risk that I feel I need to take to obtain the store front. My only thing is aside from the resellers license/ the name registration there is one other problem..... stock/merchandise.
I want to get to a point where I am only going to sell my own clothes but it cant possibly happen in this short space of time. I like brands such as Stussy, 10Deep, Crooks & Castles, The Hundreds, Diamond Supply, Nike ect. What is the best way to go about getting these brands on consignment in the shop? How do I get a Nike account. How about New Era?
This would be my only obstacle as keeping the store stocked with material that runs parallel with what I'm trying to do until I can get my line sufficiently in place. It's crazy cause I have zero capital, and zero extra funds to go out and purchase stock wholesale. It is not an option for right now, the money I do have seems enough to only take care of the store front and legal dealings to get it opened and operated. Please give me any ideas.
Those brands on consignment? Not going to happen. Consignment is for new, desperate brands ready to be exploited - not established brands who can pick and choose which retailers they'll even sell to.
If you have no capital, you're going to need to re-think your business strategy.
If it's consignment you want to go for, you'll need to figure out a way to connect with new brands who are hungry enough for sales, and a way to put that in front of interested customers. Not easy, but possible.
__________________ "Ah, Henny Penny," said Chicken Little, "the sky is falling, and I must go and tell the king."
thanks for the comment, I am attending AGENDA trade show this month. I am hoping to get a couple accounts not necessarily the big ones. but I agree the up and coming brands is probably the better place to start.
Not trying to burst your bubble, but you need capital. A lot of it.
Either look into getting a business loan or find an investor who is willing to take that risk.
My question is, why would you take a retail spot that ISN'T in a good location? Do you think your friends sister is basically getting out of that business because it's not doing well?
Without working capital, I would think you would be better off starting an online storefront and promoting that way. Retail requires a huge backup source.
Re: I have an opportunity to open an offline retail store. How do I get the brands I want to carry?
No offense, but this doesn't sound like a financialy sound idea at all. It's great that you want to do this, but give it some more time and you will be more prepared. Best of luck to you
This is a discussion about I have an opportunity to open an offline retail store. How do I get the brands I want to carry? that was posted in the Offline Retail and Tradeshows section of the forums.
I have an opportunity to open an offline retail store. How do I get the brands I want to carry? 
