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Frozen · August 22nd, 2009

I was wondering how I would go about doing this because I know if i turned up at Topman or H&M they would refuse me staright. Any ideas?.

kimura-mma · August 22nd, 2009

For major retail chains, you need to contact their regional buyers. Going to tradeshows are a good way to find them as well. Have you looked into independent sales reps? They tend to have good connections.

charles95405 · August 22nd, 2009

If you are serious about getting into retail stores,you should be prepared to produce 100s or 1000s of shirts...if you are working from a back bedroom or garage..doubt you will be too successful unless you have a dynamite product. Even then you probably won't get to the big guys... have you thought about going to some of the local..non chain stores and see if you can leave some items on consignment..the merchant does not have to spend any $...and you get paid IF and WHEN a sale occurs.

Frozen · August 22nd, 2009

Thanks for the feedback and i am serious about selling my t-shirt in a retail shop. Its gonnna take me a few more months at least coz im always coming up with new ideas to improve my design.

xguy9 · August 22nd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles95405


	have you thought about going to some of the local..non chain stores and see if you can leave some items on consignment..the merchant does not have to spend any $...and you get paid IF and WHEN a sale occurs.

I agree, forget about the big retailers right now, if you want your stuff in stores try boutiques or indy stores that sell the type of tees you produce. First, they won't need hundreds or thousands of tees, but just tens; second, it may be easier to get your product into these stores because you have a better opportunity to talk to the person(s) who make the decisions in adding new product. Third, I think its cool to get your stuff in boutiques first, because it has a cool factor about it. Finally if your tees become a hit the big retailers will come to you.

Frozen · August 22nd, 2009

Thats a good point there now once my designs are done all i would have to do is look for boutiques or indy stores. Do you know of any good one i know of one or two not many though.

xguy9 · August 23rd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen


	Thats a good point there now once my designs are done all i would have to do is look for boutiques or indy stores. Do you know of any good one i know of one or two not many though.

What type of tees are you going to sell (vintage style, funny, skateboard style, MMA, etc.) and what state(s) you planning on having your tees at. Its best to start local first then branch out later.

Freelance Artist · August 23rd, 2009

Hi
what if he has something great?

What if he partners with a printer...
Is there another type of fulfillment service that could do the printing, and he would do the designs/branding and he would get a percentage of sales? (I'm not talking Pods cafepress, zazzle , but I saw once a thread here about a guy who has a christian tee brand, and he found a fulfillment service...now I can't find the thread)...

Then, he would get less money if going that route...but maybe because of the volume he would get more money in the end????

Does that makes sense?

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles95405


	If you are serious about getting into retail stores,you should be prepared to produce 100s or 1000s of shirts...if you are working from a back bedroom or garage..doubt you will be too successful unless you have a dynamite product. Even then you probably won't get to the big guys... have you thought about going to some of the local..non chain stores and see if you can leave some items on consignment..the merchant does not have to spend any $...and you get paid IF and WHEN a sale occurs.

jamesfield1 · August 26th, 2009

I think in some ways it's to do with what you want from your brand. To make lot's of money and get into a large retail chain you've got to think more commercial, and be on trend. That will be pretty tough to do and will really impact the kind of product you end up with. Starting with idependents and boutiques should allow you more freedom you to do your thing. Like Deon said, if people buy into it you'll go on from there. I'm with Charles on the sale or return idea, getting them into stores and see if they sell is the best test.

ino · August 26th, 2009

It is always better to have 10 small buyers than 1 big one. You,ll live a happier life.period!

xguy9 · August 26th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ino


	It is always better to have 10 small buyers than 1 big one. You,ll live a happier life.period!

Amen, Dealing with boutiques have less headaches than the big guys, Also the big guys have been known to be late payers.

mikelmorgan · August 27th, 2009

What's better making $10 a shirt on 100 shirts or 25 cents on 4,000 shirts. The big retailers play hard ball and are very demanding. If your product does not sell they will require you to buy them back, then what. Your stuck with how ever many shirts that are outdated. You need insurance, license and a proven record before they will talk to you. It takes a lot of finesse to talk to these guys. I print for a wholesaler who sell to Buckle, Macy's, and nameless other national chain stores. I hear him talk about all the crap he has to deal with on a daily basis.

To answer you question he goes to trade shows that cost him $5,000 to rent a booth (one small booth). Don't get me wrong he does very well, but he has 100's of designs and trade marks and licenses to produce the garments he sells. He started small 15 years ago and now does close to 1,000,000 a year. His quality is top notch and everything is guaranteed.

If you have good designs you may want to talk to the people who sell to these stores not the stores them selves.

Frozen · August 28th, 2009

Thanks for the heads up, and your are right anyway i done some research yesterday and found some boutiques in London but could someone give me details of some more so i at least have more that what i have now?.

jamesfield1 · August 29th, 2009

Get yourself out on the streets visiting the areas that are known for having independent stores and actually go in them and take a look. Find ones that you would want your product in and have a chat to the guys that work there. If people are interested you'll have to think about where you want your stuff to go, as some may ask for exclusivity and won't be interested if the guy two streets away is going to be stocking your stuff too.

avernfish · December 17th, 2009

If they refuse you, that is because your t-shirts are not good enough , the market of your t-shirts will not good or the prices are too high.

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