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.
My business partner and I are at a point where we feel it is necessary to hire an independent sales rep or sales agent to get our clothing line into retailers and boutique store shelves.
We both have families, and full time jobs so we can't put in the time needed to initiate leads, close sales and maintain buyer relationships. We want to contract that out to someone reliable and more effective than us. At this point it may be the only way we can get into stores. We simply cannot invest the time to do it ourselves.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Leads? Links to places that might help me in my research? Horror stories of past experiences? Positive stories of past experiences?
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
All I can say is to get an EXPERIENCED SALES REP. One that works with other lines currently and has relationships with stores. Getting someone brand new is not going to cut it, I tried it and it didn't work for me.
You need to contact some showrooms in NYC and they have sales reps and at the major trade shows sales reps are there as well looking for business
There is a whole industry of reps that call on retailers, gift shops and clothiers. Find ones who has well established lines and contact them. Ask them for good reps outside of their trade territory (most work within a specific geographical location). Make sure you have pricing structure in your line that alllows them to be profitable representing your line and also the retailer.
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
Thanks. I tried that site but it is awful. No results for apparel > agent, distribution, or otherwise in the US.
What I really need is someone who has worked with a company and is willing to offer information on them. I trust word of mouth from someone with real world experience over a blind search on internet resources any day.
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
I am in the process of trying to launch my clothing line and I was considering using a sales rep. Because I work a full time job right now, I don't have the time to do the foot work needed.
So in my search I've come across a site: RepHunter.com which offers packages that includes access to the many sales reps in their database, and I was considering using their service. But I was wondering if anyone has ever heard/worked with them, and if so what was your experience?
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
The info you get from RepHunter can be found for free by doing some of your own searching on the internet. The biggest challenge will be to get a reputable, established rep to take on a new line. Reps want to make sure that the lines they rep can deliver consistent quality product at mid to high volume at prices that can offer high margins to the retailer. Since it is challenging enough to get a rep willing to take your line, I would try to find their info for free before paying a service like RepHunter.
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
The best advice I have would be to follow these steps:
Make a list of 50 of your competitors
Find out their "stockists" (usually listed right on their websites).
Make a list of 100 retailers from their stockists and retailers.
Contact them directly to find a contact for selling your line.
Send them your linesheets.
Takes time but its worth the effort plus you'll learn more than you ever imagined by researching your competitors. This had shed more light on how to approach my own line (pricing, colors, website design, etc...). You want to be innovative but no need to reinvent the rim.
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
(Kimura-mma)
Thank you both so much for the information, I haven't signed with Rep Hunter as of yet, but it's good to hear feedback so that I don't make make any unnecessary expenses for myself, so thank you for sharing!
(Driven1)
Yeah, sounds like it will take time, but I hear what ur'e saying...the learning experience would be quite valuable! I will definitely start building a list. I've also found some companies that offer packages that include consultation, creation of each sample in your line, store leads, and quite a few other things. I haven't purchased a package, but I'm researching further. Thanks a million for your advice, it's very much appreciated!
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements
We've had the most success at finding reps at trade shows. We put a sign in our booth and post on rep wanted boards at registration areas. It's REALLY hard to find good ones since they are not very interested in pioneering a new line. It's great when they ask you if you're looking. We use a sliding commission scale based on quarterly sales goals.
Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements 
Re: Hiring a Sales Rep/Agent for Product Placements 
