Discuss the fun task of marketing a t-shirt shop. Where to advertise, local marketing tips, word of mouth, press releases, search engine marketing, keyword advertising, magazines, etc.
I just recently purchased an existing t-shirt manufacturing business which has been around since 1997. We sell to retail stores in over 31 states and overseas. About 90% of my business is wholesale and I do have a website which I will be optimizing and redesigning.
I sell the shirts for $13 on a wholesale basis and the retailers typically mark it up 100% and sell for $25 to $30. I am currently selling the t-shirts on the website for $28 to $30 but am thinking about lowering the price to $21 to $23.
I am afraid that this would affect my wholesale business as the shop owners will have to compete with me. I like the markups on the retail side and think I can grow this portion of my business.
In my opinion I'd say you would not be a large threat to your customers that sell these items from thier stores. I'd think this item would mainly be a spur of the moment purchase, someone who walks into a beach/lake front shop on a cool day looking to warm up or cover up. Also tourists shopping in a simlar fashion.
As far as prices on you websie, I'd prob go with 25$ and include shipping, you will still be at around 22$ for you, after shipping. I think that selling it for a similar price that retail does will get you sales and with shipping included it makes the customer feel that are not paying more then they would at the retail store.
GL with your venture, and very fun idea...
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Manufacturers usually use the same price online as what someone could buy in a store. This is to protect their retailers.
How important is your wholesale business? Undercutting them on your site will not make them happy. If you think you can make up losing them by increasing online sales, then go for it.
One thing you can do is to reduce your price online to say $23, then start telling your retailers that the MSRP of the item is $23. then they can't complain that you are undercutting them, and they can still charge more if they want to.
A good option if you want to lower the price, in a sense, is do free shipping. I wouldn't lower the price that you are currently at (28-30$) but offering free shipping is a bonus to your online customer.
How important is your wholesale business? Undercutting them on your site will not make them happy. If you think you can make up losing them by increasing online sales, then go for it.
This is talked about a lot on here. Personally I really don't think it matters if you undercut your retailers, because it's 2 DIFFERENT cutomers you're talking about. I've never been in a retail store looking at clothing and thought "Hey this is nice, but I bet I could get it cheaper online" and then gone home and not bought it. If I like it, I buy it. I'm in the store, I've touched it, I want it NOW. I just don't see THOSE customers bailing on the sale in the store and then going to your site and continuing the sale there. No way.
I only have my shirts in 6 stores, but NONE of them complained about what I was selling the shirts for or for that matter ever even mentioned it. I wholesale to them for $11. So the minimum they're asking in the store is $22. I undercut quite a bit at $17.95 on my site and it's never been an issue. Ever. I really don't think the retailers care what the #$@$# you're doing with your stupid little website. Ya' know? That's probably the attitude. Your online sales are not a threat.
...Now if you opened a physical store across the street from them and sold them for $17.95, THAT might be an issue.
This is talked about a lot on here. Personally I really don't think it matters if you undercut your retailers, because it's 2 DIFFERENT cutomers you're talking about. I've never been in a retail store looking at clothing and thought "Hey this is nice, but I bet I could get it cheaper online" and then gone home and not bought it. If I like it, I buy it. I'm in the store, I've touched it, I want it NOW. I just don't see THOSE customers bailing on the sale in the store and then going to your site and continuing the sale there. No way.
I only have my shirts in 6 stores, but NONE of them complained about what I was selling the shirts for or for that matter ever even mentioned it. I wholesale to them for $11. So the minimum they're asking in the store is $22. I undercut quite a bit at $17.95 on my site and it's never been an issue. Ever. I really don't think the retailers care what the #$@$# you're doing with your stupid little website. Ya' know? That's probably the attitude. Your online sales are not a threat.
...Now if you opened a physical store across the street from them and sold them for $17.95, THAT might be an issue.
Wholesale versus Retail pricing 
