[jmoney48]

I saw a post about this which was made last year, but it sort of died off...

In the t-shirt market, is there a such thing as an online distributor? (A website that sells everyone's different designs/brands)
I know in my area (SoCal) there are a lot of retailers like (up against the wall, zumies, etc) which sell a lot of different brands in a similar genre. To my knowledge, these would be examples of distributors.... is there anything like that online? I'm talking about strictly distributing (not making/manufacturing/printing).

My idea is to be a distributor (store) where I would sell others peoples clothes for them... sorta be like a online retailer for start-up t-shirt companies. So, i would have relationships w/ u guys in who produce the shirts and we would create this big store w/ a lot of different designs and brands.

This is helpful in 4 ways (probably more that i cant think of right now).
#1 - You as a company get more exposure (to people who normally wouldn't see you) increasing your brand awareness.
#2 - More exposure means more sales!
#3 - If you don't know how to setup a store or don't already have your own.
#4 - We would create a network of brands and make it really easy for the customer to mix and match... just like going to the mall (everything is there and you don't have to go to multiple places)

What do you guys think? has it already been done?
What if this service was next to free (or like $5 to become a member)? Who wouldn't want to be a part of it?
If this is a good idea, maybe we can all work on it together (those who are interested).
Maybe we can make a store w/ all the t-shirt forums brands or something?

 

[kimura-mma]

There is no exact set of rules in establishing a distribution channel for a product line. But the way I've generally understood it is that a "distributor" acts as a middle man between a manufacturer and retailer. So basically, the distributor buys the product from the manufacturer and sells them (at wholesale prices and in bulk volume) to the retailer. The retailer then sells the product to the consumer.

In the t-shirt market, is there a such thing as an online distributor? (A website that sells everyone's different designs/brands)
I know in my area (SoCal) there are a lot of retailers like (up against the wall, zumies, etc) which sell a lot of different brands in a similar genre. To my knowledge, these would be examples of distributors.... is there anything like that online? I'm talking about strictly distributing (not making/manufacturing/printing).

The way I understand it, if you are looking to sell multiple product lines to consumers then you are describing a retailer, not a distributor. So to answer your question, there are TONS of retail websites out there. Everything from Macy's to Karmaloop to Sports Authority.

My idea is to be a distributor (store) where I would sell others peoples clothes for them... sorta be like a online retailer for start-up t-shirt companies. So, i would have relationships w/ u guys in who produce the shirts and we would create this big store w/ a lot of different designs and brands.

I think it's a great idea, but what exactly will separate this store from the others?

Are you going to be buying the shirts wholesale and stocking the inventory? Or are you only hosting the website and taking the orders but the manufacturer fills the order from their inventory and drop ships from their location.

What do you guys think? has it already been done?
What if this service was next to free (or like $5 to become a member)? Who wouldn't want to be a part of it?

Yes, it's already been done. Many many times.

If you are buying product from manufacturers and all they have to do is pay a $5 buy in, I think it's the greatest idea ever (from a manufacturers point of view).

If you are setting up a drop ship site, then it really depends on how many visitors and sales can be generated from the site. But if I can buy in for only $5, I guess it's worth it to see if any sales come of it.

The true success is going to be dependent on the marketing, advertising and ultimately how many sales the site can generate. In my opinion, there should be more exclusivity than just a $5 buy in. Too much product, and a wide variety of product, can sometimes hurt the cause. The power of retail is establishing consumer trust and loyalty. So who's going to be responsible for that? Why is someone going to buy from this site rather than just go to the mall?

 

[jmoney48]

Thanks for the feedback, kimura-mma.

I think it's a great idea, but what exactly will separate this store from the others?

Well, other stores carry proven, known brands. My store/idea would be for brands which are starting out. Which are usually in a niche market, so it would have a different variety of clothes vs other retailers.

Yes, I would host the website, sell the items and then forward the order to the manufacturer so it can be filled.

I agree, too many products is not good from a small amount of manufacturers. But I think that a large selection from many manufacturers is good (?). Of course, they will have to be in the same genre and a certain number of items per manufacturer i suppose.

you bring up a good point about customer trust and loyalty... I cant really do anything about that except provide a good experience to those who do decide to purchase.

 

[DimSum]

Platforms for indie brands are already out there. Please see this thread regarding Big cartel vs Storenvy.

http://www.t-shirtforums.com/ecommerce-site-design/t102396.html

 

[abscustomapparel]

The way I understand it, if you are looking to sell multiple product lines to consumers then you are describing a retailer, not a distributor. So to answer your question, there are TONS of retail websites out there. Everything from Macy's to Karmaloop to Sports Authority.


I think it's a great idea, but what exactly will separate this store from the others?...Yes, it's already been done. Many many times...The true success is going to be dependent on the marketing, advertising and ultimately how many sales the site can generate. In my opinion, there should be more exclusivity than just a $5 buy in. Too much product, and a wide variety of product, can sometimes hurt the cause. The power of retail is establishing consumer trust and loyalty. So who's going to be responsible for that? Why is someone going to buy from this site rather than just go to the mall?

I agree with all of this and in fact think that affiliate marketing sites do something very much like this by getting paid in a percentage of the sale. Yes- it does depend on marketing and also on your ability to use Search Engine Optimization to get your site seen. There are lots of niche sites out there - make yours special.

That said - good luck!

 

[femma]

I like the idea, you could market it as an "up-and-coming brand" site. If you get a good buzz around it, it would only aid in getting out the names of all the companies you carry.

Everyone needs exposure. If the site is a success, you're helping build a following for the brands you carry, and thats something that is priceless. Most start-out companies will get involved in a venture like that, cutting profit, if it promises a potential to gain brand identity without having to front the money for excessive marketing.

 

[kimura-mma]

I like the idea, you could market it as an "up-and-coming brand" site. If you get a good buzz around it, it would only aid in getting out the names of all the companies you carry.

Everyone needs exposure. If the site is a success, you're helping build a following for the brands you carry, and thats something that is priceless.

I agree with this in theory. I just think it's easier said than done. Wouldn't a site like this be in direct competition to many existing sites like Karmaloop, Buckle, MetroPark, Kitson, etc?

Most start-out companies will get involved in a venture like that, cutting profit, if it promises a potential to gain brand identity without having to front the money for excessive marketing.

This is assuming the website owner does the excessive marketing for the brands. Otherwise you'll have everyone standing around pointing fingers... the retailer expecting the brands to spend on marketing and the brands expecting the retailer to spend on marketing.

 

[Flitterfly]

I sort of like your idea too.
Here's some quick thoughts off the top of my head...

As they say, you build it and they will come...if you market it properly and build a clean and easy to navigate "Mall" with lots of quality retailers.....

Why sell anything yourself and deal with the headaches? Just maintain the site. Don't sell anything yourself, just provide "space" at your Mall for established retailers with their own stores. (I guess you would be selling that "space"

I also agree you would have to limit how many designs each different store could submit to your site, make sure the stores are actively really in business...all to keep it from getting too much crap and make it nice.
Just invite small businesses with their own online stores. You hopefully can recruit enough stores to turn your profit.

You might even have to say no sometimes to develop a standard shoppers could trust...and to limit your work load on businesses that come and go.

Say you give me a page and told me I could give you jpegs of my 3 best selling designs from my site.
You put them up in a category that fits, say "Outdoors" or "Fishing" for my niche, and a click would then go to directly to my store.
(You would only allow changes to the top 3 designs every billing cycle to reduce maintenance, or give the retailer a code somehow to change them themselves?).

I think you would need to invite only the best shops to join you that you can find right off the bat and give them the first six months free just to get it off the ground.
People will need to see a working product, your "Mall", before they put money up, any money, I'm guessing.

And then, after the " trial" period, lets say you charge me something very reasonable, say $10 every 6 months...but you end up doing that for a lot of other retailers too...a whole twenty bucks a year to direct traffic my way and I'm involved with other quality retailers in a comprehensive, visually appealing, tee shirt Mall?

I'm in! At least I would give it a chance for a year....

Good luck!

 

[REAMS]

Sounds good in theory but like most things its going to come down to quality of the site and the quality of marketing put behind it.

 

[femma]

I agree with Kimura-mma, it wouldn't be just a cake walk, you'd have to really market the hell out of it to make it worth a brand's while.

It wouldn't happen right away, you would have to work on exposure and site identity, but if you can establish that, then it could be a cool idea!

Keep in mind that just like you wouldn't want your name slapped on just anything, brands and companies just as careful about where they choose to sell.

 

[jmoney48]

Thank you all for your feedback, comments and suggestions.
sounds like this would be a good idea for clothing lines just starting out and maybe lines which want/need more exposure (not the big dogs).
although I do work in marketing for a clothing company (a sub division of Dickes)... my education and experience will not allow me to do this by myself. is anyone willing to work with me on this?
pm me and lets exchange ideas/thoughts. or, post them here and keep this thread going. could become something special.
again, thanks for all your feedback.

 

[rosefox]

There is no exact set of rules in establishing a distribution channel for a product line. But the way I've generally understood it is that a "distributor" acts as a middle man between a manufacturer and retailer. So basically, the distributor buys the product from the manufacturer and sells them (at wholesale prices and in bulk volume) to the retailer. The retailer then sells the product to the consumer.


The way I understand it, if you are looking to sell multiple product lines to consumers then you are describing a retailer, not a distributor. So to answer your question, there are TONS of retail websites out there. Everything from Macy's to Karmaloop to Sports Authority.

I think it's a great idea, but what exactly will separate this store from the others?

Are you going to be buying the shirts wholesale and stocking the inventory? Or are you only hosting the website and taking the orders but the manufacturer fills the order from their inventory and drop ships from their location.


Yes, it's already been done. Many many times.

If you are buying product from manufacturers and all they have to do is pay a $5 buy in, I think it's the greatest idea ever (from a manufacturers point of view).

If you are setting up a drop ship site, then it really depends on how many visitors and sales can be generated from the site. But if I can buy in for only $5, I guess it's worth it to see if any sales come of it.

The true success is going to be dependent on the marketing, advertising and ultimately how many sales the site can generate. In my opinion, there should be more exclusivity than just a $5 buy in. Too much product, and a wide variety of product, can sometimes hurt the cause. The power of retail is establishing consumer trust and loyalty. So who's going to be responsible for that? Why is someone going to buy from this site rather than just go to the mall?

Yes, you are absolutely right!!I totally agree with your points!!