HELP! Getting product onto specific shelves.

[khedges]

Hello there.

Im currently in the sugar confectionary business. I have an idea for a product, a brand name, the shape and design of the box, the products to go into the box and strong motivation.

The product will sit alongside other boxes of chocolates in England including cadburys milk tray, ferrero rocher and lindt swiss chocolates. It is aimed at 24-35 yr olds and is aimed at the higher end of the market.

As with a box of chocolates, the individual pieces are already existing chocolate bars-e.g. the caramel chocolate is a small version of A caramerl bar. The Orange cream chocolate is a smll version of Terrys chocolate orange etc.

My individual pieces are from established manufacturers but sold under my developing strong brand, like a selection box of the finest pieces.the idea is to bring them altogether in one place rather than having to buy a bag of choco raisins and a bag of toffee they will be in the sma ebox.

i am unsure about the established manufacturers side of things. e.g. if you made a selection box of chewing gum under say, CHEWERS PARADISE, where would the wrigleys, extra,etx brand names come in. would they want free advertising on the box? or a cut?

any help would be great along with tips on getting onto store shelves.

Kieran:

[evolvingentrepreneur]

Find an entrepreneur that has already done what you want to do by using a more proactive approach than posting to a forum like searching the web for a similar company, small or large, that doesn't compete in the same market as you.

Learn who the owner/founder is and call them or email them.

Tell them your story and make sure you let them know you want to be considerate of their time.

Ask for no more than 2 or 3 minutes to ask them your most pressing questions about your venture.

You may be surprised that they'll talk to you for an hour.

[Dan Nichols]

Adam has some great points as it is sure nice to hear from someone that's been there/done that. I am also going to suggest if you come up short in finding someone that has done this I wouldn't be surprised. I think there is some liberating energy around this. What I mean is it sure takes the traditional paradigm of selling something and says screw it - I'll take competitors stuff and put it all together. It's almost like you've violated some unspoken agreement (and there are millions of them) in the business world.

If this were me, of course consult your attorney, I'd find some high end packaging already available (off the shelf) package some of them and then start actually selling them. Getting cooperation could be much easier if you already had some success and stats behind your idea.

I don't know of any law that says you can't buy peoples stuff wholesale, repackage it and resell it. I mean... what harm are you really bringing those companies? Do it near Valentine's Day which is just around the corner. I'm not passing any judgement on the idea one way or another - who knows? It would be cheap to try. Worst case you got some great candy to give away to friends or enjoy at your leisure if it doesn't sell.

Remember there are no "re-packaging police" at least not that I know of. And what crime would they try you for? The crime of trying? G4I (that's my code you make of it what you want)

Godspeed -