[crisis]

Guys, I have a product which I believe can be sold through high street music shops such as HMV and Tower Records as well as specialist shops. The problem I have is I am unsure of how to approach the buyers and how to secure the right deal. Maybe some of you can point me in the right direction, I appreciate that I will only get one shot at my pitch and dont want to blow it due to my lack of retail experience.

Information I am after includes:

How to phisicaly approach the shops/buyers

What terms will they want to take my product on (SOR or will they buy them upfront)

Will they be happy viewing high quallity samples or will they expect me to have a finished run of my product ready to ship before commiting.

Any other info/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[Verberatum]

Every firm is going to be different. An easy way to start may be to just start a conversation with the local manager of one of these potential stores (Tower Records). You dont need to even pitch them your product, just ask them the process of how new products are added to the store inventory and who do you contact and things like that. If they are nice they could become a champion for your product and push it quickly through the firm.

Best of Luck!

If you have more in depth questions just shoot me an email or PM.

-Dan

[Outta Hand]

What is the product you are selling... if you own the rights you should really let the distribution companies sell for you. Just my two cents

[cr_lester]

My advice would be to find out how you would sell your product on consignment first in their store. You walk in, set up a rack, and try to sell the product. If it sells, you pay them a portion for letting you use the space.
Retailers love this for new products because they aren't losing anything. They don't pay for any product, and you do all the work. If the product sells, then they'll probably buy. If it doesn't neither of you have lost anything.
Plus, once your product is in one store (even if it is just on consignment) it will be much easier to get it in another store.
Start with what Verberatum said, and go strike up a conversation with the store manager. Not the teenage girl at the counter who calls herself an assistant manager, you want the store manager. Better yet, find the contact info for the regional manager. This could get you in all the stores he manages.
Try music trade shows. I will never stop saying how much business a trade show can bring you, because trade shows will never stop bringing you business.
Well, thats my advice anyway.

Because I Care;
Cheryl Lester
www.NovusLife.com

[Aletheides]

Crisis, you really should think about getting a job in sales to improve your skills.