Getting into retail.

[volcom5799]

I wanted to see if anyone here has opened up a retail store before and could give me some great advice on the process. Mainly dealing with distributors and such. For instance, lets say i want to sell a brand like Adidas, who do i get into contact with to get these brands in my store? What was your experience in dealing with major brands? All advice is appreciated.

[RS-Sales]

Hello Volcom, I am too very much interested in this side of things and am asking for some advice.

Good Luck Mate.

[KKoher]

Your going to have some trouble with major brands..Maybe not with getting wholesale from the distributor...but because majors brands such as Adidas can be found everywhere! What makes your retail store different from the 1,000's of other retail stores that sells that same brand? Why are customers going to purchase from your store instead of a larger, chain store?

[volcom5799]

not worried about my store not being any different. i have that all planned out. and i am not necessarily going to sell adidas, was just using that as an example. Want insight on dealing with major brands

[KKoher]

That part is usually pretty easy. Go onto the merchants website, and see if they have something that says "wholesale" or "distribution", click that and then there will be something tell you how to become a distributor for them. Not all sites have that, but if you go to "Contact Us" and send them a message about yourself, your store, and that you are interested in wholesale access...even if it goes to someone else not in the Wholesale Sales Dept., your message will normally get forwarded to the right person, and then they will contact you with the requested info. That's how I've received wholesale on most of our clothing and accessories. Or get a phone number off their website, and give them a call. Ask for someone in Wholesale Sales, or tell them you are looking to set up a wholesale account...I'm not sure if this is the "right" way to go about it, but it works.

[volcom5799]

does anyone have any experience dealing with these kind of deals though? what to expect and if they have requirements for the stores they sell in? Also what is typical % markup?

[KKoher]

Depends on the company..they all have different requirements. You will always need a resales cert. and tax id...some require that you have a brick and mortar..some do not. There is always a minimum order, but how much depends on the company. Usually its between $300-$500...I have 1 company that has a $1,000 min. order. And the mark up depends on what you are selling...tee's, hoodies, and hats are usually 100-200% mark up..so like you buy the shirt wholesale @ $8-$10 and sell it for $22. Belts usually have a 300-600% mark up..but only if you have a good distributor..if you go through a third party, that sells you a belt they get from someone else you are going to pay more...Also...some major brands won't sell to you if there is another store in your area that carries the same product. An example is Affliction....they will only sell to one store in the local area...so if there is another store around you that carries that brand, you are out of luck.

[shortbus clothing]

well Volcom, I dont know which type of store you will obtain, but if your interested in any of our goods at Shortbus Clothing, feel free to contact me.

justin

email info is on the site,i cant post it here.

super thanks and good luck