Help getting product into stores

**nathaniel88** · 01-20-2008 09:48 PM

I have recently started a new flavoring product and have gotten some pretty good feedback but,I have seem to have gotten stuck with the whole process. I was hoping I could get some input or help on what steps I should go about taking next.

First off I will describe the product. The product is a type of flavoring syrup that you stir into milk to flavor it. I know hershey's has done it but the good thing about my product is that calories and sugar is drastically reduced and flavors come in a wider variety

I have gotten the samples I needed from the flavoring company and I have gotten the caps and plastic bottles I liked. So, what I have are 6 different flavored containers with caps and have no idea where I go from here to try and get it into stores.

My idea is get some nice labels made with the nutritional info on it and then meet with small chain food stores but do I have to first come up with a name and apply for a trademark?

any help would be great thanks

**garysomers** · 01-21-2008 12:57 AM

If I were in your shoes Nathaniel.

I would make an executive decision right now.

Look at Hersheys success, its all about branding. Branding is the difference between to buy or not to buy not to mention the reason that one brand like proctor and gamble can encompass and launch so many others.

In this business a lot of times it becomes your mainstay.

Now you don't necessarily have to have a trademarked brand with all the legal papers and ordeals in order. Although It is an excellent step at this point if you are serious about your business and have the funding.

But you do need some viable form of catchy packaging and name recognition.

What is your target market? perhaps that would allow me to help you more?
because no small grocer or any product outlet will take you seriously until you have a product they can sell.

What you have at this point is an unfinished product.

-Gary

**nathaniel88** · 01-21-2008 04:13 PM

Well my target market would be kids or I should say their parents. The product would be a healthier version to flavor your milk with a wider variety of flavors. I really believe this product can sell itself once it's in stores getting it there is the tough part.

If I do not apply for trademark can someone not just copy my product or take the name?

I am interested in ways that this can produce income for me. So I do not necessarily have to be the one selling it (My business/company) if there is a way to sell the product to kellogs or some other comnpany and let them do the work I would be interested in those options aswell.

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-21-2008 04:53 PM

Rather than looking to get it into the stores yourself, have you considered selling to an established company?

**nathaniel88** · 01-21-2008 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by jmenq2

Rather than looking to get it into the stores yourself, have you considered selling to an established company?

I have but how would I do that?

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-21-2008 09:03 PM

Step one would be a phone call or personal visit.

**faint** · 01-21-2008 09:40 PM

yep. jmenq is right. phone a couple of established vendors (so u can also create competition amongst them and also see who offers you the best price) and be like I think I have a great product, I've gotten some good feedback.. bla bla the whole ordeal.. and ask them if thats something they would be interested in.

The reason I support what jmenq said is because currently its very hard to bring a product to stores and have it enjoy success when the market is populated with big players. Vitamin Water was an exception but it did sell to a bigger company (Coca Cola I think). So give it a try... for all you know you might be a millionare

good luck

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-21-2008 10:10 PM

To add to that, you're looking to get into the most competitive market out there, the grocery market. Lowest profit margins of any industry. It is virtually impossible for a small guy to get in. I would look to Nestle's competitors for a possible purchaser.

**nathaniel88** · 01-22-2008 10:54 AM

Thanks guys now I have a couple questions should I do anything like apply for trademark before I call/meet with people?

Also how far should I go with the process before I call a company? I mean I would not call them with just an idea would I? I should have the product ready and if they wished to change it, it would be their decision.

**a764** · 01-22-2008 11:12 AM

Dear nathaniel88...
I am sure you are quite capable of forming your own conclusions and making decisions accordingly, to what is the best approach in launching your product in this very competitive market.
Though it may not be easy to begin with, but sheer confidence can move mountains

The reason i say this is because i want you to take an example from a very new company 'http://www.methodhome.com/', they entered a very tough market and are competing against the likes of proctor & gamble today. Read their biography on google, it will surely inspire you.
The main thing that you will have to focus on is branding and marketing, and for this, i hope you have the vision and the bucks to make it go further than your expectations.
Regards!

**Nigami Enterprise** · 01-22-2008 06:01 PM

Also i would try and get more then one product. Distributers dont want to deal with a person on teh phone and the hassle just to get one product on there shelves, that there only going to make a few dollars from.

**nathaniel88** · 01-22-2008 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Nigami Enterprise

Also i would try and get more then one product. Distributers dont want to deal with a person on teh phone and the hassle just to get one product on there shelves, that there only going to make a few dollars from.

What do you mean more than one product?

**Nigami Enterprise** · 01-22-2008 06:49 PM

Well the grocery store has a buyer for that department and in that one department there are probley 200 different products. Now the buyer doesnt want to be dealing with 200 different people so they find distributors that distribute a range of products. Why would the grocery store go to so much effort just to make $10 a week from your product you either need a range of products or a very good mark up.

Maybe add flavoured ice cream toppings ect

Retailers make more money from selling an ipod sock then from actually selling an ipod.

It is possible to get just one product on the shelves but its so much easier to get a few ont eh shelves instead.

When trying to get a product in a store you have to be really unselfish and think what do they want and not what you want. And if they do give you valuable shelf space you have to make the most of it.

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-22-2008 07:18 PM

Are you sure about all this? Have anything to support it?

Originally Posted by Nigami Enterprise

Well the grocery store has a buyer for that department and in that one department there are probley 200 different products. Now the buyer doesnt want to be dealing with 200 different people so they find distributors that distribute a range of products. Why would the grocery store go to so much effort just to make $10 a week from your product you either need a range of products or a very good mark up.

Maybe add flavoured ice cream toppings ect

Retailers make more money from selling an ipod sock then from actually selling an ipod.

It is possible to get just one product on the shelves but its so much easier to get a few ont eh shelves instead.

When trying to get a product in a store you have to be really unselfish and think what do they want and not what you want. And if they do give you valuable shelf space you have to make the most of it.

**Nigami Enterprise** · 01-22-2008 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by jmenq2

Are you sure about all this? Have anything to support it?

Yeh im a 100% sure. A grocery store doesnt want every product to be supplied by different brands yeh some products have there niche but milk flavouring is a pretty hard niche.
If each product was by a different brand they couldnt put in the same effort into the marketing of tehre brand and as a percentage the shelf space wouldnt make as much profit as customers wouldnt have brand reconigtion.

Like i said it is possible to get 1 product onto shelves but its so much easier to get more into the store. Im talking from experience with large retailers rather then just you small shops. When dealing with small shops its alot easier as you can hit them on a persoanl note and set up consignment contracts and theres then less chance of your stock getting damaged.

Making sense?