How to get clothing into retail stores

[shortbus clothing]

Good day,

I have an online clothing line called Shortbus Clothing. We have been active a few months and have generated sales, but are ready to start placing our products into retail stores nationally and worldwide. From a large corporate chain to a small shop in Alberkerke, New Mexico. Other than the correct spelling of that previously mentioned city, how does one go about placing their product into retail stores?

Is there a list of buyers? A network site where buyers search for new pieces?
Do I contact sales reps?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for being awesome,
Justin

[KKoher]

Check out Magiconline.com, this is a trade show they have every year and thousands of retailers go to check out all the new lines coming out. I'm not sure how expensive it is to get a booth, but if you can afford it, and you have a good clothing line it will be worth it.

[yourhostingspot.com]

Start walking into stores with your stuff, and ask. Show them what you have, impress them, even give them a free shirt. If you don't get any right away, don't be discouraged. keep at it and you'll get stores as long as your stuff is good. Thats how I started. Then you'll start to have money for trade shows and advertising. Sales Reps are always a good option. Do you have a website or anything?

[Ahern & Brucker]

Good day,

I have an online clothing line called Shortbus Clothing. We have been active a few months and have generated sales, but are ready to start placing our products into retail stores nationally and worldwide. From a large corporate chain to a small shop in Alberkerke, New Mexico. Other than the correct spelling of that previously mentioned city, how does one go about placing their product into retail stores?

Is there a list of buyers? A network site where buyers search for new pieces?
Do I contact sales reps?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for being awesome,
Justin

well, i agree, trade shows are a good way to get going, their is an aweful lot you need to learn and know before you just plunk down a bunch of money for a booth at an internattional trade show...

you should definately check out and go to a few before you start up that slippery slope.

I question if you are ready to get your product into retail yet, if you know what is involved in dealing with retailers etc? and even "why" you would want to deal with retails just starting off?

the common conception is that if you get your product into a store, you will make a lot of money...

actually, it's a misconception.

I'd say rethink your plan, make a thousand sales on line and go to local craft fairs and shows, maybe getting a booth in the hopes that whay t you sell will pay for your expenses and what you learn will be invaluable and on the chance you might get discovered... (but don't count on that right away) "you can include "hope" in your business plan but it shouldn't be a big part of your overall strategy.

[HeatOnFeet]

you should start of really small like in boutique stores around the area.
see if they will take your product

[mscouture]

I have been in the textiles industry for years-and worked in many areas from design to sales to importing, and again back to retail. I would not encourage you to exhibit at Fame/Moda/Magic/dallas or even Atlanta until you have tested your product over and over on consumers. They start around 2-4K. You need to make sure the price/fit/design and all the details are right-and be able to identify your target consumer. Once you know your consumer, you can start placing it and reaching them to get further feedback. Many people have great lines and concepts, but buyers are finiky, and understanding it is complex. I would start selling locally, and grow your volume/refine your product. If you are interested in selling at the wholesale level, shoot me an email via my MainStreet Couture website. I have a wholesale business, and am always looking for new talent. I sell to boutiques nationwide. Currently we are transitioning to online and getting the apparel lines added. Jewelry is our bread and butter (I import it), so we are expanding the online version-and adding our strongest apparel lines. Check it out, and send me info if interested. I can also give you my advice- from a boutique owner’s perspective, and also from the marketability/production side!

[teenbizcoach]

Justin,

As you know fashion is an extremely competitive industry. I work with a few teen entrepreneurs in the fashion/shoe design arena. The way that they got started is visiting local independently owned shops that cater to their target market. The more specialized that market is the better. They offered their clothing on consignment (left a few pieces with a simple one page contract that said the store would be responsible for the pieces they left and an inventory sheet). And then every week or ten days they would go back and see what pieces sold if any and collect their pieces back or money.

The important things that helped them to get regular sales aside from high quality material was unique packaging and nice signage for the store. As the designer you need to take responsibility for that. See where your pieces are in the store, they are folded nicely and there is a sample one in a visible place. Also, look at the places that you sell your clothing. Do you want to be in a place packed with shirts and clothing where people rummage through things looking for a good deal or something more upscale? The young people I worked with wanted to do upscale stuff. It took them a lot longer to get into stores but their hand painted shirts can sell anywhere from $60-150 and their hand painted jeans can sell for $250 and they have built followings and gotten featured in local and national publications. If you are not in front of the right audience people will not take you as seriously and you will not sell as much. So then you might change your design or style without realizing that simply your audience is wrong. Once you build up sales you can try to get featured in local newspapers and then build up that exposure to try to get in larger more well-known places. It is definitely a process though. So stick with it and keep networking.

[JBI78]

Go to Johnnycupcakes.com read his story, watch the videos on the media tab, and you will be well equipped with the new way of doing business as a fashion Entrepreneur. He is my mentor.

[goodboyroy]

Would you look at my stuff and give some feedback? Trying to get my stuff into stores too.

I have been in the textiles industry for years-and worked in many areas from design to sales to importing, and again back to retail. I would not encourage you to exhibit at Fame/Moda/Magic/dallas or even Atlanta until you have tested your product over and over on consumers. They start around 2-4K. You need to make sure the price/fit/design and all the details are right-and be able to identify your target consumer. Once you know your consumer, you can start placing it and reaching them to get further feedback. Many people have great lines and concepts, but buyers are finiky, and understanding it is complex. I would start selling locally, and grow your volume/refine your product. If you are interested in selling at the wholesale level, shoot me an email via my MainStreet Couture website. I have a wholesale business, and am always looking for new talent. I sell to boutiques nationwide. Currently we are transitioning to online and getting the apparel lines added. Jewelry is our bread and butter (I import it), so we are expanding the online version-and adding our strongest apparel lines. Check it out, and send me info if interested. I can also give you my advice- from a boutique owner’s perspective, and also from the marketability/production side!

[goodboyroy]

Would you please look at my stuff and give some feedback? You can also google Good Boy Roy and read all the reviews that have been done on my designs. People love them when they see them, but online sales are awful. I draw them all and design them. Really hoping to make Good Boy Roy a household name some day, and how I can support myself after high school.

[moneybaggs clothing]

if you want to wholesale any of my tshirts, let mi now, have look on my website
moneybaggsclothing.com

[rexiah]

Hey what is the url to your website? I would like to purchase stuff

[mikkel99]

i love ur shoes also how would i get a sale reps

[mikkel99]

i have a line too how could i use ur website to sell my shirts

[mikkel99]

Start walking into stores with your stuff, and ask. Show them what you have, impress them, even give them a free shirt. If you don't get any right away, don't be discouraged. keep at it and you'll get stores as long as your stuff is good. Thats how I started. Then you'll start to have money for trade shows and advertising. Sales Reps are always a good option. Do you have a website or anything?

did that work for you ?