The best advice for brands looking to get into stores (whether independent retailers or large chains) is to come prepared with a compelling value proposition, proven sales traction, and a retail-ready package.
Here is a breakdown of what that involves:
🔑 Key tips for getting into stores:
Know your unique selling proposition (USP):
Clearly articulate what makes your product different or better – whether it’s ingredients, sustainability, social impact, or taste. Retailers need to know why their customers will care.
📥 Build retail-ready packaging:
Your product must stand out on the shelf, comply with barcoding and labelling requirements, and be easy to stock. Shelf presence is everything.
🚀 Demonstrate demand:
Provide evidence of traction – this could be online sales, repeat customers, glowing reviews, or strong social media engagement. Retailers want proof that your product will move.
🏪 Start with independent or local stores:
Build a track record in smaller outlets first. This gives you leverage when approaching larger retailers who want proof you can handle distribution and demand.
💻 Pitch professionally:
Have a short, polished sell sheet or retail pitch deck. Include product benefits, price points, margins, target customer, and marketing support you’ll provide.
📦 Offer support & sampling:
Show you’re invested in the partnership. Retailers love brands that offer in-store demos, promotional campaigns, or social media boosts.
This could also lead to working with micro-influencers to get your product our there with the activation of PR product send out and await the feedback – whether that is done written, or done via social media (it’ll get your name our there!) plus, its a great way for market research.
👍 Be easy to work with:
Ensure smooth logistics, flexible minimum order quantities (MOQs), fast communication, and consistent product availability. Reliability is crucial.
⭐ Find a collaborative retail display supplier/partner:
Search for a team that can handle your in-store display requirements. This team will play a crucial role in your external/public audience finding your product and taking your product on a journey. With an experienced team, they’ll be able to understand your customer shopping experience, present ideas, and offer a one-stop-shop service that covers design, development, project management, delivery, and installation. I bet you’re thinking, who can do this?