I get pretty nostalgic this time of the year! Not because of Christmas, necessarily, but because of all the years we ran a retail website and retail booth during the holidays. As much fun as we had, I am happy…
Purchases are Fueled by Feelings
Category: Product Saleability
Ten Reasons Why Gift Stores Reject Handmade Items, Part Two
Last week we explored the first five reasons why a store would reject handmade products: You can read Part One here Last Five Reasons Why Gift Stores Reject Handcrafted Products The sales presentation is ineffective. Remember that you need to…
Ten Reasons Why Stores Reject Handmade Products, Part One
Reasons Why Store Buyers Might Reject Handmade Products So you are looking to jump into the wholesale arena with your handmade products. Congratulations on your move to a new sales venue with your business! But before you rush into the…
Change Your Product Line?
If you plan to change your product line, this is the time to do it. With the holiday buying season just starting, you don’t want to clutter up your line sheet with a listing of stuff that is obsolete or…
Preparing to Enter the Wholesale Market
Making the decision to move your business from selling your products direct to consumers to selling wholesale to retail buyers requires some thought and planning. Not all products fit the wholesale model and not all companies or producers are able…
Adding Value to Your Products
In the gift industry, eye-catching packaging typically sells the first item, so adding extra value to your product packaging greatly increased the likelihood that it will sell well. What do I mean by adding value? Personalized packaging and labeling can…
What Problem Does Your Product Solve?
You may have the most wonderful line of products everyone will love (at least that is what you think), but what problem does your product solve? When I was first starting my sales rep business, I was selling ads in…
Knowing When a Buyer is Interested
Even if you are the best salesman possible, if a buyer is not interested in purchasing your creations for their store, you will not be able to convince them to buy. So how do you know when a buyer is…
How Many Choices are Too Many?
Sometimes too many choices can overwhelm your customers. Don’t understand? Let me give you an example: A few years back, I represented a company that made ‘berry’ products (very big in Idaho). When she first started out, she exhibited in…
Gift Shop Buyers Want Unique Products
Gift and independent retail stores, unlike big box stores (i.e. Wal-Mart, Costco, etc.) or grocery stores, prefer new and unique products. They are not interested, necessarily, in a “proven product” that has great sales volume, but would rather buy locally-made…
Create: What You Love or Best Sellers?
I managed a consignment woodcrafters co-operative in the late 1990s. Since I find wood crafts so intriguing, I loved being surrounded by and selling the beautiful, often one-of-a-kind, creations designed by our woodcraft consignees. And I enjoyed sharing the uniqueness…
Increasing Your Retail Stores’ Sales
Your sales job is not finished once you sell to a retailer. In order to increase the sale of your products, you need to focus on increasing your retail stores’ sales. Last week we talked about How to Help a…