renee125 started this topic @ 18:22 on 23/06/2006
Hi
I am thinking of starting my own online store selling baby and maternity wear. I've been doing research and although I'm finding suppliers (mainly wholesale) I'm wondering is it better to approach the manufacturers or designers directly and ask if I can sell their stuff. So far my best response has been to go direct.
Can anyone tell me if this is the way its done? I don't have much retail experience but its always been my dream to have my own shop.
thanks
RE: Acquiring stock for an online store
Jonny | 23/06/2006 07:03 PM
I think it depends on how you intend to set your stall out.
If you are aiming to sell mass market products that appeal to a wide market then you will probably be looking to source well know brands and products from well established distributors.
Main advantage to this strategy is you are selling products that people know well already, downside being you will be up against much bigger, longer standing players and I suspect the main area you will be forced to compete is price, as the same product is available in lots of different places.
One way to differentiate yourself is look at a niche segment within your market and tap into it. Maybe approach some designers or manufacturers in Europe or in the US and bring in lesser known products that are not currently represented well in the UK and that you can command a price premium for. As a small online outfit, you will find it much easier to generate better margins this way albeit the challenge is you may have to educate the customer about your new products and brands.
Our business is very much based on the latter strategy - bring in hard to find, premium products that no-one else sells. The market is smaller and more niche but at least we are not competing with every other tom, dick and harry selling cheap billabong t-shirts etc etc.
------------------------
RE: RE: Acquiring stock for an online store
renee125 | 23/06/2006 07:53 PM
I’m looking at brands like catamini, marese and oilily. I’ve also looked into hard to find US brands. Some companies I’ve found have agents and others don’t. I assume the agents are who I deal with but who do I deal with when there isn’t one?
My thought process is that wholesalers get the stock from the manufacturers so why can’t I. Is that naive?
thanks
RE: Acquiring stock for an online store
stanleyjeans | 23/06/2006 10:23 PM
The major problem is if you get things directly from manufacturers alot have high minimum orders. In my experience generally they want between 600 - 1,500 items PER STYLE!! I'm also thinking of starting up my own on-line clothing store (maternity clothes too ) and source of stock is an issue.
Cheers liz.
RE: Acquiring stock for an online store
x7.com | 24/06/2006 05:04 PM
The real questions are;
how much have you to invest and over how long?
Then should you have your online shop how are you going to let people know?
How are they and why are they going to use you.
One idea may be to start with baby parties like annsummers and expand on that.
lets face it, its an expanding market.
send some details to me
Paul
www.x7.com
RE: Acquiring stock for an online store
FitnessGold | 24/06/2006 06:29 PM
Hi,
Feel free to contact me on sales@ecomempire.co.uk and we can discuss a few alternatives.
But yes, the main points to consider are how much you have to invest, and how quickly you think you can get a return on your investment. Going direct isn't always the easiest option as the minimum orders required are ridiculously high for some.
Getting people to your store isn't a problem, we have ideas and the software that you can use to generate a fast flow of traffic to your site.
Contact me if you want to discuss further. Look forward to it.
Deren
------------------------
www.PrintEmpire.co.uk - VERY Affordable Printing!
