1. Have good packaging.
I don’t just mean the label design, although that’s important too; I mean make sure it fits on the shelves. You have a lot of competition out there, and you have to carve out room for yourself. Check out their packaging and see what it looks like. Is it hanging on a display? Stacked neatly on the shelf? How durable is it? How easy is it to open? Make sure to see how they’re doing it and then do it better.
2. Understand your desired stores’ buying cycles.
Start networking with store managers. Learn who the regional and national buyers are. You may need to ship your product to the buyers (along with a cover letter and media kit). Since you’ll probably end up waiting weeks to hear back, it’s best to do this step as soon as you can.
3. Figure out your UPCs.
The nonprofit group called GS1 US provides UPCs to companies for a yearly fee. You take the UPC and make it a barcode to be scanned at registers. Each product needs its own code. The Wall Street Journal has a good guide for understanding how UPCs work.
4. Calculate your true cost per unit.
Don’t just include manufacturing cost. Factor in shipping, packaging, UPC costs, and any other expense you accrue to get your product onto the shelves.
5. Get a patent.
Store buyers probably can’t sign a non-disclosure agreement before looking at your product, so be sure to talk to a patent attorney before sending out any samples. You can also read our article about provisional patents to brush up on the subject.
6. Don’t overlook smaller, independent stores.
They may be easier to get into, and when you’re selling steadily you have proof of concept for larger chains. It also helps prove that you can keep up with demand!
7. Don’t get discouraged.
Getting your product into stores may take a some time and dedication—but you’ve made it this far, you can go a little longer to achieve your dream.
Do you have any other tips for getting a product into stores? Leave a comment to let us know!
