I market a pet care product that works well, with all the smaller stores closing because of the large stores..

Question

Does anybody know what it takes to get your product into the large stores due to them closing the smaller Mom and Pop buisnesses? It sell great, works well and has been in buisness for over 20 years. I have tried contacting the large chain stores, but they seem to just run you around. I have had luck with smaller chain stores, ones with 2 to 3 locations, but the bigger the chain, the more they seem to avoid you.

Answer 1

Phil,

You must position your product according to what these large chains want to hear.

They want to hear that your product will sell as fast and frequently as their objectives call for.

They want to hear that the markup they can sell your product for also meets their targets.

They want to hear that your customers will buy it.

SO, have your customers that love your product go to the chains that do not currently carry it and have them ask for it. For all the chains know - you, your wife, your kids, your neighbors and your... are all customers. Everytime you go in the store tell the manager about the great product you used to be able to buy at (fill in the blank). Ask him if he can get it and direct him to a website (you found while looking for it) that you have that tells them how to get it.

Good Luck,
Dana B. - President
www.thebarfieldgroup.com