How likely is it that a chain grocery store will buy a product from a very small business?

Question

I package and sell mistletoe. How would I go about selling it to stores?

Answer 1

There are two problems. The first is that they would worry that you would not be able to deliver the volume they need. The second is that the supermarkets are paid by the big companies who want their products to take up precious room on their shelves. That may sound unethical but it is the way that chain supermarkets operate.

You would be better off making up some displays that small specialty places could use. They are more customer-oriented and if your display looks attractive they might give you a try. You might also try advertising on the web for mail order business although it could be kind of late in the season for that.

Answer 2

Go into as many stores as you can right away and talk to the manager and ask them if they want to buy your mistletoe.

When I started a window cleaning business I could not find any customers that would pay me what I was worth. Then I decided to keep on going until I found businesses to hire me.

I took allot of blows that might of stopped other people.

What I found out is that I had to keep on going until I found customers. I eventually did find customers.

Persistence+Playing The Odds=Success

I went out for 3 weeks straight with no results and then in one week I got $1300.00 in new accounts. BY the end of the week they were done too.

And even then it was up and down in income. I struggled ,and struggled, and struggled.

People told me no and that I would never make it.I did find a few people along the way that I could cry too along the way that were supportive.

The facts are you have to keep on going and find a support system that supports you 100%.

I would sell your mistletoe to everyone stores and beyond.

I had plenty of stores tell me no and then I had certain ones tell me yes. I have allot of commercial accounts.

Go and sell until no doesn't hurt any more. Then its all about finding the right people to buy from you.

Answer 3

I used to work for a very small coffee company, but our local Publix grocery stores picked it up and sold it. It flew off the shelves which made it easier to get into other stores. All you have to do is call the grocery store and ask for the store manager because they make the decisions on what to carry. Set up an appointment to meet with him in person. Be prepared to be asked all sorts of questions like your cost, how much it will retail for, how you plan on displaying them, packaging, etc. I actually made appointments with several grocery stores myself and about half of them picked up the coffee and half of them didn't all for their own reasons, but it is up to the manager, so you have nothing to lose. Once you have established yourself at one location, sometimes they will put in a good word for you at other stores. That really worked for me. E-mail me if you have any other questions. I would be happy to help because I support small businesses. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

Some stores, such as Henry's Market, buy products from small businesses and often buy groceries from local producers. Try contacting these type of stores to start selling in their local stores, and perhaps they will help with distributing the product.

Answer 5

Contact the store manager and ask about they handle procurement. Also, check your area yellow pages for wholesale distributors and see if they'll carry it and sell it for you.