Struggling to find a distributor.
Discussion
Me and a colleague have gone into partnership selling sports clothing. It is combat sports clothing and we have found an awesome supplier who also manufacture for our competition. Our items are basically the same but with a few tweaks to prevent any copyright infringement. All the items are high quality and of the same exacting standards that many top athletes wear.
However, we've come to abit of a crossroads. We can't grow the company unless we have big contracts to service.
We have approached leading sports outlets but had absolutely zero response. Am I correct in approaching the CEO's or do I have to look further down the chain of command?
However, we've come to abit of a crossroads. We can't grow the company unless we have big contracts to service.
We have approached leading sports outlets but had absolutely zero response. Am I correct in approaching the CEO's or do I have to look further down the chain of command?
With all due respect it looks like you have badically found a supplier that supplies a product to another business and you have decided to copy it 99% and only changed maybe the label or tweeked it enough so you don't get into trouble for it.
Distributors are not daft or silly and probably can see this a mile off and if item A is already on the market from your "competitor" then unless yours is very different/better or significantly cheaper then why would they bother.
Distributors are not daft or silly and probably can see this a mile off and if item A is already on the market from your "competitor" then unless yours is very different/better or significantly cheaper then why would they bother.
IATM said:
With all due respect it looks like you have badically found a supplier that supplies a product to another business and you have decided to copy it 99% and only changed maybe the label or tweeked it enough so you don't get into trouble for it.
Distributors are not daft or silly and probably can see this a mile off and if item A is already on the market from your "competitor" then unless yours is very different/better or significantly cheaper then why would they bother.
The majority of our product lines (70%) are not with any major sports wear network. Only 'specialist' suppliers are selling them and making 800-900% margins.Distributors are not daft or silly and probably can see this a mile off and if item A is already on the market from your "competitor" then unless yours is very different/better or significantly cheaper then why would they bother.
Schermerhorn said:
jonamv8 said:
Does your product have enough of a usp???
Yes, the name itself is a very very strong selling point. We have some contracts with councils and schools but servicing these alone will not result in our growth expectations.You need something more than a good name, you need something to hook the consumer.
Councils and schools don't count - they buy on price, not branding.
KFC said:
Schermerhorn said:
Yes, the name itself is a very very strong selling point.
How did you come to that conclusion?
However, all laughing aside, I still need to know how to approach a distributor!
Schermerhorn said:
Because we've been approached by competition who tried to buy the rights to the name from us. It's a unique name and strong selling point and sums up our brand in three words.
However, all laughing aside, I still need to know how to approach a distributor!
A 3 word brand name with nothing else behind it isn't a USP. However, all laughing aside, I still need to know how to approach a distributor!
KFC said:
Schermerhorn said:
Because we've been approached by competition who tried to buy the rights to the name from us. It's a unique name and strong selling point and sums up our brand in three words.
However, all laughing aside, I still need to know how to approach a distributor!
A 3 word brand name with nothing else behind it isn't a USP. However, all laughing aside, I still need to know how to approach a distributor!
Schermerhorn said:
I am not saying it is. I am saying it is a good name, we have been approached for the rights and we have a good product. We need to amalgamate all that together and try and create something viable.
Someone asked "Does your product have enough of a usp???" and you said yes, the name.I'm oot.
allergictocheese said:
KFC said:
Someone asked "Does your product have enough of a usp???" and you said yes, the name.
I'm oot.
In the outdoor/active market name and brand can be the only tangible USP where product specification is similar across an industry.I'm oot.
We have just got another 2 contracts yesterday so we are slowly growing but a truly big deal still eludes us.
jonamv8 said:
Whats the name then??
Name not usually enough of a USP but you never know, enlighten us
How many Man Utd shirts are sold versus technically identical League 1 teams' ones?Name not usually enough of a USP but you never know, enlighten us
How many people will spend more money on a branded rucksack than an unbranded one made in the same factory?
How many people spend £1200 on a watch with a brand name, that uses the same components and looks similar to an £80 Seiko?
In many instances brand can be the only differentiator that makes a tangible difference.
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