A Guide on How to Get
Your Product in Stores

Whether you're a brand new business trying to get your product in stores or are an existing business that's toying with the idea of expanding your existing product line, getting your product into retail stores like Target, Wal-Mart, or another big box retailer is often times a "make it or break it" situation. If this kind of business sounds like you, here are a few tips on how to get your product in stores, from smaller stores and local retailers with only a handful of storefronts to major retailers with stores nationwide. Wondering how to get your product in stores? Read on for our helpful business tips!

Identify the right store

Before you approach retail stores, do market research and understand where your potential customers and target market shop. Most entrepreneurs automatically assume that getting their product onto the shelves of large chains is the best way for them to sell products, but for many businesses it's just as important to establish relationships with small business owners in your own town.

If you haven't already researched your customer base, business clients, and target market, do so immediately. This will help you understand more about your potential buyers, the price points they look for in stores, and whether they shop online or in person.

Start small and gradually expand to more retail stores

If you're a small business owner yourself, the best advice we can give is to start small: consider a hybrid approach where you sell products or t shirts on online marketplaces, virtual trade shows, AND local stores. Establish a customer base, work on building relationships with your online customers and vendors, and then consider expanding to a national chain with a multitude of stores. Once you've identified the right retail store, it's time to move onto the next step.

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Pitch your product to the retail store

So, you've identified the right retailers and local stores. Now it's time to pitch your product to the online or big-box retailers. In some cases you'll be pitching your product to the store owner in person and in other instances you'll be meeting with retail store owners virtually. In both scenarios, you'll be meeting with key decision makers, so this is your opportunity to create hype around your brand and business.

Partner with a marketing business

If you've never pitched a product to retailers or local stores before, you may want to partner with a marketing business that's well versed in putting together marketing emails, can calculate projected sales numbers in your target market, can project demand among your buyers, and understands what a decision maker looks for during the product pitch for their store. This is one area where you do not want to be unprepared. Sales matter, so consider hiring a sales person who understands your market.

Understand the requirements for products & product packaging

What are the requirements larger retailers have for their new products? What are absolute must-haves for packaging? Here are a few things your small business should keep in mind, especially if you'll be meeting with larger retailers in an effort to get your product in stores.

Compliant packaging

Is your packaging compliant with local regulations? Buyers care! Things like PFAS and meeting FDA standards are all very important to small, medium, and big retailers. CarePac can help ensure that all your packaging is compliant, which is something overseas suppliers can't really provide.

Packaging size for local stores

Unlike other companies that make you fit THEIR packaging, CarePac can fully customize your the size of your packaging. This way, you're maximizing the space you do have on the store shelves. If you approach retail stores with packaging that's way too big for your product, this makes you look disorganized and unprepared.

Barcodes and QR codes

This is especially important if you're focusing on online sales, as many online retailers require bar codes with identifying information, such as pricing information. Whether it's an Amazon ASIN, a scannable QR code, or a standard barcode, make sure your product packaging has whatever information potential investors would be looking for.

Come to the meeting prepared

This is one area of finding the right store where you don't want to fake it 'til you make it. Fortunately, CarePac can help you impress larger retailers and potential buyers with our prototyping. We're able to print as few as 100 bags, so you can go to the meeting with actual product samples in real product packaging. This can help get your product into stores because the big-box or local retailer will be able to hold your product in their hands, packaging and all.

Skip the mock-up; bring the real thing

Many small businesses go to these meetings with a mock-up or an "idea" of what their packaging will look like. Why not take it a step further and show the brand you're meeting with that you put a lot of thought into pleasing potential buyers with amazing packaging.

Find a good co-packer

Finding a reputable co-packer means that they'll have the necessary equipment, production capabilities, and retailer staff to help you increase production when you need to. This way, if you see a huge boost in sales, either online sales or at retail stores, you won't have to worry about whether or not your co-packer can handle the increase in volume. Ask your co-packer about their ability to scale up, especially if you plan on adding new products or increase sales through an intense marketing campaign.

Consider cashflow

Now comes the boring part: line sheets, ledgers, managing stock and inventory, and making sure your product can be replenished repeatedly without going into the red. Many retailers and stores pay you long after your customers and buyers purchase your product, and others are notorious for running on consignment- meaning you won't get paid until (or if!) you sell your product. Additionally, you might pay more for getting your product into stores that offer premium placement or endcaps.

This is the dark part of how to get your product onto store shelves that nobody talks about. Make sure you have a healthy savings account and are prepared for the product in stores to sit on the shelves a bit before you make any kind of profit.

Make sure your product stands out on store shelves

Now that you know how to get your product in stores, it's time to think about how to stand out from all the competitors who are selling similar things.

Ready to sell your product in stores, online, or at local shops? If the demand is there, we can help you take your business to the next level with the very best packaging. We can help you create packaging that's the real deal- it will help you stand out in your local area, nationwide, and everywhere in between. Regardless of what you're selling (or where -- online, in stores, it's all the same to us!), we can help package it.

Working with us is incredibly easy. We're a business, too, and we have experienced a lot of the same pain points as you. Your best bet for high-quality packaging that can help you lower costs and stand out at stores, is to work with us to create the perfect packaging.

A Guide on How to Get
Your Product in Stores

Identify the right store

Start small and gradually expand to more retail stores