I am new to the game of selling products and am trying to properly prepare myself so I don’t come off as rude or as a dummy (as well as trying not to immediately traumatize myself). Technically it will be B2B sales. Most stores I want to sell at are small and independent, not big chains.
I have already registered the company, made the product, labeled it appropriatly, created the website, had a certified lab analysis done, gotten the product samples ready, and I have written down both the production cost as well as the sale price (on the website).
What should I roughly expect when I go to physical stores to sell my product to them? Do I simply walk in and ask for a manager? Am I missing something in my preparation (physical or mental)? Are products generally on consignment to stores or are they bought outright? Should I bring enough stock to the first meeting or is it normal to drop off products on a separate/later date?
All advice welcome! I am in the Mid/Southern USA. This is not an ad. I will not name my product/brand/website.
You might want to prioritize mom-and-pop stores, as corporate-owned stores are going to have red tape that store managers will not be able to do anything about. As an extreme example, the manager of a Wal-Mart will not be able to do anything about putting your product, since corporate has contracts and obligations to all of the brands and products on their shelves.
The other commenter said you’d hear “no” a lot, and that’s true. Shelf space is extremely contested, which is why small stores with no overhead are your better bets. Good luck!