How Do I Sell My Product to a Retail Store?
By Brad Sugars •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In my shop, I make a sheet-metal evaporative cooler jack. How can I sell it to a hardware store? Do I need some sort of certification and, if so, how do I do that?Certification or license requirements vary by region, so you'll have to check with your local and state regulations offices to find out. In the meantime, I recommend that you visit a local hardware store and see if there really is a market for your product.
If so, the hardware store owner or manager should put you in touch with purchasers at higher levels to see if your product is something they may want to stock. You can also go to industrial wholesalers or suppliers in your area or region to see if there is a market or interest from their perspective.
The biggest key is finding out who your customers are and where they reside, and what key benefits and solutions your product offers or provides. Then, work backwards to determine which distribution channel is best to sell your product (retail, wholesale or even online).
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