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There are so many things to consider when getting ready to get your idea for a product from your head to the shelves. If you’re new to the game, then making a lot of choices that have to do with placing your item on specific store shelves if very difficult. For example, the first thing you need to decide is what kind of venue you’re looking to have your product occupy. Is it best meant for a grocery store shelf, or a convenience store shelf? Once you figure this out, then you’ll narrow down the window of possible routes to take.
If grocery store shelves is where you think you’ll have the most success, then you have a lot of choices for where to go. For example, you could find your idea next to other staples at places like Kroger, Walmart and Publix. The hard part is figuring out how to get to that stage. Before you can do that, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to focus on going through a broker, here is a good blog about finding grocery store brokers.
Many people are mistaken about the difference between these two routes. While they both end with you finding financial success through your product sales, they go about it in a slightly different ways. A broker is paid for by the grocery store and sent out to look for items that would do well in their stores. You can market to a broker, but they’re on a mission to secure items they’ve been set to find.
Distributors work for the people selling items. To acquire a distributor, you have to appeal to them and market your item. While this sounds like more work than going with a broker, once a distributor picks up your product, they will do all the selling for you. This is great because they know the market well enough to understand exactly where your product should end up in order to bring in the most sales—a distributor wants their clients to be successful because it in turn reflects on them. This differs from a broker, who won’t work as hard for an individual product because their sights are set on granting success to the stores who pay them.
This means that if you go through a broker and your product doesn’t do well, then you’ll face changing loyalties and the possibility that you won’t be featured on anyone’s shelves. However, a distributor is all about getting you success, so if you find your product not doing well in a particular store, then they’ll just move their sights in order to ensure that you do find what you’re looking for. The difference in the dynamics is important, because distributors offer a security that may be worth the effort it takes to acquire one.
After deciding on where to set your focus, you now have to find ways to gather the contact information you need to get in touch with the people who will help you continue down your road. You have the option of finding this information yourself, which will cost you no money up front, but will cost you a great deal of time and effort. Usually that means your dream of selling your idea will be put off because of how long you’ll need to find the resources and information necessary to continue.
Instead of wasting all that time and effort on groping blindly in the dark, or attending countless trade shows with nothing to show for it, you could be doing something easier and more useful for your product. There are ways of acquiring the information you desire without wasting any time or efforts. Please read blogs above.
The best part of using a previously existing directory is that someone else is using their resources to find updates and add them to your list. All you have to do is pay an annual fee to subscribe to the directory and you’ll automatically be set to go. More than anything else, you’ll also have access to a place that is made up of people who have been in the business for a long time. They know what to look for and what information you’ll need to accomplish what you want. This means that you won’t also be wasting your time with a long list of information. It’s arranged in an easy-to-use format, and updated twice a year, ensuring you’re not behind in the market.
If you’re serious about getting your product out onto a grocery store shelf, then you’ll need help finding people who will bridge the gap between you and the store. You can try to approach them yourself, but just like with book publishing, having an agent is really the only way to ensure success. Why not take advantage of an already established directory that brings you literally all the contact information you need? You’ll need your time and effort for other things that require your attention, such as getting your product set up and ready to be defended to a distributor.
Don’t let your dreams get away from you because of your pride or the fear of investing in this directory—resources are priceless, and the only people who win at the game in the end is those who didn’t take unnecessary risks before having the tools to bounce back from them. Claim your victory—and let the experts help you get there!