How to get your product into RETAIL ready! BY GRACE KANG, FOUNDER OF PINK OLIVE AND RETAILRECIPES.COM

Grace Kang “Retail Expert” It starts with a spark of an idea.... what’s your story? LOVE for retail and finding unique gifts for happiness and home Contemporary T-shirt and Collections Buyer for Bloomingdale’s Designer Shoes & Handbag Buyer for Saks.com Womens CO-OP Denim Buyer for Barneys New York Specialty Boutique Owner, Pink Olive Retail Consultant & Founder, RetailRecipes.com

Retail Recipes

Eat Your Veggies FIRST impressions COUNT! DO your homework {the absolute MUST-DO things} FIRST impressions COUNT! DO your homework KNOW your story HAVE a compelling website & great images CREATE a linesheet / lookbook Packaging & presentation matter!

{the extra little things to entice buyers} Add a Little Sugar {the extra little things to entice buyers} SEND samples GIVE an incentive Be OPEN to consignment OFFER exclusives Don’t just SELL. Think of win-win partnership ideas

$$ Price FOR Profit $$ In order to get your Retail price, you need to look at: Cost of materials +Shipping+ Labor = A A x 2 to 2.2 = B (Wholesale Price) B x 2 to 2.2 = C (Retail Price) ** you can round up your retail price to next even number** NUMBER TIP: even numbers sell well (i.e. $18, $24, $36, $48, $98, $120} “9s” gives impression that it’s on SALE!

Create a BUZZ... Create a FAN base using social media {be talked about} Create a FAN base using social media PITCH to editors to obtain press mentions PARTICIPATE in local craft fairs and flea markets (relevant to your biz) ASK customers to review you (i.e. Yelp, Citysearch) Generate WORD-OF-MOUTH!

GET a piece of the PIE!

You got your 1st order, now what? It’s not about how many stores you can get but how many REORDERS you get. Stores want partnerships Check in to get selling information Offer exclusivity Don’t be afraid to evolve and tweak your collection Offer Product knowledge seminars for staff and incentives

Start Local.... and expand! GROW Organically.... bottoms up! Small businesses like to support local designers. It’s a win-win partnership! If a store passes on your line, it’s OK too. When you are ready to expand, work with Sales Reps/Showrooms to other areas (i.e. California, Florida, NJ)

What’s the RIGHT store for YOU? Department Stores vs. Specialty Boutiques Terms (NET 30, Credit Card, COD) Merchandise Expectation (Basics vs. Novelty) Shipping Expectations (BE ready!) Pricing (wholesale and retail) Who’s doing the buying? Never burn bridges!

Are you RETAIL Ready? ASK GRACE Q&A Time Here’s to getting your product out in a BIG way this year!! XOXO contact: grace@retailrecipes.com www.retailrecipes.com