Comments on: Store-Selling Vocabulary

By: ruth

ruth — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 17:41:20 +0000

This is really interesting. If you are supplying lots of places as well as selling yourself, its as well to have a *retail price* which is 50-60% above what you want / need to make on the item - your cost price. Then have your wholesale price which you sell to shops. Its important not to undercut shops by selling direct, particularly the same products or in the same city. If you want to keep your prices down to personal customers then offer a discount, right down to your wholesale price, should you wish and tell them its trade price, and they will love it! At some fairs etc where you are paying for a stand and need to make more profit and are confident of the retail price, then sell things nominally at the retail price, but again, offer discounts and special offers as a special ’show price’ and drop things for favourite customers and anyone else you like the look of, likewise for parties etc.

By: Katie C

Katie C — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:27:24 +0000

Thank you for posting this. I have a retail shop and I also design alot of items that I sell in my shop . When I first opened my shop in 2004 I took alot of local arts and craft items in on Consignment and I was only keeping 20% of the retail for the shop and after a couple of months I had to make a change and I lost a few good artist because they did not understand that I could stay in business if I dod not up my consignment rate. I had since up the rate to 45% and I am happy with the people that I have designing for the shop.
And I will say that if you want to sell to a shop you best keep your prices the same everywhere or the shops will drop you and I have had this happen to me when I did consignment prior to opening my own shop.

By: Mindy

Mindy — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 12:59:53 +0000

I have just opened my shop in Wellington New Zealand called Juniper. I myself am a handcraft artist and have found over the years no shop that just sells handmade. So here it is…http://junipergallery.blogspot.com/ I enjoy everyday meeting new designers. I only take 35% comission on a sale (except my own stuff of course) I do all the merchandising of the products as they come in and make sure the bio is up to date on each designer. I work hard for the small comission and that’s how I like it. I like the artisit to know that I work for them.

By: cally

cally — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 02:17:33 +0000

I once had stuff in a gallery shop that took nearly 70%, I nearly gagged!
Another great article Alicia.

By: Meltem Sozer

Meltem Sozer — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 01:31:31 +0000

Thanks for sharing the experience. I guess a lot of people are just out there looking for a way to start selling, or even a little encouragement. I myself have a lot of stuff stashed that I would like to sell. I am thinking of taking a few samples or photo prints to some stores and display them. I can’t wait to see your follow ups on this article.

By: Amelia

Amelia — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:00:22 +0000

Though I’m not selling anything at the moment I’m really enjoying reading these posts :)

By: Isabel Galanaki

Isabel Galanaki — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 08:12:32 +0000

Thanks for the information! :)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:46:11 +0000

Wonderful insight Alicia, and I love the picture too!

By: Miss Dot

Miss Dot — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:17:55 +0000

and don’t forget or underestimate Party Plan! I have had three people offer to host a party for me and I have less than a dozen pieces of stock! Of course it depends of your item (mine is jewellry and bags) so they suit this method. Now all I have to do is get enough stock together to do it… :-)

By: vegasandvenice

vegasandvenice — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 22:59:51 +0000

I am so glad that you are posting business related articles here. This one is another great one. Thanks for sharing your business knowledge!