I love Target, don’t you? Wouldn’t it be amazing to sell to them? If you have the resources to produce 9,000+ units, then you should consider it! Fairy Godmother, Margie Zable Fisher of Zable Fisher PR writes the following article about how to get your foot in the door with Target. She writes:
Can I share a secret with you?
It’s not all that hard to get Target interested in selling your products. Why would you want to sell to Target? Well, each of 
the 1,500 Target stores usually orders at least a half dozen products from each vendor — that’s at least 9,000 sales right out of the gate! Sounds like a pretty good reason, right? Plus, Target is the place to sell any high design products “Tar-jay”, as it is sometimes called, has a certain cache.
So how can you get a Target buyer interested in your product? Here are some ways that a Target buyer I spoke with finds new products:
1. Attending trade shows. Do you skip exhibiting at trade shows because you think they’re a waste of time and money? Think again. Many Target buyers find new products at trade shows. It’s a great way for the buyers to see many products at one time.
2. Publicity. For product companies, publicity provides a double-win: not only do you attract consumers willing to buy your product, but you also attract the attention of retailers who might want to sell your product. My Target buyer source tells me that reading about a great new product in a magazine or newspaper, seeing it on a TV show, or reading a favorable review about a new product online is a great way to get her attention.
3. Sales Reps. Large retailers like Target often work with professional sales companies that show them products that would work for them. All these sales companies do is sell to large retailers, so they have access to many buyers.
But there’s a LOT more to it…
What criteria does Target look for in a product?
What financials do you need to know before approaching Target?
Will you manufacture or license your product?
When can you expect to be paid by Target?
How long is the process?
WHERE do you start?
To learn MY step-by-step formula for getting your products on the shelves of Target and skyrocketing your sales, see my Special Report, “How to Get Your Product on the Shelves at Target, available here: http://zfpr.com/target.htm.
Margie Zable Fisher is president of Zable Fisher Public Relations, the leader in small business public relations. She publishes the ˜PRactical P.R.’ weekly ezine with thousands of subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your business through low-cost and free public relations and publicity techniques, get your FREE tips now at http://www.zfpr.com.
Now it’s your turn: I want to know if any of you have already tried to get a product into Target, what was your experience?? How did you get your product noticed? What recommendations do YOU have for other Startup Princesses who want to sell to Target?
Thank you Margie for your wonderful insight on this topic. I can totally see the value and excitement of being picked up by a retailer such as Target! Of course each opportunity often has more than one side to it and more than one effect. As a business owner of a online retail shop catering to unique mom invented items I seek out and prefer to focus on the products that are NOT in stores like Target. In fact, at this point if I am approached by a product that is already in a mass retailer, I will often not consider it. To me, the uniqueness is a bit affected and the ease of availability makes it much less likely to be ordered online.
I have found a growing trend in the types of products I carry being picked up by Target.com. In fact there have been at least 4-5 in just this past year. While this is exciting for the manufacture of the product I can’t help feel that it changes something about the way the product is viewed when it enters the mass market and of course it can’t help but affect my sales.
It is just interesting to see how even online stores are affected by the “big guys” taking the smaller companies with unique products and adding them to their line. It is a bit like the Wal-Mart issue and small mom and pop stores only in cyberspace. As any other type of obstacle, this just forces me to continue creative efforts in marketing and sales and encourages me to continue great personal customer service and free shipping and the many other little details that Target.com can’t always do. My point is just that there are pros can cons to any business decision and choosing to go after the big guys will change your business and potentially the companies that you work with so be sure to consider it all carefully to determine what your long term goals are, who want your target customer to be and what type of business connections will be most essential to help you reach your goals.
Yes, Heather, you’re right! there are pros and cons to this decision…I’ve heard of people who have over-extended themselves for manufacturing product for big box stores and then they don’t get paid in a timely fashion and it hurts them. But then it can be just the thing to move things to a higher level and reach a new, big audience. But once you move forward to big box, there isn’t much opportunity for returning to specialty retail, such as Moms 4 Life, etc. One thing that Manhattan Toy does is they only release to Target after they discontinue a product or after they give to the specialty retailer at least 6 months exclusivity on the product. I like that concern for the smaller retailer!
Hi Heather and Kelly,
You make great points. One area I see right now as an opportunity for small or online retailers is products made in the U.S.A. (especially toys).
The large retailers aren’t interested in doing this, but consumers (especially Moms) are really interested in safety right now.
Heather I really need your help.. I have cam up with a great product for women and chlidren. I am stuck with finding the right road map in getting my product to small retailers..
Any help you can give!
Thanks
Chrissie
I have something I would like to submit to Target. Who do I go to–where do I start?
I am actually going to disagree with some of your advice. I have my products sold online and it is very hard to get into the store. I have a lot of PR, I have attended trade shows and I can tell you Target buyers do not just go up to anyone. You need to know the right people. We do use sales reps that represent us in our online experience. Target is looking for branded names, a real product that can sell itself.
Hi Maggie,
I am not sure we would be able to produce enough since it’s handmade, but hey it’s a good problem.
Thanks for the tips. We made these beautiful plantable greeting cards we would like Tar-jay to get interested into
Thanks for sharing your tips.
Hi! I have an idea that I think would be great for Target to manufacture and sell under their own brand….how do I do this?? Any help would be appreciated!!
Thanks!
I enjoyed looking at your site. I am interested in promoting my line too. I will be attending trade shows also.
Hi, great ideas and tips here. I think the bottom line is to be your best you must be prepared. Dont forget how important it is to be ready for these opportunities, make sure your website looks great and is user friendly, make sure your product looks great and is priced for todays market. Having all of your fundamentals in place is the first step to be able to run forward when the time comes.
I have been looking for a way to get into the door of target.If you have any advise on how can I get my product in.I have this product, a pendant titled THE GIFT, One is silver and one is gold ,5 grams ,If I can find a way to get my pendants positioned with Target, It would be a great reward and accomplishment.
I am just starting and I actually don’t really know what I need to do to get my GIFT Pendants moving and get in to Target store .I just Really started this month,I went to one of the Targets in Connecticut and ask around on who I need to speak to.I was able to pick up a hundred of this and I would like for Target to see this product ,I believe that they would love my product because if you look at the big picture the name alone will sell itself ,…It can be global.
Ramon Ramoss last blog post…another Sunday
I want to come in the export business but i am not able to find buyers .I wanted to work with TARGET Buyer if you can you help me on this.
Thanx n Regards
Rahul Mandaar
Good Morning Dear
We are looking forward to serve in home textile & any kind of
fabrique nedded by the buyer also , ISO crtified company established in 2007
working with the Europen & American buyers.
also waiting to serve you as Huge volume is bing imported by you
with best regards
kashif AZHAR
I am a t-shirt designer with a huge interest in selling my line in Target. I am also able to produce the necessary quantities. Who should I contact and could you suggest specific Trade-shows to attend?
thanks,
Tangela Linder
We design handbags and clutches using designer fabrics. We sell a handbag and a clutch that are unique and one of a kind never duplicated. We also sell two clutches made from Italian and Belgium fabrics.
All our products are hand sewn in San Antonio, Texas by a group of Hispanic women who formed a sewing cooperative after the Levi Strauss plant closed in San Antonio.
The women who purchase our bags love them. We have never had one returned.
I think I bags would do well in Target because that are three things women like:
Fashionable, Affordable, One of a kind. She will never see another woman carrying her bag.
Is there anyway a meeting can be arranged with a Target buyer?
I would like to have an opportunity to sell custom made jewelry to Targets. I would like information on how to reach a buyer. It would be nice if a buyer would hold a conference for those interested in selling their products to Target. Target, if you would please take time to acknowledge those of us who with potential to bring great service to you.
Thank you!
Thanks for your interest in selling to Target. What I found when I created my report on how to sell to Target, is that most people don’t do their homework before approaching Target.
For instance, you need to have certain capabilities for shipping and manufacturing, as well as marketing plans, in place before Target even takes you seriously.
Target does not provide a list of buyers. I offer several Sales Rep firms that work frequently with Target buyers, and provide terrific resources to make sure that you have the best chance to sell your product to Target.
You can learn more about my report here: http://zfpr.com/target.htm.
Best Regards,
Margie
Dear Margie
I am an 82 year old grandmother, I have been painting in oils, water colors etc for many years, mostly to give away as presents. Lately I see the great success of a T-shirt company (Xuxumushu I believe its the name) and I have designed a line of zoo animals illustrations that could serve for the manufacture of t-shirts, bags, hats, etc, Everyone who sees these designs tells me they would be very successful if I can market them, but there is the problem, I do not know how to go about it. My home is in San Diego, California but at the present time I live with my daughter and grand children in Barcelona , Spain.
I would like to submit some of my designs to you as a sample of the prints of zoo animals, I have been looking at the products sold by the zoos and they do not have anything like my designs. I think they could be sold to the many zoos around the country or to a big store like Target or Sears. the name is ZooperZoos.com. Kindly let me know if there is any possibility that you might want to represent me. I thank you for your attention.
Hello to all the Start up MoMs,
If you want to get your product into Target or any other major retailer, calling them or submitting your info on their site will not get the job done. You need to attend tradeshows where the buyers are likely to be and then they can interact with you and your product. You need to stand out and be different than all the other vendors that are fighting to get their product onto their shelves. Learn all you can about the retailer you are approaching and find out when they look at products similar to yours. The fastest and easiest way to get a buyers attention is to contact a ex-buyer with is usually a Broker.
Best of Luck,
Boostmyproduct.com
Dear Ms. Fisher and anyone else reading that may have valuable advice.
I plan to start a childrens/tweens cosmetic line starting off with mostly glosses, polish, etc. The name and product packaging will play a major role in the marketing/advertising campaign. My initial idea was a clothing line for the same demographic group, that would later result in beauty, bedroom decor, etc., but decided to start with the beauty portion based on a number of factors including the US and world economy. Beauty and Health normally prevail and still do well. I read above about going into a big box store and considering your specialty market and how it can be affected. Do you think it’s wise to start with going for the gusto and getting with a large retailer if you can, maybe only selling to a selected number of Target, Walmart, or Sephora Stores?Any advice is much appreciated!!!
Hillary Dukes
[...] – Ask Entrepreneur How do I get local grocery stores to carry my value-added products? – eXtension How to Sell Your Product in Target Stores : StartupPrincess.com Geek Squad __________________ One Geek To Rule It All….. http://www.thinkgeek.com/ [...]
Hello I will like to sell my clutches in targets web, how can I do?
You can visit my store at. http://www.MISMA.etsy.com
Thank you,
Regards,
Maria
.-= Maria Gonzales´s last blog ..Gold and Silver – Brides =-.
Hello All;
My mom and I are a small business who makes homemade bath and spa products such as shower gels, scrubs and body butters. We would love to get our products into Targets and even some specialty boutiques in our neighborhood. Other than speaking to a business rep is there anything any one can suggest to help us get our foot in the door?
Hi. Our company manufactures a line of products (outside the US). We can even private label them. I believe i can get my products into Target, and in fact I am very interested in doing so. Not sure how to go about it. Production, and availability are not a problem. Neither is quality. We have been in business for about 20 yrs, and are very sound financially. Have never approached a “big box retailer” before. Not sure how to go about it. Can you provide advise?
I are working several buyer, like Wal-Mart, K-Mart,Terranova,Kappa,Bestseller Etc.
I be the Supply agent of Target in Bangladesh.
I Ronju, MBA(Marketing).
Wish your better Business & Economy in Bangladesh.
Have a nice day.
Brds,
Ronju.
I know Target buyers visit the big trade shows like (JPMA) ABC Kid’s Expo etc. If you are an exhibitor at these shows you can get a list of attendees from the organizers. I found a number of buyers from Target, Walmart, Costco etc and made appointments with them. You will find our products in these stores: visit our website: http://www.bumbo.co.za
.-= Donald Pillai´s last blog ..Latest News: Enforcement of Key CPSIA Requirements Takes Effect =-.
I am an abstract artist. My art has mass appeal and I would like to sell my framed prints and canvas Giclee’s in Target stores. What trade shows would I need to attend?
Hi, I would love to be a kid’s cloth designer for target is my passion and my dream, I am a mom of a 6 years old girl and she is all my inspiration.
I had no idea Target looked at trade shows. No more skipping out, I guess.
.-= Amy@homemade bath products´s last blog ..Grease Monkey Soap =-.
Can you help getting names and contacts of sales reps that can help us sell our products to Target?
Hello, I have a office cleaning business in Indiana looking to start a safe green cleaning product, one bottle cleans mirrors, glass, kitchen, bathroom, contains peroxide, vinegar, citrus. One bottle does it all, 32oz. So, good idea?
I’m trying to get my Herbal Supplement in Target Stores I just need to know how and who i need to be in touch with in order to make that happen?
We would like to sell our products on target.com. We are able to dropship direct to consumers and have an outstanding record with both costco and sam’s club sites with private label products. We would like to sell our product under under our trade name or a private label opportunity exists also.
Hi. Im intrested in sellling a drink at Target. How would i get strated??
I designed a toy that I sold the licensing on to a company that target already carries in their stores. Is there anyway to contact the target buyers to try to promote my toy so target will add it to the list of toys sold already
I have talk with manager at target, store and they would love to see our product in there store we could used the help
check us out and let me know what you think.
I need your help please, i am at Canada
i have million great product for fishing, but i am stuck with finding any help .because no good English .Any one ,any buyer please help i will do what’s ever you looking for.
please call 519 551 5149
thank you so much
Target buyers came to our booth at a trade show and they were very excited about our products.They said they would be in touch and took catalogs.We never heard from them.However 4 months later while doing my weekly shopping at Target I found they had knocked off 6 of our designs!! They changed them slightly (about 20%) just enough to make a lawsuit hard to fight.Plus even if we were to win after a costly long lawsuit…we are a small company that does not have the money to put up the huge legal retainers to fight.Target has a huge legal team on payroll….they know the little company’s dont have the resources! I used to LOVE Target…I shopped there every week for so many years.I have not shopped there since!!!
Watch out…they dont care about people!
As a recent buyer at Target, I can echo folks’ sentiments that it is not easy to get in to Target at all. Not only are the thresholds to do business with Target are high, but it is extremely hard to get an appointment with a buyer – it is all about relationships. When finally winning an appointment, often times buyers are turned off by the lack of ability to present a strong and compelling business case to buyers and the lack of understanding about the Target business. That all said, knowing the right people, the right lingo, and the buyer perspective is invaluable in positioning yourself to win space on Target shelves.
Hello,
I do hope this letter meets you in good spirits other wise I wouldn’t be so blessed. And I’m feeling blessed, so I thought that nothing beats a trail be a failure, so this is my story. My name is bettyjoe Cooper and am the author of a children’s book called- Children In Motion this book teaches children the months of the year and the seasons in a fun and interactive way, each page has a story dedicated to a girl and boy followed by a ‘sing-a-long’ to encourage participation with family, and other children. the book also has an accompanying DVD.
When I was writing the stories and songs. I thought to myself that I would like to incorporate fun music for the children, because when I was growing up I remember we used to sing in the schools. Songs like “Humpty dumpty” and “Baa-baa black sheep.” So I thought why can’t we have something that is just as good for our children here in the Bahamas, created by a Bahamian? Those songs stuck with me all through the years, and this is something that I really wanted to do for our children.
God bless.
Sincerely yours,
Bettyjoe Cooper
Author
Tel: 1-242-362-1278
Mobile 1-242-468-8770
E-mail: Bettyjoe@bettyjoe.net
I want to get Target-merchandising direct e-mail contact how to?
I’ve enjoyed reading this article as well as the many responses. Having spent 17 years in the apparel industry I agree that the best way to get your product seen by buyers is to attend trade shows and markets. But what about this type of product:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cplavoukos
http://www.cassandraplavoukosphotography.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=1&p=3
Anybody know what trade shows or markets I would attend to try to sell printed reproductions of my digital art for display in homes (i.e. wall art, home decor)?
Any feedback welcomed. Thank you !
C.S.Plavoukos
I have a very unique product that I have been selling at trade shows for women and children. You can see it on You Tube under Fusion Comb to see how it actually works. Its literally the world’s best and most convenient comb. I really need to get this in Target or a Beauty supply store. Any tips????
I invented a belt for woman that is interchangeable to four different looks. It comes in a nice gift box, that consist of a solid black rhinestone buckle and 3 interchangeable sleevs. I have a total of 35,000 gift boxes ready to be shipped. I am working now on marketing my product. Woman so far are loving my product. I have a great idea for my product just if I could get it in stores that it can be seen at. Samples come with product for sizes. S-M, M-L, L-XL also have XL-1XL
I am just ready to get my product on the go. I am looking to be able to help also on my Missionary work that takes money to do. I will help the needy and not the greedy. My telephone is on website and I look forward to talking to you or either giving me a apponintment or I can send you a sample gift box.
im trying to sell my product and we need advice! please E-mail me ASAP
If you want to loose control of your profits along with any chance of growing a brand long term then avoid big box retailers until you are very well established in small retailers, catalogs and online retailers. Big box retailers can destroy a brand and all hope of being profitable unless you have a strong following of consumers through independent retailers.
Actually there are much higher profits, much less risk and opportunities to grow healthier longer lasting brands by avoiding big box retailers all together. Larger quantity sales rarely mean more profits.
Our distribution focuses on higher profit level small retailers and we avoid selling to big box retailers for most of the products we purchase and stock.
We’re always looking for new innovative products. We purchase, stock and distribute concentrating on brand growth and brand owner profitability. See http://www.NewVendorSetup.com where you can submit your products to or distribution.
Thank you,
Billy Carmen
Wizard Distribution
Product News Channel
billy@ProductNewsChannel.com
I have a pattern style for t-shirts but it can span on to other types of clothing if one dares to. I have been unemployed for over a year now and as you can imagine, I have not much $$$ to spend however I am looking for a company or companies that are safe and trustworthy that I can present my idea to, sell the idea and hopefully one day see my idea selling at stores like target. Please advice. Thanks Nina
HEY! I HAVE A GREAT CLOTHES HANGER IDEA FOR TARGET. COULD YOU PLEASE CONNECT ME TO ONE OF YOUR HANGER MANUFACTURERS?-Courtney D.
Our company manufactures womens shawls and scarves. We do privatel labeling and custom designing. We currently have clients in the UK but want to expand to the US market. Anybody have any suggestions how I can contact vendors to look at my website or see my samples? I’ve been mailing samples to some companies but I never get a call back from them nor do I get my samples back. I don’t want to keep seeing out samples to everyone and eating the cost for not getting them back. I have a great quality products at a very reasonable cost. Any advise is appreciated.
I don’t have a “product”, but I do have some designs that I think might be marketable. I’ve heard of graphic designers who have somehow managed to get their designs in front of the powers that be at Target. These designs are used on things like kitchen towels, placemats, etc. Would you have any recommendations on how to approach them?