Selling Crafts Retail, approaching a Retail Store!

Selling crafts retail, can cause anxiety!.. I always found it to be my most knee knocking experience.. but could have huge payoffs!

Selling crafts retail, requires you to scout out retail stores that you think your arts, crafts, and creations would look good in... and likely sell.

Next you now need to convince the store owner of this!!.. The best way to approach this (personal opinion!), make sure you have some really good pieces, or a really good craft diary of all your arts and crafts and custom work Craft Diary also, make sure you have order pads, business cards, possibly a small brief case to hold all of this or a art folder.. please do not show up carrying a cardboard box from the grocery store with all your belongings!... you have to give a great professional image.

Make sure to wear something nice, do not show up in jeans!.. Call the stores you have chosen that you feel you work would look good in.. and ask to speak to the buyer, quite often this is the store owner, but ask anyways, as there may be a head office that takes care of buying, or selling crafts retail!. Ask to make an appointment to show him/her your arts and crafts, and be ON TIME!. Even if they are late, or even forget you had an appointment, do not look disgusted or ticked off!.. most store owners are wearing all the hats when it comes to their business, and may lose track of time.

Keep your sales pitch short and sweet, show him/her your best pieces, where you have been selling them, and then if the owner is interested, they will likely talk price (make sure you have an idea of how much you need for your work) and then they will discuss whether they will buy a certain number off you upfront, or whether you get paid only when they sell.. A lot of small stores prefer the second option, they give you shelf space, but they have control, they price them and display them, but pay you when they are sold.

If you agree to this, make sure you have it all laid out on paper, and make sure you have enough product to do this. The first option, works also, but the store may want some kind of guarantee that you will buy back any stock left over after a season or so.. Could you afford to do it that way?. Keep all of this in mind when approaching a retail store, selling crafts retail can be profitable if you choose the right store and location.