I am starting my own clothing line. My ultimate goal is to have stores like Macy's, Dollards, and Bloomingdale's carry my line. I realize that this is a big goal and it will take me a long time to get there. In the mean time I plan to sell my line to small boutiques and attend trade shows. Here is my question..if i am selling my line at several boutiques and then a big store such as Macy's decides to carry my line, I am not sure that i would want to sell to the somaller boutiques anymore. How would i go about dealing with that situation? I can't just call up my stores and say sorry, I'm not selling to you anymore. That just seems rude and not a very good business practice. Any thoughts?

Rebecca,

Don't get the cart before the horse...it will take a long time and a good track record to break into the big chains. If and when the time comes you can actually have two lines...one for the boutiques and one for the department stores, or you can just increase your minimums to the point they are no longer attractive to the small retailer. But the big stores turn on a dime. You may find they pick your line up, you get rid of all the little guys that got you there, and then something "hotter" comes out and they drop you. If you get to the point the big retailers pick you up you can deal with it then. They aren't going to ask you to stop selling to the other guys but they may ask you to produce something just for them...if that's the case your problem is solved.

Denny

Two lines, one fot the big guys and one for the others...why didn't I think of that??? Great advice Denny, thanks so much.

Hello,

We deal with this delima quite often. Once your line becomes very popular in the smaller avenues. The mainstream later picks up your line. Generally we have seen the larger retail outlet having you design an exculsive line just for them. In which your pieces will only be available at their outlet. You still would be able to maintain the small stores as well as the online market. Hope thats helpful. Send us any questions or give us a call to answer any of your qu8estions.

MRE Brand Studios
Los Angeles , Ca.
323-223-0818
www.myspace.com/mrebrandstudios

Yes that was very helpful, thanks