How to Sell Your Jewelry to Retail Stores
If you’d like to expand your jewelry business, why not consider selling your jewelry in local retail stores and galleries? Here’s how to get started.
Retail store owners are busy people with limited time. On the plus side, store owners are always looking for unique handcrafted jewelry they can sell that will set their store apart from the competition. Thus retail stores can be a receptive market for selling your jewelry.
To sell your jewelry in a boutique or gallery setting, you need to approach the store owner in the most professional manner possible. Here are some tips for doing it properly:
- Visit the store prior to approaching them to take your items to make sure your jewelry is an appropriate fit. Don’t address the owner of the store at that time. Get a card while you’re there so you can telephone them in the future to set up an appointment.
- Always telephone and speak with the owner before attempting to market your jewelry to her. Store owners don’t like to be approached during store hours unless the designer has an established appointment.
- Have your terms and price structure established and documented on paper so you can hand the owner a copy. This makes you look like the professional you are.
- Know your inventory inside out and be able to communicate this to the store owner. Let her know why your items are special.
- When you do get an appointment, take along a representative group of samples of your
jewelry. Don’t bring more than one or two of one particular type of item. When there are too many choices it can confuse the shop owner and result in indecision which can reduce your chances of getting an order. - Don’t be upset by rejection. It’s a part of doing business. Even the most beautiful jewelry is not right for every market. This is why the initial research you did when you visited the store is so important.
By approaching store owners in the most professional manner possible, you’ll have an excellent chance of forming a successful long term relationship that can be mutually beneficial to both you and the store owner.
2 Comments
Hello Dr. Leong!
I am very appreciative of this information as it comes in handy. I was about to visit retail/boutiques tomorrow with handmade jewelry at hand. However, after reading your article, it made sense to me that if I were a boutique owner, I’d most likely want to be approached by phone rather than my business hours at my shop. I get it.
Thanks!
Monica
Alluring Drops
How is the retail business? I see much merchandise from foreign places. When will the products come back to America and be made here? I am a designer of handmade jewelry; necklaces, bracelets, earrings (pierced & clip-ons), but getting in the right place to sell is a major problem. I would like some input on how to get my boutique started. I like products made in “America”, not foreign lands.