How to Sell Your Product at Target

Gain access to a world of opportunity by supplying products to one of America's leading retailers, Target. With over 1,948 stores across the US and globally, getting your product stocked in their shelves could be life-changing for any company or manufacturer. But it takes hard work - knowing what criteria they look for as well as understanding financial processes and deadlines will help you make that all important first purchase with Target.

How Can You Get on Target's Radar?

Attending trade shows and investing in marketing are great ways to get your products into Target. Strategic publicity, such as getting published in industry publications, can also make a huge difference. Don't forget about the important role that having an online presence plays - optimizing search engine results is key for buyers searching out potential new inventory!

To get your product into Target, it's essential to maintain an online presence. Buyers are likely to take the time and search for products that stand out in Google searches and have positive blog reviews alongside attractive websites.

You Might Want to Get on the fast Track

If you're looking to get your product into Target, connect with professionals in the Target industry and ask them their thoughts on the buying process: what other products have been successful? What advice do they have for crafting a killer pitch? Even if it's just grabbing coffee or lunch, these conversations can uncover valuable insights about succeeding at getting picked up by big stores like Target. Partnering with a reputable retail sales agency or a trusted consultant is sometimes the best way to get started as they will provide you with the experience and guidance to take you step by step through the process.

Try to Approach Your Strategy in Reverse

To be successful in getting your product onto Target shelves, you have to take a strategic approach. This includes being aware of their history of replacing existing supplier products with their own versions and looking carefully at the way other brands promote themselves.

The key here is to approach crafting your strategy through the eyes of a potential Target Buyer.

Ask yourself these questions;

- What are the Buyers looking for?

- What would a Buyer like to see from a new brand in your category?

- What is missing in their current assortment in your category?

- How can my product/brand add value to Target?

- How will my product bring in more traffic to Target stores?

- Is my product something Target Guests are looking for?

Target is always open for new partnerships and can be a great platform through which businesses can showcase their latest products.

‍

Identify if You Qualify for Target's Diversity Initiatives

To ensure their marketplace is competitive, Target actively seeks diverse suppliers from around the world who can bring innovative and cost-efficient goods and services. By promoting supplier diversity they also seek to create strong community connections, strengthen economic growth, and deliver maximum value for shareholders. The Supplier Diversity team takes pride in providing an array of opportunities that meet local market needs while expanding access worldwide!

From growing your brand to planning for growth and further development, supplier diversity can be a great resource. Joining Target's online registration portal is an easy way to access potential suppliers with specific opportunities tailored just for you! After registering, keep track of updates through regular email notifications while updating your profile regularly on the portal - giving you every advantage in developing successful partnerships.

‍

‍

‍

How Do You Become a “Vendor”

Becoming a vendor for Target requires knowledge of their Rules of Use and Vendor Code of Conduct. In addition, you need to stay up-to-date on the company's responsible sourcing programs such as Social Compliance, Product Safety & Quality Assurance, Sustainability, and Standards of Vendor Engagement before connecting with one of its merchandising or sourcing team members. To ensure smooth business operations between supplier and target financial obligations must be handled via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) with their Accounts Payable Team while purchase orders are received through EDI systems; plus certificates of insurance may also be required depending on eligibility considerations for drop shipping. 

Essential Steps to Selling at Target

Step 1

Take the initiative to introduce yourself and your product directly to the person who calls the shots at Target! Get in touch with their corporate phone number requesting names of buyers or assistant-buyers within relevant categories. Make sure you leave a voicemail so they know measures have been taken, then leverage that information by connecting on various platforms like LinkedIn or RangeMe. If all else fails, turn towards reliable rep agencies or consultants for further assistance in getting connected with Target's decision makers!

‍

Step 2

Putting your brand in the spotlight pays off for both short- and long-term success. Utilize advertising, public relations and marketing to maximize visibility among Target buyers by taking advantage of 3rd party websites & industry media sources. Make sure you're leveraging current news stories and trending topics that will make your product stand out as a viable alternative or clear addition to their shopping options! This focus on building awareness now can be felt well into the future - when meeting with Target representatives at trade shows or other events they'll already have an idea of who you are making it even easier to form meaningful business relationships.

Step 3

To make a successful sale to Target, numbers and data are key. Understand the competition and know your bottom dollar for negotiations so you can determine if long term success outweighs short-term revenue loss. Remember that buyers at Target have plenty of experience in choosing their "winners," so take an active listening approach to sales.

Step 4

Achieving success by placing your product in a retail giant such as Target can be a daring goal for entrepreneurs. But, if you do have the ambition to accomplish it and think that your product would make sense for their shelves, there are steps you should take before moving forward. Begin with those important questions: does this demand already exist or will I need to create it? Can my production handle large volumes of orders from one retailer like Target? How involved will I remain throughout distribution - direct sale or licensing agreements through manufacturers? Addressing these questions at the start is essential when aiming high in terms of selling at Target.

‍

Step 5

Understanding your profit margins is essential when you're considering the viability of offering a product to retailers like Target. Consider not only costs associated with packaging and shipping, but also commissions, marketing efforts and wholesale distribution fees as well; these can quickly add up into crippling amounts if left unchecked. When discount retailers are involved there's even greater pressure on profits being stripped down to almost nothing in order for them to offer their customers low prices - understanding such dynamics ahead of time will ensure that putting effort towards selling through major retail chains remains both rewarding and viable!

Step 6

Choosing the right person to pitch your product to Target matters - it can be you or an experienced sales representative. A professional rep typically has greater industry knowledge and connections which may increase the chances of getting through all stages successfully. It is important to note that reps usually charge a flat fee and an additional percentage commission for their services when pitching products on behalf of companies. Make sure whoever presents your product showcases both business acumen, so they can handle financial questions as well as logistical inquiries from potential buyers at Target.

‍

Step 7

Building a relationship with Target takes time, effort, and planning. Before you submit any paperwork, make sure to contact an internal buyer who can help facilitate the process as smoothly as possible. Anticipate that they will require increased volumes of your product once agreed upon; be sure to stay one step ahead by informing both your manufacturer and production team of this potential opportunity. Maintaining customer relations is key for success in anticipation for high volume sales!

Step 8

Aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to scale their product by selling it in Target stores should take the time to understand the competition, be ready for a surge of demand, and leverage any helpful resources available. Taking these measures can bring you one step closer towards success!

You can now feel confident when approaching Target

Pulling off a successful entry into Target is not an easy feat, but when you put the time and energy into it, the rewards can be enormous. Achieving success in this endeavor requires a conscious effort to understand what customers want as well as building relationships with buyers and creating effective pricing plans that make sense for both sides. If followed closely, the steps in this guide can help entrepreneurs and product managers gain big time access to major retail stores like Target and ultimately generate more sales. You can now feel confident when approaching opportunities with retail giants such as Target - armed with knowledge of your product's value proposition, understanding of their needs, strong professional relationships, and smart business decisions.

‍

‍

‍

5 Things to Remember

‍

Research Target's Requirements

Before you can sell your product at Target, you will need to research the retailer's requirements. Target has specific guidelines that suppliers must meet to be considered for selling their products in the store. These guidelines cover a variety of topics, including product safety, packaging, and labeling. You can find more information on Target's website.

‍

Submit an Application

Once you have reviewed Target's requirements, you will need to apply. This application can be found on Target's website and must be completed in full. In addition to general information about your company, you will also be asked to provide details about your product, including photos and a description.

‍

Await a Decision

After you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by Target's team. If your product is selected, you will be contacted by a Target representative. If your product is not selected, you may reapply later.

‍

Prepare Your Product

If your product is selected by Target, you will need to prepare it for sale in the store. This may involve changing the packaging or labeling to meet Target's requirements. You will also need to create an inventory of your product so that Target knows how much to order from you.

‍

Promote Your Product

Once your product is available in Target stores, you will need to promote it so that customers are aware of its availability. You can use a variety of marketing channels to do this, such as social media, print ads, and online ads.

‍

Enter the retail market with a team! Success in this arena is nearly unattainable without trusted partners to provide insight and guidance. Lov Retail Partnerships can get you out of zero-growth deadlock quickly by adding sales staff, customer support, and marketing strategies that help you reach your goals faster than ever before. Make sure not to go it alone – explore what our partnerships have to offer.

‍

‍

If you have questions about getting your product placed at Target we'd love to talk to you!

‍

‍