Growing a brand vs protecting your retailers ? Advice needed!!

[SeanD]

Wow, those ARE really nice and I can see why they are sought after - except for the "Ohio" splashed across it. Kidding. They are very nice.

I agree with the advice you were given. Have two designs for each retailer, but consider a one-time set-up fee in your agreement if they want something unique and exclusive. Something like when you order T-shirts with a logo, you usually pay a bit more for them to set up the first screen, etc. I don't know if your process has a similar cost structure. Be up front with them and let them decide if it's worth it.

Sean

[maple flats]

Those are real nice. Good job!

[kiteflyingeek]

WOW!! Very nice! I may have to figure out how to do that in a year or three. Now, I'm working on getting enough syrup made so I can consider selling in stores.

Good luck figuring out what to do with your second potential customer.

--andrew

[Lazarus]

Thanks!! I was actually kind of forced into doing it ... we had lots of requests for a state bottle, and we pack almost exclusively in glass. Ohio digs aside , it is not one of the more mainstream states for advertising maple syrup on all kinds of bottles even though we're up there in volume. There were very few examples of state bottles for us, and they were kind of uninspired and boring (an outline of the state, really?). Zzzzzzzzz.

[unc23win]

Very nice bottle for sure good job. How many of them do you think you could sell in Texas this weekend?

[johnallin]

As a suggestion...
You tell retailer #1 that an exclusive would require a commitment in sales and/or initial order of "x" amount. If after year one they don't meet or exceed, you are free to seek other outlets in that area for your product. If they can't produce, you don't have someone holding you back...if they can everyone is happy and you have a life-time loyal account.

[Lazarus]

Hey Jared! You inviting me to Texas this weekend??? It is warmer than 0 degrees there?

[unc23win]

ha ha no I just bet you could sell a lot of syrup in those bottles outside the big game on Monday. I wouldn't normally root for the Buckeyes, but since they are Big 10 I will.

[twitch]

Those are sweet such a nice clean look to them.

[pidget19]

I'm a manager for a large grocery store (part of a chain, my store does over 800k in sales a week) and I have to say that what you do outside of retailer #1's store is not her business. Unless you actually have an agreement with her to be your exclusive retail outlet, you are free to sell your product in the way that best suits your business. I have 3 small syrup distributors who sell in my store, and they also sell at every other chain grocery store on our strip. Doesn't bother me one bit because my bottom line isn't driven by syrup. In fact, all three of them combined contribute less than 0.01% of my weekly sales. It's all about convenience to my shoppers.

I do think the idea that every one else has suggested so far is a great idea though. You would be amazed how much people are willing to spend to have a "collection." The only warning I would give there is that you don't advertise them as such and let people figure it out on their own. If you advertise something like "Collect them all" and each bottle is only available at an exclusive retailer, that gives all retailers involved ammunition to say you're advertising for a competitor with in their establishment, which may get you removed from their shelves.

I guess the point is be sure you do what's best for your business and your income! Being a fellow maple lover, I know how much time, effort, and personal pride there is in what we do and you should be free to grow your business to share that passion.