Summer is one of the busiest seasons for independent retailers. With holidays, garden parties, weddings and warmer weather driving footfall, it’s the perfect time to get your beautiful gifts and greeting cards in front of stockists and onto real shop shelves.
But if you’re a small creative brand, getting stocked in shops can feel like a mystery. That’s where we come in. At Beautiful British Designs, we help talented makers and designers like you take the guesswork out of the wholesale process and walk you step by step through the wholesale process. Email us for a no-obligation chat to find out more.
Here are five expert steps to help you get your products into shops this summer:
1. Make Sure Your Product Range Is Retail-Ready
Before you approach stockists, double-check that your greeting cards are truly ready for retail:
- Do they come with high-quality compostable or recyclable packaging?
- Are your designs consistent and cohesive as a collection?
- Do you have a clear pricing structure, including RRP and trade prices?
Shops want to know they can trust you to deliver professional, sellable stock—so presentation matters.
2. Create a Wholesale Catalogue or Line Sheet
Buyers are busy, and they need information quickly. A well-designed wholesale catalogue or line sheet is essential. It should include:
- Product images (clear and styled shots)
- SKU numbers
- Pricing (RRP and wholesale)
- Minimum order details and carriage paid amounts
- Ordering process and contact info
This helps buyers say “yes” faster—and shows you’re serious about wholesale.
3. Build a Targeted Stockist List
Think about where your ideal customer shops. Are your cards best suited to:
- Independent gift shops?
- Stationery boutiques?
- Garden centres or lifestyle stores?
Make a list of shops that are a good match, and research the right person to contact (a friendly phone call can go a long way!). Personalised pitches always perform better than mass emails.
4. Craft a Confident, Friendly Pitch
This is where many creatives get stuck—but don’t worry, you don’t have to sound “salesy.” A good pitch email includes:
- A brief intro to your brand
- What makes your products special
- A link to your catalogue
- A few standout images
- A clear ask (e.g. “I’d love to send you some samples” or “Would you be open to a quick chat?”)
And always follow up—it’s not pushy, it’s professional!
5. Stay Organised and Follow Up
Getting into shops isn’t a one-time task—it’s a process. Use a simple spreadsheet or we would recommend a good CRM tool to keep track of:
- Who you’ve contacted
- When to follow up
- Any notes or responses
Being consistent (and kind) in your follow-ups can turn a “maybe” into a “yes”.
And we are with you every step of the way so if you need help or what a chat to find out how we do it just drop us a line.
