As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and ask: Is your wholesale strategy really working as hard as you are?
Creative brand owners often get caught up in the demands of running their businesses. Juggling multiple responsibilities and continuously developing new products (constantly demanded by the industry) can be overwhelming.
It’s easy to forget to take a moment to STOP and REFLECT on what has gone well. Regularly assessing your systems and strategies can help you work smarter, rather than always feeling like you’re on the back foot.
At Beautiful British Designs, we believe every brand benefits from a simple rhythm of Reflect, Review, Refine. By taking stock now, you’ll step into the new year with a stronger, smarter wholesale plan—and give yourself the best chance of landing more dream stockists.
1. Reflect: What Went Well (and What Didn’t)?
Start by looking back at the year honestly:
- Your stockists: Who were your best-performing retailers? Which ones placed repeat orders?
- Your products: Which designs flew off the shelves, and which struggled to gain traction?
- Your processes: Were you organised with following up stockists, looking for new business and order management, or did it feel a bit reactive?
This reflection isn’t about being critical; it’s about identifying patterns. Success leaves clues, and so do challenges.
👉 **Tip**: Write down the highlights and lowlights of your wholesale year. Sometimes, putting it on paper helps make the bigger picture clearer.
2. Review: Are You Maximising Opportunities?
Once you’ve reflected, ask yourself whether you’re making the most of your wholesale potential.
- Do I know which types of shops are the best fit for my brand?
- Have I built strong relationships with my existing stockists—or do I risk being forgotten after the first order?
- Am I consistent with outreach, or only contacting stores when I “get around to it”?
This is where many creative brands lose momentum. You’ve got the talent and products retailers love, but without a strategy behind it, you’re leaving money (and growth) on the table.
3. Refine: Small Tweaks, Big Results
The best part? You don’t need to reinvent everything. Small refinements can make a big difference:
- Update your pitch: Does your wholesale pack clearly show your bestsellers and make it easy for a buyer to order?
- Improve your follow-up: A simple system for checking in with stockists keeps you top of mind without being pushy
- Plan your calendar: Map out trade show dates, product launches, and seasonal peaks so you’re proactive instead of reactive.
Refining your approach now means you’ll enter the new year confident and prepared, not scrambling.
How Beautiful British Designs Can Help
We know the wholesale market inside and out—and we also know how overwhelming it can feel to juggle creative work with sales strategy. That’s where we come in.
Our short-term sales support and account management packages are designed to:
✔ Save you time and stress
✔ Take the guesswork out of wholesale
✔ Help you build profitable retail partnerships
In other words, we help your beautiful products get stocked in the shops they deserve to be in.
Ready to Start the New Year Strong?
If you’re ready to reflect, review, and refine your wholesale strategy—but feel like you would like a bit of help —get in touch. We work seamlessly as part of your team, and we’ll help you make sure your wholesale approach is working just as hard as you are.
👉 Contact Beautiful British Designs today to chat about how we can support your growth.
