Hi Kinship,
We are discussing ( and hopefully close) a licensing agreement with a fairly popular Foreign Brand. (i.e Acquire rights to use a brands logo, artwork , trademarks etc on a category of merchandise that we manufacture and then sell through whichever channels we can )
The agreement involves paying a certain Minimum Guarantee (MG) – few lakhs to the Licensor and other standard terms like to what extent can we use the logo , trademarks etc .
Now we are primarily etailers with know-how of how we can push and promote the merchandise online through our own portal theskinmantra.com as well as various marketplaces , however we certainly feel to leverage the license ( and to cover the MG ) we will have to make the merchandise available in Physical Stores ( large format as well as high end single stores)
We have limited exposure to the workings of how Traditional Marketing and Distribution Works for retail stores . So My question is basically this :
1) As a manufacturer , how and whom do we approach If we want my product to be reach all Gifts and Stationary shops in Maharashtra (for instance ) .
Is there a directory of Distributors? Is there an agency which can help us get handshake in the market ? Is it through Reference and Contacts ?
2) Any thumb-rules to be followed when deciding distribution model eg max Invetory rolling or max credit. Inventory Roll back terms etc? I realize that these terms can bevery subjective and hence asking standard terms which can be used as reference points.
Keenly await for some Insights by fellow Rodinhooders.
Cheers.
Akash