TheRodinhoods

Need help and any info on Physical Stores Marketing and Distribution

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