These are small group opportunities to share best practices and ask questions with fellow retailers. Facilitated by RIA board members, sessions will be open discussions between all participants. The conversation flow will be dictated by the group, however a list of possible questions is below to provide an idea of what the Vendor Relations conversation may include.
- What has worked best for your in communicating your store’s needs and challenges to vendors?
- What criteria do you use when evaluating new product lines or brands at a tradeshow?
- In what ways do you wish vendors supported you more effectively? (Marketing? Events? Staff training? Other?)
- How do you evaluate whether a vendor is treating you as a partner versus just a customer?
- How flexible have you found vendors to be on minimum orders, payment terms, shipping, etc.?
- What is your approach to negotiating terms without damaging the relationship?
- Have you had success in asking for exclusivity or unique product opportunities? If so, how did you go about doing that?
- What is one thing you do before a tradeshow that makes your vendor meetings more productive?
- How do you ensure follow-up commitments from vendors don’t fall through the cracks after the tradeshow?
Dates:
Tuesday, October 7th at 9am PT/12pm ET - Register NOW
Wednesday, October 8th at 11am PT/2pm ET - Register NOW
Other dates to open if these sessions fill
