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FAQWholesale questions from health and beauty brands, answered.
138 answers across 11 topic pages. Pick the topic you are working on. Each page covers it in depth and every answer stands alone.
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About SellToStores and how it works
What SellToStores does for health, beauty and personal care brands, what it does not do, and what happens at each stage.
14 questions
Wholesale basics
Core terms and decisions for brands moving from direct-to-consumer into stores.
14 questions
Wholesale pricing and margins
How to build a price list that works for you, a store and a distributor.
10 questions
Selling to distributors
How distributors work, what they ask for and what to check in the contract.
14 questions
Selling to independent stores
How independent stores buy from brands, and how SellToStores approaches them for you.
14 questions
Packaging, barcodes and shelf readiness
The checks a buyer runs on packaging before saying yes.
12 questions
Compliance, labeling and claims
General information for health, beauty and personal care brands. This is not legal advice.
12 questions
Samples, shipping, returns and reorders
How to send samples, ship orders, handle problems and win reorders.
12 questions
Skincare, cosmetics, haircare and beauty
Questions from beauty and personal care brands selling to boutiques, salons, spas and pharmacies.
12 questions
Health, wellness and supplements
Questions from brands selling supplements, wellness products and sports nutrition to stores.
12 questions
Pet, baby, home, electronics and FMCG
Questions from brands in the other categories SellToStores covers.
12 questions
About SellToStores and how an engagement works
What SellToStores does for health, beauty and personal care brands, what it does not do, and what happens at each stage.
What does SellToStores do?
SellToStores helps health, beauty and personal care brands win placement with independent retailers and distributors. We build the target lists, write and send the pitches, ship samples, report on every conversation each week and follow up for reorders. Buyers make the final decision, and we say so before you start.
Who is SellToStores for?
SellToStores works with brands in skincare, haircare, cosmetics, body care, fragrance and wellness products. Most are founder-led and sell direct to consumers today, and they want to add stores without hiring a sales team. A brand fits best when it already has repeat customers and can ship cases on a regular schedule.
Who is SellToStores not a good fit for?
SellToStores is probably not a fit if you have no product yet, or if your unit cost is close to your retail price. A store and a distributor each need a discount, so thin margins leave nothing to share. The free audit says this plainly, before you spend money on outreach.
What is the free retail distribution audit?
The audit is a short written review of your brand with a clear verdict on each area. It covers your wholesale and distributor price built from your cost, packaging gaps a buyer will notice, your sell sheet, whether to use distributors, direct stores or both, and the first ten accounts to approach. It is free whether or not we work together.
What happens after the audit?
After the audit we hold a strategy call of about 30 minutes to go through the report and agree on scope. You get a written proposal with scope and fees. Nothing further starts until you have seen the plan and the price in writing, and a yes or no carries no pressure.
What are the four stages of working with SellToStores?
The four stages are the free audit, the strategy call, outreach and reorders. In outreach we pitch buyers and distributors and send samples. In reorders we follow up on sell-through, fix what blocks a second order and give you a status list of every account.
Does SellToStores guarantee that a retailer or distributor will carry my product?
No. Buyers and distributors decide, and the terms of use state that the audit does not guarantee placement. What SellToStores commits to is the work: the target list, the outreach, the samples and a weekly status report that shows every conversation.
How much does SellToStores cost?
SellToStores does not publish a fixed price, because scope depends on whether you want distributor outreach, independent store outreach or both. You see scope and fees in writing after the strategy call and before you commit, and any paid engagement is covered by a written agreement.
How long until my first retail order?
No date can be promised. Timelines depend on how quickly buyers respond and on your production schedule, so SellToStores does not promise a date for the first order. It does commit to a weekly status update once outreach starts, so you always see where each account stands.
What does the weekly status report contain?
Each account on your list shows one status and one next step, such as contacted, sample sent, awaiting reply or reorder due. The report covers every conversation, so you can see what buyers said and decide on discounts, samples or terms without waiting for a monthly summary.
Does SellToStores take title to my products or ship them?
The service pages describe pitching, sample kits, sell sheets, contract review and reporting. They do not describe buying your inventory or handling fulfillment. You fill the orders and honor the terms, so confirm any logistics question during the strategy call.
Does SellToStores publish case studies?
SellToStores publishes a result only when the brand has approved it and every figure traces to a purchase order, invoice or retailer report. Until a case study meets that bar, it stays off the Proof page. If you want to speak with a past client before deciding, ask on the strategy call.
Is SellToStores a distributor or a broker?
No. SellToStores is a service that pitches distributors and independent retailers on your behalf. A distributor buys from you at a discount, stores product and resells to retailers. SellToStores finds the right ones, pitches them and reviews the contract before you sign.
What information should I bring to the first conversation?
Bring your unit cost, your wholesale price and your MSRP, where you sell now, how many units you can ship per month and the kinds of stores you want to be in. With those four items, the audit can test whether the margin works before any outreach begins.
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Want these answers applied to your brand?
Start with the free audit. You get a written read on your wholesale readiness whether or not we work together.