How to Get Your Product Into Big-Box Stores

Imagine finding your product on the shelf at a large retailer. Does it make your heart flutter? Getting a product into a big-box store like Walmart or Target is a dream come true for many entrepreneurs or anyone who wants increased brand exposure. Millions of people shop at big-box stores each year, and it’s how they discover new brands. 

Customers enjoy shopping at these stores, especially as they spend more time at home with domestic activities, such as cooking and DIY projects. That’s because big-box stores allow consumers to stock up on essentials and a range of other products at affordable prices. From a business perspective, large retailers enable smaller companies to fill large orders and enjoy greater visibility.

What Is Considered a Big-Box Retailer?

Unlike smaller, local businesses, big-box stores profit through high sales volumes rather than high prices. This allows consumers to save money on big-ticket items and purchase goods in bulk. Big-box retailers also typically offer an efficient, no-frills shopping experience. Customers can comfortably browse for hours or get what they need and be on their way.

Examples of top big-box companies include Walmart, Costco, The Home Depot, Target and Best Buy. According to the National Retail Federation, Walmart was the leading retailer of 2023 and made about $635 billion in global sales.

How to Get Your Product in Stores

Getting your product into stores, even big-box stores like Target, is easier than you may think with the right strategy and performance metrics. We go into more detail on this in Chapters 2 and 3, but here are the foundational steps to get your product into stores:

1. Decide if Your Business Metrics Are Suitable

Trying to scale a business too quickly can backfire because your company may not be ready to handle the boom that comes with stocking items in big-box retailers. Consider if your business manufacturing protocols are in order to account for e-commerce sales and in-store sales. Have a strategy in place so you can supply retailers adequately and prove to them that your business is a good contender by showing popularity in sales locally.

2. Research the Store Protocols and Policies 

So, how do you approach a company to sell your product? Establish who is in charge of purchasing decisions at the store and when they will be available to hear your pitch. You should also look into what time of year they typically add new products. If your products are seasonal, you may want to find out when they sort out orders for that period to get in early. 

3. Prepare Your Pitch

Some stores may prefer an in-person pitch from the beginning while others require digital communication prior to face-to-face meetings. You may need to write a sample letter to get your product in stores. Include the unique selling point (USP) for your product line, sell sheet and price points, and explain why you think the item would be a good fit for that store. 

Add on sales strategies like retail displays to showcase how you plan to get shoppers to enjoy engaging with your brand and make purchases. Most importantly, be confident in your product and your company. 

Why Should You Get Your Product Into a Big-Box Store?

Companies who manage to secure a deal with big-box stores can enjoy a range of benefits, such as: 

• Enhanced visibility: Getting your products into big-box stores gives you the spotlight in front of a larger audience. 
• Increased trust: Products available at major retailers may be perceived as being higher quality, helping your target market trust your brand. 
• More impulse buys: Products in retail stores are more accessible and tangible, providing more opportunities for impulsive purchases. 
• Boosted brand awareness: Having a visual presence in big-box stores is an effective way to boost brand awareness among a wider audience range. 
• Higher sales potential: Products stocked in big-box stores garner more attention and open more opportunities for word-of-mouth in local areas. 

How to Identify Which Big-Box Store Is Best for Your Product

Every big-box retailer offers a unique shopping experience and caters to a different demographic. With that in mind, it’s important to get your product into the store that most aligns with your brand values and vision. Find a retailer that will put your branding in the spotlight for an audience that resonates with it. Here are some crucial questions to consider when finding the perfect fit:

• What is the average price point of your products? Does it cater to the luxury market, or is it more aligned with middle-class budgets? 
• Where does your target audience typically shop?
• How many competitors are already in the store? Is there room for your products to stand out?  
• How big is the retailer, and does your business have the manufacturing capacity to meet higher orders? 

What Are the Different Types of Big-Box Retailers? 

Big-box retailers typically share one major benefit — a larger demographic, a generous shopping experience and consistent foot traffic. However, different types of stores offer unique pros and cons depending on which sector your product falls into. Here are the top benefits that various types of big retailers offer: 

Clubs and Warehouses

These big-box stores offer bulk and wholesale deals, catering to audiences looking for the best bulk deals. Shoppers in these stores are thrifty, but they may also be more open to impulse purchases in an effort to save. Products that are necessities or cater to the lower- to middle-class consumer may be the perfect fit for these stores. If your target audience members aren’t regular bargain shoppers, partnering with this kind of store can actually harm your image by associating your products with cheaper alternatives. 

Supermarkets 

These mass retailers include retail giants like Target and Walmart. They offer a wide variety of products, with some lower-end and some higher-end items. Shoppers come to these stores to purchase products from groceries to clothing items. Shoppers tend to stroll through multiple aisles to peruse the options. Companies that make efforts like retail displays to grab shoppers’ attention are likely to encourage impulse purchases. 

Stores like Target and Walmart also hold seasonal deals like summer sales that push customers to make more impulsive purchases. So, you can expect products that fall into these seasonal categories to fly off the shelves with these promotions. 

Specialty Big-Box Retailers

These retailers are ideal for niche products or companies within specific fields only. Some examples include Home Depot and Barnes & Noble. Shoppers typically visit these stores when they’re looking for a specific product or an item that aligns with a certain theme. 

These stores have a welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for looking through new items. Customers in these stores may be more open to trying out new products and spending more time learning about your company’s values. They’re ideal for educational retail displays and custom retail-ready packaging, where customers can learn more about your brand, sustainability efforts and product benefits. 

Give Your Products the Spotlight With Creative Displays Now! 

Retail displays are one of the most effective ways to draw attention to your products and push sales in-store. In big-box stores, there are many aisles filled with different items, so displays can help your products stir visual interest and pull customers in to learn more about your company. At Creative Displays Now, we’ve been in the display and packaging business for decades, and we know what the major retailers need for retail displays to meet their standards. 

Our team of over 60 structural designers can help you create packaging and display solutions that resonate with your target audience and encourage brand engagement. With our retail displays, your products can hold the spotlight in big retail stores and form a lasting positive impression on shoppers. 

At Creative Displays Now, we’re passionate about imaginative, eye-catching displays and helping companies engage consumers. If you’re ready to make your product a household name, keep reading this guide, or contact us today to learn how we can help.

What Will I Learn in This Guide?

If you have a product you’re proud of and can’t wait to share with as many consumers as possible, you might be ready for the major leagues. It’s challenging to get a product into a big-box store, but it’s not impossible. As you might find out, all the hard work can pay off big in the end.

We’ll help you on your big-box journey with tips to make your products shine. This guide will cover topics such as:

• The benefits of selling your products in big-box stores
• How to sell to big-box retailers
• How to introduce a product to Walmart, Target and Whole Foods Market
• How to find the right store for your product
• How to make your products pop with custom displays