Setting Prices - Wholesale, Retail & Craft Show Pricing

Pricing your products as a small craft business owner can be a tricky task. You want to make sure you're not overcharging customers, but you also need to ensure that you're making a profit. So, how can you find the sweet spot when it comes to pricing your products? Here are some tips to help you out.

Wholesale Product Prices

If you plan to grow your craft business by selling your products through retail stores, determining the appropriate wholesale prices is crucial. Typically, wholesale prices are double the cost of your materials and expenses. While this may seem to favor store owners, you must consider the additional expenses associated with running a retail store, such as overhead costs, marketing programs, and loss prevention measures. By setting a fair wholesale price that benefits both you and the retailer, all parties involved can sustain business growth.

To ensure that you remain profitable, carefully review your production costs, overhead expenses, and any other related costs when determining your wholesale prices. Once you have a clear understanding of your expenses, you can establish a fair and reasonable wholesale price that meets your business needs and benefits the retailer.

It's important to note that most wholesale accounts will require a significant initial order, such as $750, with subsequent re-stock orders around $250. Remember that wholesale prices are not meant for direct consumer sales and should only be offered to businesses stocking your products in their stores. By establishing strong relationships with retailers through fair and reasonable wholesale prices, you can expand your craft business's reach and increase sales.

Retail Product Prices

When setting the retail price for your product, it's essential to conduct thorough market research to ensure that your pricing is competitive. Investigate similar products in your market and analyze their pricing strategies. Knowing your competitors' prices will enable you to set a fair and reasonable price that ensures that you remain competitive in the market.

Keep in mind that several factors influence the retail price, including production costs, overhead expenses, marketing expenses, and taxes. All these expenses must be factored into your pricing strategy to ensure that you earn a reasonable profit while offering a fair price to your customers.

Additionally, consider the perceived value of your product when setting the retail price. Factors such as the quality of your product, its unique features, and the overall brand image can influence its perceived value. If you've established a reputation for producing high-quality products, you can set your prices slightly higher than your competitors. However, if you're new to the market, you may need to set your prices slightly lower to attract customers.

Craft Show Product Prices

Selling your products at wholesale prices during a craft show may seem like a tempting option, but it can be a mistake that harms your business in the long run. Local store owners who regularly find new products at a craft shows will what a price that is half of your advertised price.  If you are selling wholesale at a craft show, you won't have enough profit margin to entertain wholesale prices.  

To avoid this situation, it's best to advertise your products at retail prices during craft shows and offer limited time only show discounts instead. This way, customers can enjoy a price reduction, earn a reasonable profit, and recruit wholesale accounts. When deciding on the craft show discount amount, consider offering a discount of around 10% to 25% off the regular retail price or buy x and get y free. This discount should be attractive enough to encourage customers to purchase your products, but not so steep that it negatively impacts your profit margins.

It's essential to remember that product pricing can vary based on various factors, such as market trends, competition, and seasonal demands. It's important to regularly review your prices and adjust them accordingly to ensure that you remain competitive in the market while still earning a profit.

In conclusion, pricing your handmade craft products can be a challenging task, but it is a crucial factor in sustaining your business. Remember, pricing your handmade products fairly benefits both you and your customers and can help you grow your craft business.