Ask the Collective

What's the best approach to break into high-end luxury retail venues like Harrods, Selfridges, and Waitrose?

High-end luxury retail gatekeepers are notoriously difficult to reach by email. Members' experience suggests a direct, in-person approach works better: - **In-store visits with samples** — Drop off physical samples at each target location and speak directly with shop managers in person. This is reported as the only tactic that has successfully started conversations for premium products. - **Trade Hospitality** — Members recommend investigating membership or working with trade hospitality networks as a potential route (www.tradehospitality.co.uk). **Caveat:** Expect the process to be slow and difficult; as one member put it, cold outreach to these buyers is exceptionally challenging. Personal persistence and a strong product are essential.