Retail, Wholesale & Commercial Development
Helping menswear brands build a clearer route from finished product to market.
Making a strong product and selling it are two different challenges.
We help brands think through how a menswear collection should enter the market — from pricing, positioning and wholesale readiness to showrooms, buyers, retail opportunities and commercial partnerships.
The level of support depends on the stage of the business, from preparing a first collection for market to strengthening the commercial direction of an established brand.
- Wholesale strategy
- Retail positioning
- Commercial review
- Wholesale readiness
- Pricing review
- Margin considerations
- Market positioning
- Buyer presentation
- Sales materials direction
- Lookbook requirements
- Line sheet direction
- Showroom strategy
- Showroom identification
- Retail research
- Buyer research
- Distribution direction
- Market entry thinking
- Commercial partnerships
- Relevant introductions where appropriate
An introduction only has value if the product, positioning and commercial proposition are ready for the conversation.
- ProductIs the collection strong and resolved enough to present?
- PositionIs it clear where the brand belongs in the market?
- PriceDo wholesale and retail prices make commercial sense?
- MarginIs there enough structure in the pricing for the business and retailer?
- PresentationAre the lookbook, line sheet, product information and brand materials ready?
- TargetWhich retailers, showrooms or partners are actually relevant to the proposition?
- Direct to ConsumerSelling directly through the brand's own channels.
- WholesaleSelling the collection to independent retailers, boutiques or department stores.
- ShowroomWorking with an external sales partner to represent the collection to buyers.
- DistributionWorking with a partner responsible for selling or distributing within a specific market.
- Strategic RetailIdentifying selected retail partners that can strengthen both distribution and brand positioning.
The right route depends on the product, price, stage of the business and commercial objective.
More doors are not automatically better. The objective is to identify the accounts and partners that make sense for the brand.
- Customer alignment
- Brand positioning
- Price point
- Product category
- Geography
- Retail environment
- Competitive set
- Volume capability
- Brand-building value
- Commercial potential
- Your first collection is approaching launch and you need to understand how to take it to market.
- You have product but are unsure whether the pricing and wholesale structure are commercially workable.
- You need to identify the types of retailers or showrooms that fit the brand.
- You are preparing to approach buyers and need the collection and presentation reviewed first.
- Your brand has traction but needs a clearer wholesale or distribution strategy.
- You want senior external perspective on a commercial menswear opportunity or market.
Where there is a relevant fit and the brand is ready for the conversation, Design Directive can help connect projects with appropriate people across its wider industry network.
Introductions are considered individually and are not guaranteed as part of every project.
A clearer commercial route for taking the collection to market.
- Wholesale readiness assessment
- Retail positioning
- Pricing and margin considerations
- Target account direction
- Showroom or distribution considerations
- Sales presentation direction
- Commercial priorities
- Relevant next steps
- Introductions where appropriate and agreed
- FoundersUnderstanding how a first collection can realistically enter the market.
- Growing BrandsBuilding a more structured wholesale, retail and distribution approach.
- Established BusinessesProviding external commercial perspective around a category, market, distribution or growth opportunity.
Tell us what you're selling, where the brand is today and what commercial opportunity you're trying to reach.
START A PROJECT