RainKeeper: Artful Travel Accessories and Gifts
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Background of the Company
- The Journey of RainKeeper
- RainKeeper's Product Line
4.1 Travel Capes
4.2 Umbrellas
4.3 Texting Gloves
4.4 Collection of Gifts for the Home and Entertaining
4.5 Artful Products
- Collaboration with Museums and Royalty Agreements
- RainKeeper's Distribution Channels
6.1 Wholesale
6.2 Website and Online Presence
6.3 Amazon
6.4 Fair Marketplace
- Working with Sales Reps and Independent Sales Agencies
- The Benefits and Challenges of B2B Sales
- Diversifying Sales Channels and the Role of Social Media
- Dealing with Supply Chain Issues and Rising Freight Rates
- The Future of RainKeeper
- Conclusion
Introduction
Welcome to this article where we will be diving into the world of RainKeeper, a company that specializes in designing and manufacturing travel accessories, umbrellas, texting gloves, and a collection of beautiful gifts for the home and entertaining. RainKeeper has established itself as a reputable brand in the retail and wholesale space, with a strong focus on collaborating with museums and creating artful products. In this article, we will explore RainKeeper's journey, its product line, distribution channels, the role of sales reps and independent sales agencies, challenges faced in the supply chain, and what the future holds for RainKeeper.
Background of the Company
RainKeeper is a family-owned and operated business founded by Lindsey Hagerman and her mother. Lindsey's mother had a successful bricks-and-mortar gift store in the Philadelphia area, and together they decided to shift their focus to the vendor side of the business when the retail store closed in 2015. Drawing from their retail background, they brought their expertise and eye for product to RainKeeper, catering to the needs of their customers.
The Journey of RainKeeper
With a long history in retail, RainKeeper started its journey by establishing strong relationships with independent retailers across the country and in other countries. They recognized the importance of partnering with stores and working with sales reps who understand the market and the needs of their customers. By attending trade shows and marketplaces, RainKeeper connected with sales reps who knew their customer base well and could recommend their products to the right stores.
RainKeeper's Product Line
RainKeeper's product line consists of various travel accessories, including travel capes, umbrellas, and texting gloves. They have also recently added a collection of beautiful gifts for the home and entertaining. One of the unique aspects of RainKeeper's products is their artful spin, which incorporates famous artworks by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Dega. By bringing these artistic designs to everyday items, RainKeeper aims to provide customers with beautiful and meaningful products.
4.1 Travel Capes
RainKeeper's travel capes offer style and functionality, making them ideal for travelers. The capes are designed to provide protection from the rain while adding a fashionable touch to any outfit. With various designs and patterns, customers can find a travel cape that suits their personal style and preferences.
4.2 Umbrellas
RainKeeper offers a range of umbrellas that are not only practical but also visually appealing. These umbrellas feature beautiful prints inspired by famous artworks, making them truly unique. From compact folding umbrellas to larger, more elaborate designs, RainKeeper provides options to suit different needs and preferences.
4.3 Texting Gloves
In today's digital age, staying connected while keeping warm is essential. RainKeeper offers texting gloves that allow users to use touch screen devices without removing their gloves. These gloves combine functionality with style, making them a popular choice for tech-savvy customers.
4.4 Collection of Gifts for the Home and Entertaining
RainKeeper has expanded its product line to include a collection of gifts for the home and entertaining. This collection includes wine totes, tea towels, and LED candles, all featuring artful designs that add a touch of elegance to any home. These products make for thoughtful and unique gifts for loved ones or special occasions.
4.5 Artful Products
One of the unique aspects of RainKeeper is its collaboration with museums and the incorporation of famous artworks into its products. By working with museums and obtaining necessary licenses, RainKeeper is able to bring artful designs to its customers. From products featuring Van Gogh's "Starry Night" to Tiffany stained glass designs, RainKeeper offers a range of products that celebrate the beauty of art.
Collaboration with Museums and Royalty Agreements
RainKeeper has established strong relationships with museums and often collaborates with them for product development. Museums approach RainKeeper with specific exhibition themes or artworks and request the creation of products that support these themes. RainKeeper pays a royalty to the museums for the products sold under these agreements. This collaboration allows RainKeeper to offer unique products that appeal to art enthusiasts and museum visitors.
RainKeeper's Distribution Channels
RainKeeper utilizes various distribution channels to reach its customers, including wholesale, its own website, Amazon, and the Fair marketplace. By leveraging these channels, RainKeeper ensures that its products are available to a wide range of customers.
6.1 Wholesale
Wholesale is a significant part of RainKeeper's business model. They sell their products to hundreds of independent retailers across the country and in other countries. By partnering with retailers, RainKeeper expands its reach and offers its products to a broader customer base. They work with independent sales reps and agencies to connect with the right retailers and ensure a successful distribution strategy.
6.2 Website and Online Presence
RainKeeper has its own website where customers can explore its product offerings, learn more about the company, and make purchases. A strong online presence is crucial in today's digital age, and RainKeeper recognizes the importance of maintaining a web presence to reach customers who prefer to shop online.
6.3 Amazon
As a popular online marketplace, Amazon plays a significant role in RainKeeper's distribution strategy. While RainKeeper has found that some of its products are not well-suited for the Amazon marketplace, they still maintain a presence on Amazon to cater to customers who prefer to shop on the platform. RainKeeper continually adapts its approach on Amazon to ensure it aligns with the dynamics of the platform.
6.4 Fair Marketplace
RainKeeper also utilizes the Fair marketplace, a platform that connects retailers with brands. Fair allows small brands to showcase their products and reach retailers who are looking for unique offerings. RainKeeper has found success on the Fair marketplace, as it provides an opportunity to connect directly with retailers and expand its product distribution.
Working with Sales Reps and Independent Sales Agencies
Sales reps and independent sales agencies play a crucial role in RainKeeper's business model. RainKeeper works closely with independent sales reps who have established relationships with retailers in specific territories. These sales reps have an in-depth understanding of their customers' needs and preferences, allowing RainKeeper to align its product offerings with the retailers' requirements. By collaborating with sales reps, RainKeeper builds trust and credibility with stores, leading to successful partnerships.
The Benefits and Challenges of B2B Sales
RainKeeper's main focus is on B2B sales, primarily targeting independent retailers, gift stores, museum stores, and apparel boutiques. While B2B sales offer unique advantages, such as building long-term relationships with retailers and reaching a broader customer base, they also come with challenges. RainKeeper must navigate factors like margins and markups to ensure profitability for both the brand and the retailers. Additionally, maintaining a steady supply chain and managing inventory are essential for successful B2B sales.
Diversifying Sales Channels and the Role of Social Media
While RainKeeper is primarily focused on wholesale and its own website, the company recognizes the importance of diversifying its sales channels. They have explored marketplaces like Fair and Amazon to reach a wider customer base. Social media is an avenue where RainKeeper sees potential for growth and engagement. While they have not yet fully utilized social media platforms, they are considering platforms like Pinterest to showcase their products and connect with customers who appreciate artful designs.
Dealing with Supply Chain Issues and Rising Freight Rates
Like many businesses, RainKeeper has faced challenges due to supply chain disruptions and rising freight rates. To mitigate these challenges, they made strategic decisions regarding their inventory and explored different shipping options. By opting for faster shipping methods, even at higher costs, RainKeeper ensured that they had products available to sell. They have also made price adjustments to account for increased freight rates, carefully balancing their margins while remaining competitive in the market.
The Future of RainKeeper
Looking ahead, RainKeeper plans to continue expanding its product line, focusing on adding more fine art designs and stationary items. They will listen to their customers' feedback and collaborate with museums to develop new product offerings. RainKeeper also intends to strengthen its online presence and explore avenues like social media to reach a wider audience. By staying adaptable and responsive to market trends, RainKeeper aims to continue its growth trajectory and provide customers with unique and artful products.
Conclusion
RainKeeper has successfully established itself as a reputable brand in the retail and wholesale space, offering a range of travel accessories, umbrellas, texting gloves, and artful gifts for the home and entertaining. By collaborating with museums and leveraging strong relationships with sales reps and independent sales agencies, RainKeeper has expanded its distribution channels and reached a wide customer base. Despite challenges in the global supply chain, RainKeeper remains resilient and adaptable, continuously seeking opportunities for growth and innovation in the ever-changing business landscape. With a focus on customer satisfaction and product excellence, RainKeeper aims to continue scaling its business and making a meaningful impact in the market.
