How to Become a QVC Supplier

Every product entrepreneur dreams of getting their product onto store shelves such as Walmart (WMT -0.1%), Target TGT +1.34% and JC Penney JCP -0.8%. For some entrepreneurs, QVCA (+1.44%) could be just the ticket to success.

TV-and-web shopping company QVC is an undisputed leader in retail. Products are offered via television, an app and online.

Getting Listed on QVC

QVC, the TV- and web-based “shopping community,” is an immensely influential brand, boasting products seen by more than 250 million homes globally. Startups and inventors alike aspire to get listed on QVC; listing there can help launch your company into success more quickly than anywhere else. However, becoming a QVC supplier requires careful preparation – prior to submitting your product for consideration for review it’s crucial that you familiarize yourself with their supplier requirements as well as their application process.

Entry to QVC requires extensive product research and development work. QVC seeks out products that are unique, address a growing need, mass produceable, with an appealing story behind their invention or difference from competitors. If you’re interested in selling your product through them, be prepared to invest time and money into researching market data, creating working prototypes, finding manufacturing partnerships that support your efforts as well as selling at least $30,000-35,000 worth of merchandise at wholesale cost per unit should an offer be accepted.

Once accepted as a supplier, once your product is complete, you must submit it for review by QVC’s merchandising team for consideration. This review process usually takes several weeks and requires providing product details as well as high-resolution images for review by this team. They then make recommendations to buyers regarding whether to feature your product on air. It is advisable to put together an effective business plan and secure funding prior to starting this journey.

Once your product is approved, it’s essential that it meets EDI compliance requirements to streamline order processing and reporting. With this capability in place, all orders placed with QVC should be processed smoothly; then focus on developing an aggressive marketing campaign to drive sales.

Ascolese’s longstanding QVC supplier status allows her to vouch for the effectiveness of an effective marketing strategy. One of her earlier products, called the Perfect Pocket Organizer, generated $6,000 sales within six minutes (equivalent to one QVC segment). According to Ascolese, these and other successful products owe their success to telling a captivating narrative and offering concise copy with benefit-packed benefits.

EDI Requirements

QVC requires its suppliers to meet Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards in order to transmit orders and shipment data efficiently. Compliance is one of the key aspects of becoming a supplier to QVC; choosing an EDI solution quickly can help your business flourish quickly. Getting it right is essential to its success!

To meet QVC’s EDI requirements, you will require a reliable provider that can manage all your transactions efficiently and on time. Selecting the ideal partner can ensure accurate communications are made; in turn, they save time and money by reducing errors and increasing efficiency.

Before selling to QVC, it is necessary to be capable of manufacturing items in large volumes. Sometimes QVC may allow for you to start with just a small inventory in their warehouses; however, as demand for your product increases you should be ready to ramp up production accordingly. Furthermore, be mindful of costs involved with shipping your goods to their warehouse and calculating wholesale cost estimates.

QVC suppliers must be able to sell their product at a profit, taking into account packaging, commissions, shipping and marketing expenses. You should aim to sell at least three times more product than what was paid in raw materials and labor.

Not only must your product comply with EDI compliance, but you must also ensure it satisfies the quality standards set by QVC. Oftentimes, on-air inspection will take place to check product quality; otherwise it could be returned back to its vendor if not up to par.

QVC is a multichannel retailer, meaning they operate both online and through physical stores. Through their buyer channels, QVC can connect you with the right people at the company who will review your application to assess if it is suitable. An inside contact can speed up this process and increase the odds that they accept you as a supplier.

Getting Approved

QVC is an international shopping network known for home and fashion products. Additionally, they provide access to financing opportunities with special financing rates and exclusive promotions through their QCard credit card for people with fair or better credit histories and offer no annual fee and fraud protection services.

Gaining approval for this credit card depends on various factors, including your income, debts and existing credit cards. Your chances of approval can be improved by paying down existing debt and maintaining a good credit score; three active cards should not exceed 3% of total available balance. QVC will review your application prior to making their decision on approval or denial; even if denied this credit card it’s possible you could find one elsewhere.

Synchrony Bank issues the QVC Credit Card, and requires a credit score of at least 640 for approval – meaning most consumers with fair or better credit should qualify. Benefits include special financing offers from QCard special financing, free shipping for most orders and no annual fee.

QVC also offers customers an impressive return policy, which allows customers to return merchandise within 30 days of receipt – perfect for trying on different styles and finding your favorite ones! Customers can save even more by signing up for email updates with exclusive offers and promo codes!

QVC and its parent company, Qurate Retail Group, support charities that empower women and families. Donations are also made to cancer and career-related charities. Partners in Giving allows QVC employees to match employee donations as an amazing way of giving back – in 2021 alone the company donated over $7.5 million through this initiative! In addition, Education Partnerships with Qruate program also gives back significantly.

Marketing

While analysts focus on Walmart and Amazon’s battle for digital sales dominance, QVC has quietly amassed a billion-dollar empire since 1986. Launched as a live shopping broadcast with host personalities that appeal to consumers as trusted friends. Offering 15 channels on cable/satellite TV platforms as well as free over-the-air and streaming platforms makes their reach unmatched.

As you prepare to become a QVC supplier, it’s crucial that you understand its specific requirements. Your product may fit well within one or more product categories of the network; however, success depends on being able to deliver an impressive demo that makes viewers go “WOW!” Loyal QVC shoppers view hosts like friends coming into their living rooms to offer products; therefore it is imperative that demonstrative moments create emotional connections between your products and your target market.

At the initial stages of forming your QVC partnership, it is vital that you work closely with an expert advisor. A vCommerce consultant can guide you through each step to ensure that your product satisfies QVC’s quality standards, meets EDI requirements and can be distributed through their platform.

Once your product has passed the initial review, the next step should be submitting a vendor application. Once done, this application will be evaluated by QVC buyers and you’ll be informed as to its outcome. If your application isn’t chosen this time around, revisions can be submitted or you may explore alternative strategies such as HSN/QVC’s online shopping website and mobile apps as ways of reaching customers with your product or service.

No matter what path you take to become a QVC supplier, keep in mind that their business model relies on high-margin products with four to five times manufacturing costs being sold at retail price. As a result, your financial health profile and cash flow will play a critical role in making decisions regarding whether to become one. Nav’s artificial intelligence assessment platform uses artificial intelligence to evaluate credit worthiness and facilitate funding options.