mareketing idea What should I do??

kathy_b_2

I wonder if anyone has an opinion on this?
I've thought of a fantastic marketing idea for a supermarket but I don't know how to go about contacting the right people and protecting my idea.

go4it

Unfortunately you haven't got much chance. Tesco's et al employ very well paid marketting execs to come up with ideas.

can you not use the idea yourself for your own business? Write the idea down, seal it in an envelope and post it to yourself. Keep the envelope safe and this is very basic copyright.

kathy_b_2

I'll do the envelope thing thanks.

Do you think that'll be enough if the corporate might of Tescburys want to nick my idea and maybe tweek it slightly?
No good for my business as it's an instore customer service thing. I'm sure that it'd be a goer because it's got everything - product placement, possible sponsorship from big companies, easier shopping for customers, possible celebrity endorsement etc etc.
Even if their marketing gurus have thought of it and dismissed it I'll never know unless I try

go4it

It's tricky because lets say that they do buy and use your idea, what does that say to the millions they spend on their own marketting gurus? It is likely that they will not give you the time of day.

try Budgens. I hear that all Budgens stores are being sold off and the group will now be run as a franchise. They will need something to put up the fight against Tesco and co. Or maybe try Spar. Tesco make billions and do not need fancy marketing, approach the minnows who may be more inclined to listen to you.

Astaroth

It is very difficult, and expensive, to properly protect an idea and even after all that expense you can find out that someone had a similar idea previously in which case you cant protect it (and obviously you dont get a refund).

An idea alone generally isnt worth a great deal as you have no proof that the idea works and no large company is going to pay anything significant on blind faith that an idea works and without knowing the details... if you give them the details there is little you can do to stop them just using it anyway - whilst you could try to pursue them for losses this is often cost prohibative.