Why are tupperware brand products only sold at parties? Couldn't they make more money selling the stuff in stores too?

looney_tunes

You might think that would be the case, but attempts to do so have proved financial failures. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupperware Aug 16 10, 5:36 AM

star_gazer

In 1945, Earl Tupper established Tupper Plastics and tried to market his containers in retail stores. Tupper's products bombed. Consumers feared that plastic material would prove flimsy, and they didn't understand or believe that Tupper's innovative airtight seal would keep foods fresh. But, like any great entrepreneur, Tupper did not allow this intial failure to stop him. He realized that his producted needed to be demonstrated before the public would trust it enough to buy it. Early tests were highly successful. And, in 1951, Tupperware Home Parties was incorporated, and all Tupper products were removed from store shelves. The reality of the Tupperware Party is that the demonstrator/sales person justifies the higher cost of the Tupperware product through the use of marketing such aspects like a "lifetime warrenty". As of 1989, Tupperware has 89,000 independent dealers in the US and 325,000 in 42 countries worldwide. With such a solid sales force base, Tupperware would jeopardize the revenue of its dealers by selling Tupperware products in stores again. http://www.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/tup_party.party Aug 16 10, 11:37 PM