Buying Wholesale, Selling Retail: Tips For Clothing Stores

At its most basic, buying apparel at wholesale prices and then reselling at retail prices seems like a very simple way to turn a profit. In practice, it’s a bit more complicated, as far too many new store owners find out. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, it’s just that many people aren’t prepared for the challenge. These tips and tricks will help you prepare yourself to make money selling wholesale apparel.

Focus Your Inventory

You can’t sell everything, and it’s not a good idea to even try when you’re just starting out. Yes, there are obviously retailers that do sell just about everything—Walmart, Amazon, etc.—but those giants are well established. When you first start out, you’re going to have to convince customers that you know your product lines. If your inventory is too diverse it will weaken this impression. So, if you’re interested in selling clothing, you’ll want to choose a certain type of clothing. While you could choose a demographic to shoot for (mature women, teen girls, etc.) that can be limiting. It’s also a bit difficult for a new retailer because you’ll have to stay caught up on trends, which can change in the blink of an eye.

A better option is a niche that’s both focused and flexible. Athletic apparel is a great choice for this, because everyone, young and old, male and female, wears athletic gear. That’s because it’s not just for sports—there are plenty of clothes that are classified as being athletic gear which make great loungewear, pajamas, and casual wear. Sweat pants, hoodies, and basketball shorts, for example, are all items of clothing that anyone might purchase due to their versatility. Yet you’ll still have the advantage of keeping your inventory focused on one type of clothing.

Choose a Good Supplier

You’ll find that there are plenty of options for suppliers out there. There are some things you should keep in mind when choosing your wholesale source:

• Quality

The most important thing. It doesn’t matter how inexpensive a product is, if it’s junk, it’s not worth what you spent for it. You absolutely must know that the seller provides quality products before you commit.

• Shipping Prices

It’s easy to get wowed by the low cost of products made overseas, but don’t forget to include shipping costs in your estimates. You may find that the cheaper products are actually closer to home, because they’re not as expensive to transport.

• Shipping Times

This is vital. Some manufacturers don’t even get the lines moving until you order, which means you have to wait while the products are made and then wait while they ship. Get realistic shipping time estimates from your seller. That way, if you need wholesale athletic shorts for your spring inventory, you know how far out you’ll have to order. It’s also good to have at least one manufacturer with a very short shipping time on your list, too, just in case you get into a bind and need quick filler.