How to Become a Wholesale Footwear Distributer
By becoming a wholesale footwear distributor you are reselling footwear you purchased from a supplier to footwear retailers. When you buy these products wholesale you are purchasing them at their actual cost and then reselling these products at your own price to prospective buyers.
- Obtain a tax ID from the federal office of the Internal Revenue Service. It is possible to apply for this tax ID online or you could contact them directly for the required paperwork. Without this tax ID you are unable to pay your federal taxes and operating as a wholesale distributor in this fashion is illegal.
- Obtain a business license from your local licensing board. This licensing board is generally located within the county courthouse or within close proximity of this courthouse. You could obtain an application by calling to licensing board and requesting this application or by visiting their office directly. Realize that you are required to pay a fee and/or other costs when you submit this application and other required documentation.
- Apply for both a wholesaler's and resale license from the Internal Revenue Service office located within your state of residence. If this office is located near you consider obtaining this application and other required paperwork by visiting this office. If not they will mail this paperwork and instructions upon request.
- Search MerchantCircle for wholesale footwear suppliers near you. Type "wholesale footwear suppliers" into the search box to the far left of your screen and then type your city and state into the search box at the far right after "IN." Hit ENTER. Browse through the search results to determine from which wholesale footwear supplier you wish to order your products.
- Place orders to build your inventory. Contact the wholesale footwear suppliers of your choice and place orders for items that have the best sales history.
- Negotiate contracts with potential buyers including local shoe stores. Schedule meetings with potential buyers to introduce them to you as a distributor and show them the products you have available.