How to Start a Wholesale Fashion Store
Wholesale fashion stores are profitable businesses. To make your stores successful, you need to develop good relationships with the clothing manufacturer and any store clients you plan to the sell clothing to. Close business relationships will help make your store and business last longer.
- Decide what type of clothing you want to sell. You may want to sell general types of clothing for everyone, or you may want to sell special kinds or sizes such as plus size women's clothing or children's clothing. This will help you decide to purchase the clothing.
- Find a clothing manufacturer that produces the type of clothing you wish to sell in your wholesale store. You can locate manufacturers in the Yellow Pages of your local phone book or online using a search engine such as Google. Buying directly from the manufacturer will allow you to offer wholesale prices to your customers.
- Talk with clothing store owners and ask them whether they would be interested in buying clothing from your wholesale store. Negotiate prices and determine which clothing products the store wants to order. Create an ordering schedule, if possible, to help keep your business organized. Work with as many store owners as possible to maximize your profits. Keep detailed records, and do not take on more than you or the manufacturer can handle. You can open your own storefront and stock the clothing yourself.
- Order clothing from the manufacturer and deliver it to your wholesale clients. Work closely with your clients to determine which items are selling the best. Keep clients informed of new styles when they are available.