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The clothing business is the right choice to step into the entrepreneur to earn a passive income. To start the clothing business, you will need inventory. There are plenty of ways to get the inventory for your clothing business. One of the best ways is the clothing vendor. Clothing vendor purchases the clothes from manufacturers in bulk and sells them to retailers at wholesale prices. The clothing vendor ensures the smooth transition of supplies. It helps to expand your business with a variety of items you can purchase at a wholesale rate.

The real challenge is to find a suitable clothing vendor for your business.

There are many clothing vendors. Not all of them will be appropriate for your business.

Points to remember before searching the wholesale vendors

You might intimidate to trust your research and instincts to find wholesale clothing vendors. By using the research tips listed below, you can find the best clothing supplier for your company.

Choose the source

The important step in your search is to choose between a manufacturer and a supplier. A manufacturer is a person or company who makes the desired products. A supplier is someone who gets the desired product from the manufacturer in bulk and sells it to the retail market.

You can buy clothes from the manufacturer at the minimum rates. It will cost you a great effort to find the right one. It has its cons which include buying bulk items. The manufacturers prefer an upfront investment.

You won’t have to be concerned about the up-front cost if you purchase clothing from a supplier. You can buy as many clothes as you want. The majority of the suppliers do not require you to make a bulk purchase. The supplier saves time in restocking the inventory.

Identify the niche market to find clothing vendor

Which target market do you want to start your business with? Do you want to introduce the clothing line of men’s, women’s or kids? What kind of clothing do want to specialize formal or casual?

These questions can set a base for finding a clothing vendor. At the start of your business, you cannot target all of the above target markets. Identifying a specific niche is necessary to get your business off the ground.

The knowledge of the niche will shape your research to find a suitable wholesale vendor for your business.

Prices

What price the vendor is offering for wholesale clothes? How much the vendor can negotiate in prices? The prices are subject to vary. The vendor who offers you the best minimum prices will be the one you prefer to purchase from. Your search for a wholesale supplier will go more smoothly if you keep the pricing perspective in mind.

Location

You can specify the search by the location of a clothing vendor. It would not be wise to choose an overseas vendor. Based on the location, you can narrow down the search of the wholesale vendor.

Shipping time

The smooth operation of your business will be ensured by selecting a vendor who will provide a quick turnaround. You can narrow down your research based on the shipping time of the vendor. Nowadays, you can receive your shipment in 2 to 3 working days. Maximum of five working days in some circumstances. You may find vendors offering minimum wholesale prices and not a quick turnaround. Do not think of them as a good choice for you.

Delay in shipping time will cost you to lose loyal customers and refunds order.

Policies

You cannot overlook the policy of a vendor in your research. Look out what kind of return and exchange policy the vendor is providing. Some vendors are strict in their return and exchange policy. They do not support the return of the product. They might support the exchange. You cannot miss the minimum order policy of the vendors. Not all the vendors support a no-minimum order policy.

You must look for a vendor which provides the policies that best suit your business.

Reviews

The best way to find the vendors’ authenticity is to read online reviews. You can search on Google for reviews. People share their experiences by leaving a review on the vendor’s website. If the vendors do not have an online presence, you can ask the people about their experience.

How do I find a wholesale clothing vendor to start my business?

As a beginner, it is a legit question to ponder over. You would not like to spend your money on a resource which will be futile. The points mentioned above will assist you in choosing the right wholesale clothing supplier for your business. With this knowledge, you can set up the basic framework for your search for authentic clothing vendors.

To help you find the clothing vendors, below are the recommended sources to start your search.

Industry Trends for the distribution channel

In the clothing business, you do not get inventory directly from the manufacturer. The process of providing the inventory carries out in plenty of ways. It is wise to have an idea about the industry trends for the distribution channel. This way you will know which channel you will prefer for your clothing business.

The distribution channel narrows down the search for finding competent clothing vendors as well.

There are four industry trends for the distribution channel.

Manufacturer

If you want to buy without middleman intervention, this channel might be your best option. You can buy inventory from small-scale manufacturers. It may be based on a single individual.

Exclusive Distributor

This distribution channel is based on importing the products and distributing them to the local retailers. The distributor sometimes sells to the local wholesalers as well. These wholesalers sell to other retail markets.

Regional Distributors

These are the wholesaler who gets products in crates or box-car-sized lots. They sell them to the local wholesalers. These local wholesalers sell the products to the local retailers.

Jobbers

This distribution channel is based on the individuals. These individuals buy wholesale clothes from importers, mills or apparel manufacturers. They sell their fabrics at wholesale prices. They prefer to sell in small quantities to retail clothing stores.

Some jobbers provide delivery services. They deliver the wholesale lot to local retailers.

Connect with a wholesale vendor through listings or directories

You can connect with the wholesale vendors through listings and directories. You can get the lists of competent clothing vendors from manufacturers. The list of clothing vendors manufacturer’s provide will be credible. They will only share the authentic clothing vendors.

If you cannot get lists from the manufacturers, you can use online directories. Online directories are a good source to extract information about clothing vendors. The recommended online directories are given below;

Yelp

Yelp is a trusted and one-stop local platform to provide a listing. It includes reviews and images in the listing. It makes possible to schedule an appointment, request a quote, and make a purchase. You can find the lists of local clothing vendors. Yelp features minimal details of the clothing vendor from its location and closing time to rating and reviews.

Through listing and directories, you can contact the clothing vendors and inquire about;

Minimum order requisite
Cost of wholesale units
Shipment policy
Return and exchange policy

Use search engine

You can find the clothing vendors by using a search engine like Google. Through proper keywords that target your niche, you can specify your search which will yield the desired result. You can search for vendors based on proximity.

Use WHOIS for contact information

Through research, you will get the vendor’s contact information for the queries. You can use WHOIS if you do not find the contact information of your potential clothing vendor. WHOIS search extracts the vendor’s information by inserting the domain name or IP number.

Keep in mind that

Not all vendors update their websites regularly. You’ll probably need to scroll through a number of pages to discover any pertinent results. Ultimately, you will find the right legitimate clothing vendor as a suitable partner for your business.

B2B marketplaces

You can find clothing vendors on B2B marketplaces. Such kinds of marketplaces are based on a large community. These marketplaces provide the leverage of inspecting, comparing and researching the product on the same website. This enables the buyer to make a quick decision.

You will find many such marketplaces which will provide the bulk items at wholesale. Here is the list of such B2B marketplaces.

Each clothing business will have access to a variety of opportunities on these platforms, which aid in building a stronger reputation. The best B2B marketplace will help to expand your clothing business.

Join professional networks, forums or groups

You can seek the aid of professional networks like LinkedIn to dig out information about clothing vendors.

LinkedIn is a popular networking app which is solely used for business purposes. You can find suitable connections that will lead you to a competent vendor. You can join the small business networking groups and subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated.

Online Forums

Online fashion forums are the industry information source. You can participate in the discussion and extract the information regarding your specific niche market. Such forums ensure to get help from experienced people in the industry. Some online forums are given below;

Facebook Groups

Facebook is a social media source to vet the clothing vendor. There are a lot of such groups through which you can dig out the information.

On Facebook, there are countless groups full of business people who would like to help you with their experience and business insights.

The recommended Facebook groups are Shopify Entrepreneurs and Kingpinning.

Find wholesale lots on eBay and Alibaba

eBay

eBay is the USA-based C2C and B2C marketplace. It provides low-volume wholesale lots. For starting a new venture, it might be a considerable option for you. At the start, you will not prefer to purchase clothes in bulk. You will prefer to start with low-volume lots.

Alibaba

Alibaba is a China-based wholesale marketplace. It is one of the largest B2B marketplaces. It provides an opportunity for the manufacturer to sell their products in bulk at wholesale prices. You can earn a good profit margin by purchasing from Alibaba. This marketplace is a good opportunity for buying wholesale lots in bulk for the clothing inventory.

Magazine and Newsletter subscription

Magazines like Trade magazines are an easy source to extract information about wholesale vendors. The advertisers of trade magazines are the manufacturers and distributors. The names of dozens of wholesalers or small manufacturers can be found in a single publication of a trade magazine.

If you subscribe to such magazines, there is a possibility of finding a perfect clothing vendor for your business.

Newsletters are free sources to stay updated about industry news. Subscribe to such a newsletter which will provide insight into the fashion industry and clothing vendors.

Fashion trade shows and events

Fashion trade shows and events provide a great opportunity to interact with manufacturers or distributors. The primary purpose is to provide a good window for manufacturers or distributors to showcase their products. You can yield this opportunity to establish a long-term relationship with a competent clothing vendor or manufacturer.

You get the opportunity to meet a lot of manufacturers or suppliers under a single roof. It is a better option for your business. The in-person interactions prevent misunderstandings and communication issues. You may face communication issues in online interaction.

From where to get information about trade shows?

You can get information about trade shows through Trade Show News Network. It is the largest online directory for trade shows. If you want to know more about the trade shows, click here.

Related article: Where To Buy Clothes To Start a Boutique

Some side tips to find the clothing vendor

Research

Research is a crucial part. Do not hesitate to put your effort into research.

Ask questions

Do not be shy in asking questions to the vendors if you find one. Ask about all of the minimal details. The minimal details include shipment dates, unit costs, liability insurance, policies, and negotiations.

Negotiation

Remember, prices, minimum order quantities, and delivery schedules are flexible. Look for the techniques for the negotiation. Only this way, getting a better deal will save you money and increase the value of your investment.

Customer Reference

You can ask for customer references from the clothing vendor. Such references will help you feel more confident in the vendor’s veracity.

How to start a clothing business by buying wholesale

Starting a clothing business by buying wholesale might be challenging for you if you do not have proper guidelines. From the above-mentioned sources, you can buy inventory at wholesale rates. The next big challenge for you is to start your clothing business.

You will be right to wonder about, how to start a clothing business by buying wholesale. The recommended solution to your quest to start a clothing business is given steps.

1. Business Plan

Craft a business plan that highlights the following

The target market
Startup cost
Operating costs
Pricing strategy
Profit margin
Name of the clothing business

2. Legalise Business

Legalise your clothing business for the smooth operation and success of your business. You can legalise your business by choosing one of the given business entities;

3. Tax Setup

Setup your clothing business for taxes which include state and federal taxes. You will need to get EIN to track the business finances.

4. Business Bank Account

Create a business bank account for the smooth transition of business finances.

5. Business Funding

Explore the funding opportunities for your business. The notable funding ways are given below

Business credit cards
Vendor credit line
Microloans
Personal business loan
Crowdfunding
Funding from family and friends

6. Accounting and Invoicing Setup

Set up accounting and invoicing to not miss a single piece of information about your clothing business. Use software like Quickbooks to keep tabs on your finances and maintain accurate invoicing.

7. Business Insurance

Get business insurance for assisting to defray the costs associated with liability and property damage claims.

There are many types of business insurance policies available, so it is important to speak with an insurance agent to determine which type of coverage is right for your business.

some common types of business insurance include:

Get a Free Quote Here

8. Permits & Licenses

Attain necessary permits and licenses for the business according to your local area. The permits and licenses vary with location.

9. Online Presence

Create an online presence for your clothing business to expand its reach. The website gives credibility to the clothing business. You can create a website using a Bluehost domain. It is recommended for its remarkable features. You can create a YouTube channel and get online reviews.

10. Marketing strategy

Employ a useful marketing strategy to expand your clothing business. The recommended marketing ways are given below;

Paid Advertisement
Social media handles
Business flyers
Business cards
Customize shopping bags and tags with your brand name and logo
Billboards installation at various places

11. Learn about Clothing Business and Local Competiton

Learn about your clothing business and the local competition to get your business off the ground. Find out the industry trends for your clothing business. The knowledge of local competition will help you to shape your business plan.

12. Get Leads & Calls

Gets leads and calls for your clothing business through business cards, flyers, networks and word-of-mouth referrals. It will ensure to get some loyal customers and earn a potential profit.

Tips to follow for the success of your business;

Never lose focus and always stay on top of your business
Grab your customer’s attention by specifying your niche market
Learn to trust and network with other businesses for the business growth
Be consistent and patient with your effort to start your new venture

Related article: How to Start a Clothing Boutique Business?

Top 10 Distributors of Wholesale Clothing USA No Minimum Order

Tyche

Tyche features contemporary young women’s clothing at an affordable wholesale rate.

It provides hand-selected fabrics, vibrant color schemes, and eye-catching print patterns which ensure to grab customer’s attention. The products, Tyche provides, include top bottoms, jumpsuits, rompers and outerwear.

You can register on Tyche’s website to see the wholesale rates.

Bloom Wholesale

Bloom wholesale provides a wide range of inventory featuring women’s clothing. Tops and dresses of all sizes are the clothing products that this supplier provides. On the weekly basis, they update their stock to provide their customers with trendy clothes.

What makes it a good choice is along with no minimum order, it gives a refund policy as well. You can get a refund on a damaged item within 3 days.

New Yorker’s Apparel

New Yorker’s Apparel features an extensive range of women’s clothing which includes blazers, bottoms, jumpsuits & rompers, must-haves for special occasions and work attires. They offer no minimum order, and fast global shipping, Currently, they are 10% off as well. Register on their website. You get can further information regarding wholesale prices and bulk supply of trendy clothes.

Vanilla Monkey

Vanilla Monkey features women’s classic clothing which includes dresses, outerwear, bottoms, plus-sizes, denim collection, maternity and other accessories. This wholesale marketplace provides an extensive range of clothing and all the necessary accessories which makes it a one-stop marketplace. They provide no minimum order. Ensures efficient and fast time processing for quick turnaround.

Paperdoll Wholesale

Paperdoll wholesale features women’s clothing and accessories. This wholesale marketplace offers the trendiest and newest clothing for wholesale bulk purchase.

Tasha Apparel

Tasha Apparel offers women’s and girls’ clothing. It is one of the reliable wholesale clothing vendors to purchase high-quality products at wholesale prices. This marketplace features dresses, bottoms, outerwear and other accessories.

The reason Tasha Apparel has such a stellar reputation is that they provide high-quality goods and fantastic clothing designs.

Hailey & Co

Hailey & Co features upscale contemporary wholesale women’s clothing. They offer a range of comfortable loungewear, chic and stylish dresses that uplift appearance. Their clothing line provides tops, dresses, rompers & jumpsuits, bottoms, outerwear and plus-size clothing.

CC Wholesale Clothing

CC Wholesale Clothing features men’s women’s, kids and baby’s clothing. They offer a wide range of clothes at wholesale prices. You can get 10% and free shipping on the order above $300. Nowhere else will you discover a better offer.

Andrée by Unit

Andrée by Unit offers stylish and high-quality women’s clothing. They feature casual, sporty, formal and elegant clothes. You can get trendy clothes at wholesale prices.

Lush Clothing

Lush clothing features seasonal style women’s clothing. Provide the amazing silhouettes, colors and textures in comfortable and trendy clothes for your clothing business at reasonable wholesale prices.