Bulk buying clothing is done for numerous reasons… Some buy clothing in bulk for personal reasons but most utilise bulk buying for business purposes. But, if you’re interested in knowing more about wholesale purchasing and bulk buying clothing, you’ll need to understand what it entails and the differences between bulk buying and wholesale.
Well, if this sounds like you, you’re in the right place. In this article, we explore these very differences and offer tips on the logistics of buying wholesale clothing in bulk.
The difference between bulk buying and wholesale
Before we properly dig into our tips for bulk buying clothing, we need to get a few things straight: let’s properly explain the difference between bulk buying and wholesale.
Bulk buying
Bulk buying is when a person or company buys a product in large quantities from a shop or supplier. The major benefit of buying in bulk is that it frequently enables a lowered price per unit since businesses may charge less for greater volumes.
Bulk purchases are frequently made by customers who wish to stock up on necessities or by companies who require a significant amount of a certain product for their operations. For example, a hotel stocking up on soap. Or, a bar buying a lot of glassware.
Wholesale
In the case of wholesale, wholesalers serve as a middleman between producers or suppliers and retailers. They pay manufacturers less money upfront when they buy items in bulk and then resell them to retailers for more money.
To generate a profit, retailers, in turn, sell these goods to customers at a higher price. The wholesale market is an essential link in the supply chain because it gives merchants access to a variety of goods at reasonable rates.
Make sure you’re bulk buying clothing legitimately
When it comes to bulk buying wholesale clothing, it's essential to ensure that you're dealing with legitimate sources to protect yourself and your business. Legitimate wholesalers will always be able to provide you with the necessary documentation, such as a business licence or tax identification number.
These documents verify their authenticity and ensure that they are operating legally. If you’re unsure a business is legitimate, confirm they have the correct documentation before making a purchase.
Understand where your provider is based
If you’re wholesale shopping online, check out the Wholesaler’s About Us section of their site. They should be able to provide you with enough information to ease any concerns you may have had. Trust companies that have been around a while and are transparent about their locations.
Tips for buying clothing in bulk to resell
So, you’re buying clothing from a wholesaler to resell and make a profit? Excellent. Let us give you some advice before you begin your new venture. Although ‘bulk buying’ and ‘wholesale’ can be seen as different things, as we have discussed, a lot of people will use the term ‘bulk buying’ when they actually mean buying wholesale.
Let’s get into some vital things to consider when reselling clothing from a wholesaler:
Compare prices
Wholesale prices are typically lower than retail prices, but they still need to be reasonable. Be cautious if the prices seem too good to be true, as it could indicate counterfeit or low-quality products. Wholesalers will often offer discounts based on the quantity purchased, but excessively steep discounts should be approached with caution.
Define your target audience
Consider factors such as age, style preferences, and budget. This will guide your choices and ensure that you're buying clothing that will appeal to your customers.
Market your product
Create marketing plans to advertise your clothing. To create buzz and boost sales, use social media channels and communicate with your target demographic.
Visit trade events
As well as checking wholesale websites, get out there and meet wholesalers face-to-face. Attending trade shows is a great opportunity to see the clothing in person and speak to the suppliers. We previously exhibited at Pure London and will be again in February 2024. Why not come say hello?
Cater for diversity
Although you may want a targeted market, allowing for diverse sizing will mean you aren’t shutting anyone out – who could be a potential customer. Make sure that you have a good mix of sizes, including plus sizes, this will accommodate different body types and promote inclusivity.
Let’s summarise…
Ok – if you’re like many and scrolled to the bottom of this article to find a run-down of what we discussed, let’s list a short summary for those keen to get started in their wholesale journey!
- Bulk buying is when a person or company buys a large quantity of products from a supplier.
- Shopping wholesale is when a business pays manufacturers money upfront when they buy items in bulk and then resell them to retailers for more money to create a profit.
- Always make sure you’re buying wholesale clothing from a legitimate supplier.
- Compare prices when shopping for stock.
- Get to know your stockist.
- Learn about marketing your products.
We have lots more interesting articles, all offering excellent tips for running your own clothing online store or in-person boutique. Discover Tips For Starting An Online Boutique today. And, if you’re new to owning your clothing boutique, you may want to know more about relabelling wholesale clothing. Here, we answer the question, Can I Put My Own Label In Wholesale Clothing?
If you have any questions surrounding buying in bulk or wholesale - just get in touch. Our helpful team are happy to help.
Shop online wholesale clothing with Nova of London
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If you’re a business owner looking to expand your knowledge, we recommend reading our Wholesale Clothing Blog for tips and advice on running your clothing business.
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