Clothing Suppliers

[teenie_jen]

Hi Everyone,

It's been my desire for some time to open my own shop and now I'm approaching 30 at alarming speed I've decided to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

I have worked in retail for most of my working life so have a good grasp of the customer service side but I was wondering if someone could please point me in the direction of clothing suppliers. I'm not sure where to start looking or if anyone knows of warehouses you can actually visit to view stock?

I think I will probably have to start off online until I can afford the rental on a retail property but I'm really excited to get my teeth into something of my own!

Thanks in advance.

Jenny

 

[MOIC]

Hi Jenny

You mention you have been involved in retail most of your working life.

It would make sense to get involved with similar products that you have been involved with, as presumably you will have first hand knowledge of these products.

Just a thought

For wholesale clothing areas, it depends where you are located.

Good luck with your project.

 

[gr9ce]

Remember the touchy feely situation with clothing and sizing issues. Also be mindful of seasonal issues where a late summer or late winter etc can affect consumer spend.

This year for example few were buying summer clothing in June as it was so cold yet winter clothing was already cleared from the rails.

Selling online ties you into the distance selling regulations where you are prey to change of mind (or carefully wear it for one event then return) 14 days is usual return with the seller refunding the purchase price and cost of sending out the item (not returning unless faulty and providing you state this)

Clothing is open to 'item not as described' especially over sizing where a 14 may be volumous from one supplier and tight from another. The item can also be accidentally damaged on purpose for refund including the cost of return. Unless you actually state you require the goods returned the buyer simply has to make them available to be collected.

Clothing can be bulky and heavy involving a courier then there is the returns issue.

Successful on-line selling of clothing can be where the ranges are also available in B&M and customers use the stores to try on and establish sizing then order if a deal exists online.

B&M as you say is an expensive and risky business but sorry to be gloomy unfortunately the road of retail is lined with may casualties or those barely scraping even.

Following a clear-out of barely worn coats and jackets, many too small I considered selling them online but baulked at the cost of shipping and the fear once tried on they would come back again incurring all my costs and their return costs under the statement 'you said it was a size 12, well i'm a 12 and this is way too big/small/marked/poor quality/excuses....blah'

Someone may work in retail for larger chain and be unaware of the bottom line, the discounts for quantity unavailable to a smaller operation, the clout they have over quality returns etc.

Buy in quantity, with a sizing spread insisted by the supplier, of a style or colour or material that bombs and you may barely get your investment back, or sell out of popular sizes but be stuck with others.

Perhaps continue working for someone else and sell as a sideline with a limited, hopefully popular, range to experience the challenges, if any, before taking the plunge.

 

[Toon]

What kind of clothes are you looking at? There's many different styles and brands!

 

[teenie_jen]

It will predominately be ladies wear from 25-55 and in the mid-price range. I would also like to stock shoes and have already contacted a company I am interested in stocking. If possible I would like to be a petite clothing stockist as I'm only small myself and I find that it's a very unrepresented market especially with the growth of plus sized catalogues etc.

I live in the North West so trying to find someone in this area would be ideal. I am definitely going to sell online while still working but eventually go on my own. It's something I have wanted to do since I was a child - you have to take a risk eventually!

The area I currently work in is not one I would want to continue in the future but previously I worked for a large company selling clothing for the whole family so I have a reasonable idea about what people want.

 

[deniser]

Go to the trade fairs. I'm not familiar with them but Pure and Bread & Butter are two that I have heard of. Google should bring the major shows up. There are separate shoe fairs.

If you are interested more in unbranded clothing of the type that you might find on a market stall, there are wholesalers who are grouped into specific areas where you just turn up and fill your car. I have seen them in London, Leicester and Leeds and suspect you will find them in most big cities with a large Asian community.

You can also approach brands directly eg French Connection always used to have a wholesale operation although I don't know if they still do.

Drapers magazine should have a few helpful pointers too.

You are unlikely to find the right stock if you restrict yourself geographically to the north west. You need to travel to source stock. You cannot buy womenswear online. You have to inspect the samples carefully and prepare to pre-order six months in advance.

To set up you probably need to give yourself at least a year so you can plan to open at the time when the deliveries are made for that season.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I sell in the workwear sector and can confirm clothing is not a friend of the distant selling regs

Your mid market ladies fashion will give you a very large returns rate possibly with dresses screwed up and worn once to a party and then had a zip broken so they can return within allowd time, or orders for twoor three sizes with two returned,

Shoes are problem in sending some will not fit in couriers bags, recieved crushed etc

After all that gloom it can be done but build in far bigger costs to your company over what you would have in a bricks and mortar shop

You may consider the lower end where you buying costs are much lower and customer expectations also lower, a few say £50 dresses returned in poor state, versus £10-20 may be easier on you budjet

 

[teenie_jen]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I'm not just planning on going to suppliers in the Northwest however, if I could find one locally that I could visit to find an idea of prices etc that would be ideal.

Any suggestions?

 

[AlexSVN]

Hi Jenny,

I can offer you a fashion touchscreen gloves. Made in EU. Black for men and pearl for women. They are high quality product. Work on all 5 fingers. No visible conducting threads.
Women gloves match girls' and ladies' casual and business cloths perfectly.

Since giving gifts time is coming fast and person-to-person, business-to-person and B2B.. they all end up with Thank you gift at the end of the year. Endless possibilities. Will you take a chance on gloves?
We are looking for a distributor in the UK.

Send me a PM with your email to send you a full presentation on touchscreen gloves.

Good luck with your business!

Alex

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Hi Everyone,

It's been my desire for some time to open my own shop and now I'm approaching 30 at alarming speed I've decided to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

I have worked in retail for most of my working life so have a good grasp of the customer service side but I was wondering if someone could please point me in the direction of clothing suppliers. I'm not sure where to start looking or if anyone knows of warehouses you can actually visit to view stock?

I think I will probably have to start off online until I can afford the rental on a retail property but I'm really excited to get my teeth into something of my own!

Thanks in advance.

Jenny

Hi Jenny, I have a free PDF list on my blog (in signature) Its over 500 UK & European wholesalers and it includes clothing.

Online isn't a bad way to go to start out if you can't afford the outlay for a shop. There are also suppliers who sell end of lines stk. There was a thread, maybe here of people who do OK by going to Matalan and re-selling with mark up on line.

Good luck

 

[maxyjackson]

Hi Everyone,

It's been my desire for some time to open my own shop and now I'm approaching 30 at alarming speed I've decided to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

I have worked in retail for most of my working life so have a good grasp of the customer service side but I was wondering if someone could please point me in the direction of clothing suppliers. I'm not sure where to start looking or if anyone knows of warehouses you can actually visit to view stock?

I think I will probably have to start off online until I can afford the rental on a retail property but I'm really excited to get my teeth into something of my own!

Thanks in advance.

Jenny

Your post really sounds like little inspiring specially for the beginners as if a beginner used to think like you only,, uhhh,, inspiring apart coming to the point as you depicted that you'd quiet good past of clothing experience and if I'm not wrong then you might have some beautiful contacts with you why don't you try out those just hope for the best,, and hope that this works great or else try out whole sellers near by you
Lastly All the very best

 

[harry hoy]

HI EVERYONE
i am new to this site but i thought lets give it ago see if i can get any help.
this is my plan.
sell clothing online.. mens/womens/childrens/handbags/shoes..thats what i want to sell

i want to be sell cheap affordable unbranded clothing online

problems i am having . items from china are not fashionable. prices dont seem to be cheap enough to sell on only cheap enough to buy for your self . sizes most things say one size or dont have the size i am looking for .

those are the problems im faced with.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR.
EXAMPLE - WOMENS HIGH HEEL SHOES I WANT TO SPEND NO MORE THEN £5 AND SELL THEM FOR ABOUT £10 FOR BASIC DECENT SHOES

EXAMPLE 2 - WOMENS PLAIN BLACK LEGGINGS I WANT TO SELL FOR ABOUT £5

IF ANYONE HAS ANY DECENT WHOLESALE COMPANIES WEBSITES OR CONTACTS THAT WILL ACCEPT PAYPAL AND PREFERABLE FREE SHIPPING.

PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH ME

 

[serpyre]

Realistically, fashion is one of the most dated supply chains everything being word of mouth. You then have large number of fake goods flooding the market (often via marketplaces), with companies such as Zalando having 80% return rates bases on free two-way shipping. Remember that Amazon work on a not-for-profit basis so the issues in mass market are compounded with very low margins, high return rates, and you having to go to the customer with same-day or next-day delivery and zero return cost shipping.

The mass market is tough to compete in, you may want to consider the luxury market. You may find suppliers, but can you find supplier with a validated supply chain willing to sell on-demand, pretty rare.

 

[Kristy72]

Hi teenie_jen,

First of all i would like to know where are you from? And where you want to start you clothing store?

Setup clothing store is not so easy, you need proper knowledge about market trend especially in clothing industry because clothing trend keep changing.

First of all you need to do market research to know the latest trend and accordingly you have to stock different clothing.

 

[MattLongFitnessUK]

Brilliant post. Thank you very much.

Remember the touchy feely situation with clothing and sizing issues. Also be mindful of seasonal issues where a late summer or late winter etc can affect consumer spend.

This year for example few were buying summer clothing in June as it was so cold yet winter clothing was already cleared from the rails.

Selling online ties you into the distance selling regulations where you are prey to change of mind (or carefully wear it for one event then return) 14 days is usual return with the seller refunding the purchase price and cost of sending out the item (not returning unless faulty and providing you state this)

Clothing is open to 'item not as described' especially over sizing where a 14 may be volumous from one supplier and tight from another. The item can also be accidentally damaged on purpose for refund including the cost of return. Unless you actually state you require the goods returned the buyer simply has to make them available to be collected.

Clothing can be bulky and heavy involving a courier then there is the returns issue.

Successful on-line selling of clothing can be where the ranges are also available in B&M and customers use the stores to try on and establish sizing then order if a deal exists online.

B&M as you say is an expensive and risky business but sorry to be gloomy unfortunately the road of retail is lined with may casualties or those barely scraping even.

Following a clear-out of barely worn coats and jackets, many too small I considered selling them online but baulked at the cost of shipping and the fear once tried on they would come back again incurring all my costs and their return costs under the statement 'you said it was a size 12, well i'm a 12 and this is way too big/small/marked/poor quality/excuses....blah'

Someone may work in retail for larger chain and be unaware of the bottom line, the discounts for quantity unavailable to a smaller operation, the clout they have over quality returns etc.

Buy in quantity, with a sizing spread insisted by the supplier, of a style or colour or material that bombs and you may barely get your investment back, or sell out of popular sizes but be stuck with others.

Perhaps continue working for someone else and sell as a sideline with a limited, hopefully popular, range to experience the challenges, if any, before taking the plunge.

 

[k100danny]

I have first hand experience in this business both online and managing high end menswear stores.

It totally depends on what you want to stock brand wise,mid range gives no indication of what you want to stock. brands usually have a show room or an agent, cheaper brands do trade fairs such as pure in london, bread and butter is ok but it's very much a niche market and tends to be mid range brands that are quite over the top and garish or streetwear.

Please bear in mind starting online seems like a great idea BUT, if you want to stock any brand that has any type of reputation I think you will struggle to secure that brands starting out, there are two reasons for this, they want to see your site finished and how items will look as this can affect their brand if it looks awful, second is most brands stop you selling their goods online as you are bound to find the bigger retailers have exclusivity over this, there are several bricks and mortar stores who set up websites thinking they can sell all of their stock online only to have brands pulled from their store.

The next part that will be hard is getting traffic to your store as this isn't about whats on your doorstep anymore, unless you are offering something unique i can tell you now that people will buy from a more established business who can offer free postage, free returns ect.

I don't want to sound negative but i have worked in this industry for over 10 years and I can't tell you how many shops of friends I have seen set up only to fall flat on their face, people think its as easy as saying i want to stock your brand and then buying it, this isn't the case, brands only want shops that they think fit their image and with less than 6-12 months trading you will be lucky to even get someone on the phone to stock any brand with a reputation.

 

[teenie_jen]

Thanks for all your replies. I've only just had an email telling me I had them so I'm a bit behind. Cleverclogs, thanks for the info, I'll check it out

I think this is definitely something I'm going to try although I have perhaps thought of going in a slightly different direction. If no one ever tries the high street really will die.

 

[sailnflycom]

Hi, I am Carlos Dominguez from Sail & Fly, Co. Ltd. Our company is dedicated to provide the best products and services to help your fashion business grow and develop. Check out our service You DESIGN we PRODUCE.
With this service you can:

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• We know how competitive the market is right now, so bringing a good price and quality will be a priority for us.· We can produce for women: T-shirts, shirts, tops, blouse, skirts, dresses, and more...
  
  
• We can produce for man: T-shirts, shirts, pants, jackets and more...
  
  
• Your designs are just YOURS and we will not produce these designs to anyone else.
  

If you want more information just contact us..
sailnflycom team

 

[amac]

It's been my desire for some time to open my own shop and now I'm approaching 30 at alarming speed I've decided to stop thinking about it and start doing i

Congratulations, starting is the hardest part. Finding suppliers is not easy but the Internet is your friend i.e searching for suppliers. I'd also recommend going to trade shows and events, the Internet still hasnt replaced the ability to meet people and make contacts in person.

 

[BeckiiJM]

hi I'm trying to set up a new online clothing store too, I need to find wholesalers in the North West area too. Don't want to import from abroad. Please can people please recommend where to find suppliers/wholesalers

 

[Donna77]

It's easy to get excited about the products, but I would urge you to first plan how you are going to get traffic to your new website. Let's say you need 100 web visitors to get 3 sales - how are you going to get 1000s to your site each week? If you're thinking it will mainly be through social media - read the comments on the SEO forum which discuss the realities. Also consider how difficult it will be for you to rank highly for the products you plan to sell.
Don't underestimate the competition. If you're not answering a need, or in a very clear niche, then you may struggle to attract customers who are currently buying their clothes online with Zara/Debenhams/ASOS/H&M/JohnLewis....
I don't want to put you off because I think you should follow your dream and I absolutely love running my online store. But thorough planning and research will help you avoid costly mistakes. Finding a business mentor to bounce your ideas and go through your financial projections would also be a good idea.
By the way, Moda in Birmingham is next week and it's a huge fashion trade show for industry buyers. There's also one in the summer.
Best of luck.

 

[brandy11112]

Hi Jenny, I have a free PDF list on my blog (in signature) Its over 500 UK & European wholesalers and it includes clothing.

Online isn't a bad way to go to start out if you can't afford the outlay for a shop. There are also suppliers who sell end of lines stk. There was a thread, maybe here of people who do OK by going to Matalan and re-selling with mark up on line.

Good luck

Hi,I didn't find the PDF on your blog ,can you sent email to me?