If you have been dreaming about starting your own plus-size clothing line, then now is a good time as any to get started. But is it really as simple as it seems? The answer is both yes and no. While you will need tons of planning and execution strategies to get your dream project off the ground, with the right guidance, it is also possible to find reliable vendors that will provide you long-term logistical support to ensure that your store is always updated with the latest stock.
It goes without saying that the success of your retail store lies in working with vendors who understand the importance of consistency. In this article, we will help you with tips to find one such vendor you can trust.
Start by setting up your business properly
Before you even start looking for a wholesaler, you need to ensure that your business is properly set up and is operating within the terms of compliance. The last thing you want is to run into trouble with the law that may be hard to shake off and cost you dearly in terms of lost business. Therefore, you must ensure that all the steps have been taken flawlessly. So, start with registering your business name with a local agency, obtain all the licenses, meet all your tax obligations, conclude legal paperwork, and follow the right protocol for legitimately acquiring a space for your store.
Understand how wholesalers work
Before you start dealing with the wholesalers, you need to first understand their types and how they work. This will help you find the Best Plus Size Wholesale Vendors for your own store. Since there are varied kinds of wholesalers that cater to all kinds of customers, you may not be able to partner with big ones because your initial quantities may be too low for them to service. Therefore, you need to start looking for small wholesalers who deal in plus-size clothing and cater to small quantities. As your sales increase, you can start transacting with bigger wholesalers and get better prices for your demand for greater volumes.
Start looking for reliable business partners, aka wholesale vendors
Now that your shop is all set up and ready for business, you now need the stock to sell. This is where wholesalers step in.
The first step in your quest should be doing a bit of research in your local area for retailers who deal in plus-size clothing and have quality merchandise. This will give you an idea about what to look for when you are dealing with vendors and what styles are in fashion. You can also ask the store owner for their vendors and suppliers if you have no conflicts of interest. They will be happy to provide you recommendations if you are not in direct competition with them. So, a good practice would be to ask and learn along the way.
Another popular way of finding plus-size wholesalers is to ask the manufacturers. They can point you in the right direction if they are unable to sell you directly.
There is also plenty of information about wholesalers online. You can scour the internet and check out online directories to find information about wholesalers that operate within your community.
Additionally, you can sign-up for trade magazines as well as publications to stay up-to-speed with the latest developments in your industry as well as gain information about clothing wholesalers. There are many wholesalers who use these magazines to place ads about their business.
Start making calls
Now that you have a list of plus-size clothing vendors, it is a good time to call them up and speak to them in person. You should ask them several questions before you decide to go ahead with them. Ask about their minimum order requirement, delivery timelines, samples etc. Speak to at least 3-4 wholesalers to get an idea about the ongoing prices and choose the one with most lucrative unit price to increase your profit margins.
The turnaround time for orders is another thing you must enquire about. A low-cost inventory will serve no purpose if it doesn’t reach you on time.
But most importantly, ask about the return and refund policies for damaged products.
Once you have found the wholesaler you want to do business with, the last step in this process is to conduct thorough due diligence to ensure that you are dealing with a legitimate wholesaler. Check with the local chamber of commerce as well as business regulatory agencies to ensure that they are actual wholesalers and not middlemen. This background check is a necessary step that you must perform before getting into an agreement for a long-term business partnership.
