Tips For Finding A Clothing Wholesale Distributor On The Market

As a small business owner in the clothing industry, what do you have in mind on tips for finding a clothing wholesale distributor on the market?

Being a retailer in the clothing industry means you will need to work with other links in the supply chain. One of the most important positions is the wholesale distributor, but what do they do exactly?

A wholesaler purchases goods from a manufacturer and sells them to other retailers. The wholesaler does not run a physical store as they supply your small business with inventory sold to customers.

Whether you operate a brick-and-mortar store or an e-commerce business, a wholesale distributor will always play an essential role of a middleman connecting manufacturers and multiple store owners.

How To Find The Right Wholesale Supplier For Your Small Business?

A small business owner can work with one or several wholesalers at the same time. As finding the right wholesale supplier is tricky, it is best to rely on these criteria to determine a helpful distributor who:

• Connects your small business with related manufacturers and products;
• Offers affordable pricing;
• Runs services based in your geographic area;
• Is honest, reliable, and easy to communicate.

Before finding a wholesaler to work with, you need to know the type of products you are selling. Once you are fully aware of your niche, it is high time to look for the right company for your business supply.

1. Study Available Distribution Channels of Your Industry

Since not all wholesalers work in the same market, you will need to understand which distribution channel and supply chain is the best choice in your industry to find the right supplier for your business.

A product can go from a manufacturer to the hand of a retailer in various ways, but there are 4 popular types of wholesale distribution:

• • Manufacturer: You can get certain products directly from the manufacturer to reduce irrelevant costs. For example, boutique shops would usually purchase from other small manufacturers. 

• Importer/Exclusive Distributor: A company may own the right of product importation and distribution in a particular country. Some sell products directly to retailers, while others distribute to small local wholesalers who sell to small stores in the end.

• Wholesaler/Regional Distributor: Regional suppliers will take on the delivery of boxcar-sized lots and sell these products to local wholesalers, who in turn sell them to small businesses.

• Jobber: Jobbers are individuals who deliver different products to small brick-and-mortar shops and local grocers every day.

Small business owners can bypass jobbers by moving enough volume, while importers sell directly to retailers in a smaller industry. Each industry has its own distribution type, so it is best to learn about this.

2. Experience The Manufacturer In Advance

In the end, paying wholesalers will cut into your profit, so you might want to remove intermediaries from this process and start at the source.

In terms of selling branded items, you will want to come straight to the manufacturers and cut deals with them. 

In case your product order requirement is too small, or they only sell through established distributors, ask them for a list of these channels for you to contact.

An example is Dony Garment, which owns a separate office and sample factory for wholesalers and retailers to visit and review their samples in person. It provides quality textiles – apparel manufacturing services.

3. Keep A Regular Update On Major B2B Marketplaces 

You can purchase large quantities of products at low prices on many reputable online B2B marketplaces. Alibaba.com is one of the largest marketplaces of manufacturers and wholesalers. Other sites include:

• Busy Trade (Hong Kong)
• EC21 (Korea)
• EC Plaza (Korea)
• Global Sources (USA)
• Buyer Zone (USA)

It is ideal to buy from marketplaces that are based in your country or region. There are also B2B marketplaces serving specific industries; they can supply in one single country or many retailers worldwide.

4. Be More Specific In Online Research

Searching for general wholesale suppliers online will not work.  Make sure to identify your niche first with brand names or keywords such as simple fashion for casual wear, uniforms, disposable protective clothing, or labor protection clothes with industrial safety standards.

You want to look for as many wholesale distributors online as possible for a thoughtful price comparison between different competitive suppliers and get to know the average price range in your industry.

You may run into DONY Garment on the go because this company produces all mentioned items. It is more convenient and beneficial  if you can connect with a supplier that distributes versatile apparel products.

5. Participate In A Fashion Trade Show

One of the most effective ways to build your business is through trade shows since fashion retailers can connect face-to-face with many wholesalers and manufacturers from diverse industries.

During a trade show, you can meet and speak to numerous suppliers and manufacturers in person in a single day. Direct conversations are better than online chatting to avoid misinformation and other hardships.

The Trade Show News Network is currently the largest directory of online trade shows. Once you have aimed for a particular show, search for its date, city, country, industry, and the event name.

6. Don’t Be Scared To Make Mistakes

Forming an ideal clothing supply chain is a difficult process involving a lot of try-outs and mistakes. Therefore, don’t be afraid of the idea that the particular wholesaler might not be a vendor working with you in the long run.

My advice is to remember that your first expectation from a supplier is a product you will be able to ship at a profit. It may not be the lowest wholesale price, but you can change that as you expand your professional networks and grow the business.

Conclusion

I highly recommend Dony Garment as a great manufacturer with unmatched services. The Vietnamese company has been exporting various types of quality clothing to clients in developed countries.

With the helpful information and tips above, you start supplying your small business, whether retail or online, either through a trustworthy supplier working with DONY or purchase items directly from them.

Thank you for reading.