10 Ways to Find the Best Wholesale Clothing Distributors [How to Guide]

Small company owners are increasingly worried about how to locate wholesale clothes wholesalers for their operations. A wholesaler is a company that purchases items from manufacturers and resells them to other companies. The wholesaler does not own a shop; rather, they provide merchandise to your small business for you to sell to your customers.

Wholesale distributors play a crucial role in connecting suppliers and store owners, whether you run a brick-and-mortar business or an e-commerce site.

Thus, a few frequently asked questions are: where to find small business wholesale suppliers? Should you search on Google? Should you attend a tradeshow? Should you import from China? Where can you find dropship suppliers, wholesalers, or factories to manufacture your products?

With these questions in mind, here’s our take on the best way to find small business wholesale suppliers for your online business.

Where Can You Find Wholesale Clothing Distributors For Your Small Business?

With one or more wholesale clothes wholesalers, you can run a modest business. Finding the perfect one to work with, though, might be tough. You’ll need to find a wholesale apparel distributor who can do the following:

Connect you with the providers and products that your business needs.

• Have affordable pricing
• Serve your specific geographic area.
• It is dependable, trustworthy, and simple to work with.

Before you can locate the finest wholesale clothes distributor to deal with, you need to figure out what kind of products you’re selling. You may start looking for the ideal wholesaler to supply your clothes business once you know what you’re looking for.

1. Research your industry’s distribution channels

A product can be transported in a variety of methods from the maker to the store. Let’s look at four different sorts of distribution channels…

• Manufacturer: For some items, you may purchase straight from the manufacturer. Small producers are frequently purchased by boutique retailers (sometimes one person).
• Importer/Exclusive Distributor: An organization may have exclusive rights to import and distribute a product in a certain nation. Some may sell directly to retailers, while others may sell to smaller local wholesalers who will sell to retailers.
• Wholesalers: National wholesalers take boxcar-sized quantities and sell them to local wholesalers, who then distribute them to small firms.
• Jobbers: These individuals distribute clothing to local retail businesses regularly.

2. Try First With The Manufacturers

Paying wholesalers reduces your profit margin. To optimize your profit, you should start at the beginning and eliminate intermediaries from the equation.

If you’re selling branded merchandise, contact the manufacturer directly. They could sell to you if you meet their minimum order requirements. If you’re too small for them or only distribute via established channels, ask them for a list of reliable distributors to contact.

The fewer people you have to deal with, the less money you’ll spend. As a result, you’ll be more competitive in the marketplace.

3. Be More Specific In Online Searches

When conducting an internet search, don’t just seek typical wholesale clothes vendors. Make careful to add keywords related to your products or expertise. Experiment with product names, model numbers, and brand names to see what you can come up with.

If you wish to contact one of the potential distributors but don’t have an email address or phone number, you may do a WHOIS search to obtain the website owner’s contact information. The more possible wholesalers you uncover, the better you’ll be able to compare the store and get a feel of the industry’s regular costs, as well as acquire competitive bids.

Also, you can do an in-depth search on Google using the following items:

• “best wholesale clothing distributors”
• “online wholesale clothing distributors”
• “good quality wholesale clothing distributors USA”
• “wholesale clothing suppliers”
• “best wholesale clothing websites”
• …

4. Maintain a positive relationship with your wholesale supplier

Begin by contacting wholesale apparel wholesalers through the manufacturer’s database, phonebook lists, or a wholesale directory.

• Their minimal order requirements
• Their wholesale unit pricing is as follows:
• The area in which they operate

This initial contact can be made by phone or email, with a phone call to follow up if you want further information or choose to proceed. Don’t attempt to seem greater than you are, and be honest about what you’re searching for.

Let’s talk about Wholesale7, our wholesale clothing company. Wholesale7 is the nation’s fastest-growing wholesale clothes supplier for boutique stores. We provide ready-to-wear designs for a variety of events, from casual to formal. Women’s shirts, dresses, bottoms, sweaters, and outerwear are our specialty, mostly for the young modern.

5. Use Alibaba to look for wholesale lots.

Alibaba’s business approach is unique compared to those of competitors such as eBay and Amazon. It was more focused on B2B (business-to-business) transactions. Unlike traditional business-to-consumer (B2C) models, Alibaba concentrates on serving as a marketplace for manufacturers to sell items in bulk at wholesale prices to small and medium-sized businesses all over the world, who then resale them in retail in their home markets.

6. Maintain Contact With Major B2B Marketplaces

Several large online B2B marketplaces exist where you may purchase large quantities of things at reasonable costs.  Find a marketplace that serves your nation or region. There are also industry-specific B2B marketplaces, which might service a single nation or the whole global retail market.

If you’re searching for wholesale women’s apparel markets, we propose Wholesale7 based in Guangzhou, China. Wholesale7 is an online wholesale fashion marketplace that aims to inspire manufacturers and the greatest wholesale women’s apparel suppliers by combining contemporary trends with an easy-to-use web interface. It serves as a virtual fashion district for all sellers and stores across the world.

7. Join Business Associations, Forums, and Other Professional Networks

Small company owners who have more expertise in your sector or area are frequently the most knowledgeable wholesalers. Other merchants are unlikely to be willing to share supplier information with competitors. Spend time networking to build trust and contacts that will aid you in finding the best wholesale suppliers for your small business.

Participate in internet forums, which may provide a wealth of free information, and seek advice from those with market or business expertise. To expand your professional network, you may also work on your LinkedIn page, sign up for industry publications, and join your local Chamber of Commerce or small company networking organizations.

8. Attend a Trade Show

One of the most effective strategies to promote and expand your business is to attend trade exhibitions. These gatherings are intended to bring together retailers and wholesale clothes distributors and manufacturers.

You can meet and talk with dozens of wholesalers or manufacturers in a single day at a trade fair. Face-to-face talks frequently prevent misinterpretation or communication challenges that might occur when contacting individuals online.

The largest online tradeshow index is Trade Show News Network. You may look for a trade show by entering the name of the industry, the date, the city, the nation or state, and the event.

9. Become a Subscriber to Trade Publications in the Fashion Industry

In your industry, trade journals are a gold mine of business and relationship knowledge. Almost every advertiser in the magazine is a product producer or distributor trying to contact you. A single issue of a fashion magazine may include the names of dozens of wholesale clothes wholesalers or small clothing manufacturers.

Subscribe to fashion periodicals, as well as online newsletters and blogs. These are frequently the best ways to stay up to speed on industry news daily or weekly.

10. Don’t Be Afraid To Make A Mistake

It’s possible that your initial wholesale apparel distributor will not be a long-term partner. Creating your ideal supply chain is a process that includes a lot of trial and error.

The delivery of goods is your primary priority. Then, as you continue to create and grow your company, you may boost your profits by experimenting with different wholesale clothes wholesalers.

Is It Possible To Purchase Wholesale Without A Business License?

You can buy wholesale without having a business. However, be assessed sales tax, which may reduce your profit margins. The term wholesale, in general, has no magical properties. It doesn’t matter how much money you make as long as you make a profit.

Is a Tax ID Required When Purchasing Wholesale?

You can buy products wholesale without paying sales tax if you have a company tax wholesale number. Some vendors may refuse to sell to you unless you have a company license and tax ID, even if it is not explicitly required.

Is it legal to buy and resell products?

Buying and reselling things is perfectly lawful. However, in order to pay sales tax to your governing organization, you must first get a seller’s permit.

What Are China’s Best Wholesale Suppliers?

The majority of suppliers in China are manufacturers and factories. As a result, sourcing from China means buying directly from the source. Alibaba, Global Sources, or Wholesale7 are the finest places to look for clothing suppliers in China.