Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find new sources for bulk handbags and wholesale designer handbags to attract new customers

Evaluate your demographic and customer requests to find ways to expand your selection of wholesale handbags. Stocking purse styles for work, play and formal occasions can generate multiple sales from each individual customer. If your customers frequently shop with their children and pre-teens, for example, offer styles geared toward kids to encourage additional sales. You may discover untapped profits just by continually making the most of handbags in your inventory.

I recommend: Whether you want to stock backpack style purses, clutches, totes, hobos or evening bags, HandbagShopping.com has the styles for your store, including many that might appeal to teens and pre-teens. Look for items in everything from fur to metals to beaded styles. Use the online catalog at ShopForBags to find fashion bags in materials like silk, snakeskin and leather or those with imprinted or embroidered designs. The site also offers purses for the kids’ market.

Work with handbag manufacturers to ensure you're selling authentic designer bags

If the pricing on an order of designer bulk satchels, hobos and totes seems too good to be true, it just might be. With the popularity of designer handbags, some purse distributors have profited by peddling convincing knockoffs. Reputable purse manufacturers will work with you to spot and eliminate sources of counterfeits since they cut into their bottom line and their reputation, as well.

I recommend: The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition provides a “Counterfeit Gallery,” anti-counterfeiting links and resources to help you spot knockoffs. Always talk to official company representatives before ordering designers bags from a distributor or wholesaler. For example, Kate Spade offers tips on recognizing an authentic bag and provides a form to report fraud. Coach also offers a hotline to discuss possible counterfeits or report a bag you’ve received without the authentic registration number.

Expand your inventory with accessories to sell alongside your handbags

When ordering wholesale purses, study the catalog to find additional items to add to your store shelves. Stylish consumers may want to embellish plain purses with scarves to coordinate with specific outfits, have a matching wallet or buy a cute makeup bag to fit inside their tote. You can potentially increase profits on your handbags, simply by placing coordinating products next to one another to encourage mixing and matching.

I recommend: S.W. Trading offers wholesale wallets in fashion prints, basic black and imprinted with pop culture motifs. The site also stocks cell phone accessories, key rings and scarves that customers can use to spruce up handbags. Amazing Wholesale Scarves sells silk neckerchiefs and hair scarves perfect for adorning the straps of a hobo bag or tote.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attend industry trade shows whenever possible to check out the marketing strategies and displays that companies use to showcase their handbags. Use these ideas as jumping off points when designing your own seasonal, in-store set ups or photo shoots for online marketing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find legal purse distributors and wholesale purses

Some sellers of wholesale handbags are proactive in preventing the sale of counterfeit products. Such handbags wholesalers' ads often emphasize that their designer products are genuine. Question handbag wholesalers about their products; those carrying legal merchandise should have no problem answering questions about the origin of their handbags.

I recommend: Go Wholesale lists many handbag and purse wholesalers. However, be aware that some "designer inspired" bags are listed among the merchandise here, which could present legal problems. Ceri International displays a Better Business Bureau logo on its website, and ultimately can be checked out with the BBB. According to Ceri, the company has an AA rating. Look for quality wholesale purses from genuine wholesale distributors that require a minimum purchase. ShopForBags sells bulk purses and handbags for as low as $3.95 apiece, with a minimum $100 order. Handbagshopping.com offers wholesale purses with a minimum $150 order.

Get help spotting counterfeit handbags

Counterfeited items have become such a problem that entire organizations and company departments devote time solely to deterring counterfeiting, even by handbag manufacturers. Some organizations may even develop training for officials to help them spot knockoff mechandise.

I recommend: The International Anticounterfeiting Coalition counterfeit gallery has examples of fake designer handbags and notes the consequences of buying such products. LegalMatch offers a searchable database to find a lawyer who can handle counterfeit handbag cases.

Know the characteristics of genuine designer handbags

Purse and handbag designers have taken various steps to distinguish their products from knockoffs. They've built unique features into their manufacturing processes to set their bags apart from fakes.

I recommend: Kate Spade provides specific details on the characteristics of the company's authentic handbags. For example, the company says a label that is sewn onto the front of the bag is one indication of a genuine Kate Spade handbag. Coach handbags have registration numbers, and the company offers a venue for reporting Coach counterfeits. Dooney & Bourke handbags also carry a registration number, which should be printed on an item's guarantee card.

Find out what consumers are saying about handbags, handbag designers and handbag manufacturers

Keeping abreast of fashion and consumer trends will contribute to your success when selling handbags. Besides looking at what's popular in fashion magazines, get ideas of what handbag consumers want by watching your competitors' sales.

I recommend: eBags, which offers customer reviews throughout the site and information on up-and-coming designers. Handbags.com also includes customer reviews on its site as well as information on handbag trends.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Genuine designer handbags will be made of quality materials, be assembled with even stitches and may have the designer's name or logo printed on the interior lining. Leather handbags often have the designer's name or logo branded on the interior or exterior.
• •  High-end bulk purses and handbags offered at extremely low prices are typically fakes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

View new purses, fabrics and colors by attending trade shows for the fashion accessory industry

Although tiny clutch handbags may be in this season, bulky satchels may be all the rage next season. Attending trade shows and conventions for the fashion industry gives you the opportunity to see the latest styles, meet designers and uncover emerging trends.

I recommend: AccessoriesTheShow features exhibitors showcasing everything from handbags to jewelry to hats and hair goods. Walk the floor to meet company representatives, check out new display ideas, find emerging designers and discuss industry news with other purse retailers while walking the showroom floor. You can also find details on the latest handbag trends on the show’s promotional website. FAME (Fashion Avenue Market Expo) targets the women’s apparel and accessories market. Discover new colors, handbag styles, wholesalers and other accessory trends.

Gather industry news on handbags from blogs, newsletters and online or published magazines

In addition to published fashion magazines and fashion trade journals, look to the Internet for breaking news stories that industry experts upload several times a day. Look for tidbits like company news, new purse wholesalers, textile trends and seasonal projections.

I recommend: Check the blogs, news stories and online forum of Handbags.com to discover hot trends in the handbag industry. Check out the “Celebrity Handbags & Style Inspirations” section of the message board to discover styles making headlines. Apparel Search has launched Apparel Search News, a section of its website dedicated to industry news and fashion-related shows and events. The information for handbags covers styles, designer news and hot textiles.

Join fashion organizations to get first-hand information from purse manufacturers and retailers

Newsletters, online articles and message boards will keep you apprised of the news from fashion events like trade and fashion shows that you weren't able to attend. You can also sign up for educational seminars and gatherings to discuss topics like advertising and reputable wholesale purse distributors.

I recommend: The Fashion Industry Network offers a handbag user group for manufacturers, designers and retailers. Communicate with others in the industry to discover best sellers, classics you should continue to stock, emerging trends and new sources of wholesale or designer bags. Fashion Group International provides its members with seasonal fashion trend information from around the world, industry reports, newsletters, educational opportunities and a membership directory to help you keep up with handbag wholesalers and retailers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When searching for the latest news on wholesale designer handbags, bulk satchels and other purse styles like clutches, backpacks and evening bags, pay attention to trends in other garments and accessories, as well. The added information will help you stock wholesale purses that customers can coordinate with the hottest clothing looks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Birkin

The Birkin is a custom, handmade, highly touted bag made of animal skins and fine material. It carries a sophisticated air.

I recommend: Handbagzzz will introduce you to the Birkin.

Bucket, sac seau

The bucket bag, or sac seau, has a stiff, wide base and tall sides, fashioned after a bucket. This type of bag is a good carryall.

I recommend: Bink has a brief description of the bucket handbag. It can be found at the bottom of the page, alphabetized under Sac Seau. To see an image of a bucket bag, go to PersonalTotes.com.

Hobo

The hobo bag is either crescent- or bundle-shaped and has shoulder straps that attach to the bag on the sides, not at the ends like a tote.

I recommend: Visit Indianchild.com for more details on what a hobo bag is. Recognize what a hobo is by viewing images online along with a further description from the glossary at Kristopher Dukes. Scroll down the page to the Hs for this listing.

Pompadour

The pompadour is a small, pouch-like bag. The strap consists of a long cord and also serves as the closure for the handbag.

I recommend: Magic Handbags provides more information on the pompadour, including its history and typical uses. Visit La Couturière Parisienne for recommended situations in which to use the pompadour.

Reticule

The reticule is the mother of modern handbags. It was birthed from necessity and convenience as an alternative way to carry personal items that used to be carried in dress pockets.

I recommend: Find out more details on the reticule and see images at Fashion-Era.com.Those with further interest can read Fabrics.net.

Wristlet

The wristlet is a versatile handbag if the intention is for small toting. It can be carried both by the wrist strap or without the strap as a clutch.

I recommend: For pictures and information on the wristlet, visit designer Holland Cox's website. Vast Network offers more details on this handbag.