Whether you own a retail store or a luxurious spa, affordable women’s slippers and men’s slippers are essential for your business. In fact, your inventory may also include kids slippers, baby slippers and ballerina slippers that all need to be fit into your budget. Finding the right slippers to fit your needs can be difficult, even if you stay current on the latest information about slippers, slipper manufactures and suppliers.

Slippers pricing and costs vary according to brand name, style and size. Some slipper makers create house slippers for those on a budget, while others make leather slippers to pamper your client’s feet. Regardless of the slippers you choose for your inventory it is important to review the current pricing and costs of slippers to ensure a great deal for your company. When looking for slippers for your business, remember to:

1. Find slippers of all styles from women’s bedroom slippers to unisex slippers.

2. Consider carrying embroidered men’s bedroom slippers and women’s slippers.

3. Add affordable kids slippers and casual slippers to your inventory list.

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Slip house slippers and bath slippers into your store's inventory

Whether you own a retail business or a combination company, like a spa, there are certain slippers you should have on hand to meet demands. Bath and bedroom slippers are essential for basic customer needs. For as little as $4 to $6 per pair, you can keep these slippers in your inventory.

I recommend: For unisex styles check out TowelBathRobe.com, and importer of fine Turkish bath and spa products. Its prices range from $4 to $6 per pair, depending on quantity.

Choose embroidered slippers to cater to the custom wishes of your clients

Embroidered slippers offer a custom look for a fraction of the price. Your customers will enjoy the whimsy of a high quality selection of men's slippers, kids slippers and women's slippers to choose from. Embroidered slippers range from as low as $.99 to $5 per pair.

I recommend: StorePulls.com sells embroidered slippers by the case. Its cases usually include 72 pairs of different sizes and colors, in order to vary your inventory. For rock bottom prices, check out Zaken Liquidation for high quality slippers for all ages.

Stay under your budget with casual and kids slippers

Men and women alike wear casual slippers during certain events. In fact, in some parts of the country these shoes are commonly worn every day. Casual slippers can be a fun and affordable addition to your inventory list, the per pair cost ranges from $2 to $4 at most wholesale shops. Kids slippers are also a smart buy, at $1 to $3 per pair they are a good investment for most retail locations.

I recommend: Warmbat offers a large selection of sheepskin slippers causal boots at low per pair prices. Check out Heavens Little Stuff for kids slippers in cases at prices that will not damage your bottom line.

When you think of selling slippers, many options are available. The term "slippers" used to refer to covers for feet that are worn around the house. Today, "slippers" refers not only to those house slippers but to any shoe slipped on your foot. However, house slippers or bedroom slippers are still widely used by the general public.

Women's bedroom slippers and men's bedroom slippers are extremely popular, and not just for warmth. Bedroom slippers are now a source of comfort for feet. They are also stylish and, sometimes come in designer brands.

If you are thinking of adding slippers to your product line, this is a great idea. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Almost everyone owns slippers, even kids, so you have a wide audience to sell to.

2. Insulated slippers are designed to keep feet warm. Comfortable slippers may not be designed to keep feet warm, but can offer comfort, especially for customers with wood flooring. Keep both types of items in stock.

3. Sell slippers in a variety of price ranges. Offer clients a number of choices in each price range.

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Get information about slippers you plan to sell

Consumers are picky. Research the different types of slippers you plan to sell, and read consumer reviews of these products.

I recommend: PowerReviews, Inc. has a large selection of slipper reviews. The product rating is immediately available, and if you click on the product, you get detailed reviews and information. Customer reviews of slippers are also available on websites that sell slippers. Shoebuy provides a large number of consumer reviews on slippers. Just click on the slipper you are interested in to find customer reviews and purchase options.

Buy slippers directly from the manufacturer

Consider buying your inventory directly from slipper makers. Although these may be international companies, they usually offer great deals and a large selection.

I recommend: Jiangsu Sunshine is a slipper manufacturer, offering everything from house slippers to faux-fur slippers. Byring Footwear has a very large selection of house slippers for men, women, and children. Nest Handbags & Accessories is a slipper manufacturer that offers wholesale options.

Sell kids' slippers, women's slippers and men's slippers

If you sell slippers, have a variety of styles and colors available for men, women and children.

I recommend: OnlySlippers.com is a store that sells all types of slippers, including baby slippers. B.A. Mason has men's slippers, including leather slippers. Maryland Square has a selection of women's slippers, including ballet slippers. Garnet Hill offers kids' slippers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep your store and your customers in mind when selling slippers. If you own a shoe store, place slippers in high traffic areas to let your customers know about your new products. If you own a sleepwear store, place slippers near matching clothing.
• •  Buy slippers that will sell, but offer customers the option to purchase unique items. If you buy slippers from slipper makers, talk to them about completing custom orders for your clients.

As a retailer, you must understand the different slippers types and styles so you can offer customers the best selection. Slippers have become as fashionable as high heels, with customers looking for trendy, stylish slipper choices. There are the typical bedroom slippers, but there are also ballet slippers, clog slippers, moccasins, sock slippers and kid's character slippers.

Slipper makers manufacture slippers for cold weather, warm weather, indoor wear and outdoor wear. By stocking all types of house slippers and outdoor worthy slippers, you can increase sales and profits. When considering the types of slippers to sell, keep these ideas in mind:

1. Slippers can be seasonal. It's important to stock seasonally appropriate slippers in order to make sales.

2. Dance slippers aren't sold everywhere, so a retailer with quality ballerina slippers can tap into that niche market.

3. Kids slippers are big sellers, but only if you stock popular characters. It's important to know which characters entice little kids to beg for products.

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Stock women's slippers and men's slippers based on season

The most common type of seasonal slipper is the fluffy, warm slipper worn in winter. There are sheepskin slippers, fleece lined slippers, sock style slippers and non-skid fuzzy slippers that help keep feet warm in the winter. A popular warm weather slipper is the Chinese slipper. The Chinese slipper has a mesh toe and sometimes a design or decoration. These slippers have either a soft sole or a rubber sole.

I recommend: Endless.com offers a wide selection of winter slippers for women and men. Siamese Dream offers a variety of Chinese slippers, suitable for both indoor and outdoor wear.

Sell profitable kids slippers and baby slippers

Profitable kids slippers include those with cartoon characters or television show celebrities. Spongebob, Scooby Doo, Power Rangers, Dora the Explorer and Spider Man are all big sellers when it comes to kid products. Baby slippers are usually soft soled shoes with cute characters or designs on them.

I recommend: Zappos.com has a huge selection of trendy boy's and girl's slippers, including baby slippers. Crazy for Bargains has a selection of character slippers, including Bratz and Sesame Street.

Fill the shelves with outdoor and indoor slippers

Indoor slippers usually have soft bottoms that don't fare well in wet conditions or other outside conditions. Outdoor slippers usually have thicker rubber soles for support on outdoor terrain. Both women's bedroom slippers and men's bedroom slippers come in different types of materials. A highly efficient slipper is one that can go from the bedroom to the mailbox without fear of ruining the slipper.

I recommend: Shoebuy.com offers classic hard sole slippers for both men and women. Hammacher Schlemmer & Company offer outdoor waterproof slippers for both men and women.

At the end of the day, who doesn't love to slip into a cozy pair of slippers? Whether your customers are children, men or women, it's likely they'll want a good selection of slippers to choose from. Some people prefer slip on styles, while others want shoe styles. Some want something casual and soft, and others want something fancy. And everyone has a preference as to how much coverage of their feet they want and whether the slipper needs fasteners or not.

While choosing which types of slippers to offer your customers, it helps you to know the lingo used to describe them. With the proper terminology at hand, you can simply pop online and use keywords, or check a wholesaler's catalog index to find exactly what you're seeking. So with that in mind, here are some terms commonly used to describe slippers.

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Bootie

Slippers covering the entire foot and ankle are booties. They may fasten with Velcro, snaps, lacing or some other fastening method like elastic fabric may keep the slipper in place. Usually you'll find women and children styles for booties.

I recommend: Home Trends pictures and describes women's bootie slippers without any fastenings.

Mules

Mules are slip-on slippers covering only the toes. For men, women and children, mules are a common slipper type, and are typically flat-soled. However, for a fancier feel, some women's mules have heels.

I recommend: Arizona Shoe Company describes and illustrates a typical flat-soled mule for men. For a look at heeled women's mules, check out Funky Boutique.

Ballet

Ballet slippers for women or girls emulate a ballerina's shoe. They cover the entire foot, using elastic or stretchy fabric to stay in place. They always have flat soles.

I recommend: Bed Bath & Beyond showcases typical ballet-style slippers.

Moccasins

Moccasins, roughly based on Native American moccasin shoes, are for men, women and children. Moccasins may feature either a leather or rubber sole and have a leather upper gathered with a leather string. Often, but not always, the inside has insulation or sheepskin lining.

I recommend: Cabela's features a classic moccasin slipper for men.

Scuffs

Scuffs are another name for flat-soled mules. You'll find scuff slippers for men, women and children.

I recommend: Planet Shoes illustrates and briefly describes classic scuff slippers for women.

Heated

Heated slippers come in many styles, including bootie, moccasin and ballet. They feature an insert that warms the feet. Typically, you will microwave the insert, which holds the heat.

I recommend: Vat19.com features bootie-style heated slippers for women.