Operating a socks business can be challenging as sock preferences fluctuate from one year to the next. Many are replacing the traditional wool socks of the past with fun, fashionable styles and colors that appeal to men and women alike. There are still those individuals, however, who will not purchase anything less than what Grandma wore. Your best bet would be to stock up on a variety of different sizes, colors and styles.

Consider the following when making your sock purchases:

1. Purchase brand name or high-quality socks for longer wear.

2. Purchase wholesale socks.

3. Purchase irregular crew socks from factory outlets.

4. Purchase compression socks or other specialty socks after holiday clearances.

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

Stay up-to-date with current trends in the socks industry to avoid costly mistakes

As diverse as socks are in the marketplace, so are consumer preferences. Meet consumer needs by staying abreast of what is in vogue, what's available in a sock and what is best. This knowledge will help you save money by keeping merchandise moving quickly as opposed to sitting on the shelf for indefinite periods of time.

I recommend: IBISworld offers facts and statistics in the socks industry. Socks N Feet's useful information on sock selection can help you with socks purchasing decisions. Constructiongear.com gives specific information on choosing the right sock.

Get information on socks and saving money on socks from money-saving Web sites

Stocking up on a variety of different sizes, colors and styles of socks can be an expensive endeavor. Get money-saving tips to help you defray the costs of staying in supply.

I recommend: Take a few tips from thriftyfun.com and apply them to your socks business. Learn about different types of wholesale socks and how to purchase them through Dollar Days International.

Purchase from high quality sock distributors, a good wholesale socks distributor and factory outlets

Purchasing socks from a high quality distributor will give you credibility with your customers because no one wants to keep buying socks that wear out or wash out because of poor quality. A good sock distributor will have an ample supply of high quality socks available for your socks business. There are also several wholesale socks distributors that offer discount socks in a variety of styles, or you can purchase irregular crew socks and other irregular socks from factory outlets for additional savings.

I recommend: Sock Guy provides performance specialty socks, featuring comfort and durability. Try Socks4Life.com for a myriad of socks, including diabetic socks, crew socks and wholesale socks. Alabama Wholesale Socks offers a variety of socks for the entire family. You can purchase dress socks, athletic socks and compression socks. Sign up for Email Bulletins to receive notice of current and upcoming specials. Find irregular crew socks through Aid and Trade's Global Dropshippers Marketplace.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Flea markets are a great place to find bulk items from close outs. They usually have plenty of low-priced socks.

Socks come in many types and styles. Just about everyone needs at least one pair of socks--regardless of their geography. Adding some of the most popular kinds to your socks business will ensure that your customers won’t go anywhere else for their sock needs.

The first step in finding wholesale socks is to decide what kind of styles you want to carry. Consider these ideas when weighing your options:

1. Have some fun with novelty socks from sock distributors.

2. Soothe legs and feet with different types of compression socks.

3. Supply your customers with crew socks they can wear every day.

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

Entertain your customers with wholesale socks in novelty styles

Have you ever seen someone wearing a unique, fun pair of socks and wonder where they got them? Working with a novelty socks distributor will give you a chance to answer that question--this time for your customers. From those goofy toe socks to the cute socks with puppies and kittens on them, your customers are sure to love these whimsical fashion accessories.

I recommend: The Joy of Socks website has some great choices of toe socks as well as other novelty styles. The Twisted Stitcher website features unique novelty socks and takes custom design orders. Soxeteer sells fun socks for every member of the family.

Give comfort to aching legs with wholesale compression socks

Some medical conditions require the use of compression socks for comfort. Other customers may wear compression socks when they travel. Whatever their use, adding compression varieties to your sock business will cater to customers who need more than just the average variety of cotton socks.

I recommend: The All Med Wholesale website sells many varieties of wholesale compression socks. Foryourlegs.com lets you search for compression socks by support level, ensuring you get the right ones for your needs. CompressionStore.com sells compression socks as well as compression pantyhose for women.

Provide your customers with a staple in footwear--crew socks

Crew socks are the everyday, average sock. They serve many purposes--from being work socks to athletic socks. Your wholesaler can give you socks information on the latest trends and styles since your customers will be looking to buy the 'typical white socks.'

I recommend: Covenant Wholesale Socks sells first-quality crew socks at wholesale prices. The Sock Wholesalers website sells crew socks in the typical white as well as in assorted fashion colors. Alabama Wholesale Socks offers crew socks in extra large sizes as well as average sizes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to stock up on wholesale socks for every holiday. Whether it is Valentine's Day or Christmas, many people like to show their holiday spirit by sporting some festive socks.

Although socks are a relatively low-ticket purchase, carrying a number of styles at reasonable prices can increase store profits since customers will stock up to save money. Offer socks that fulfill customer requests ranging from athletic tube socks to dressy black socks.

Explore your options and discover an array of socks information and styles by studying websites for wholesale socks and literature from sock distributors. In addition to finding the best deals on basic socks styles, you may also discover themed or specialty sock types that can increase your socks business. Choose socks that will meet your customers’ needs by trying to:

1. Find adult socks for men and women that want crew socks and cotton socks for athletic wear or nylon or wool stocks for work and dressier occasions.
2. Offer colorful and white socks for children that they can wear to school, on weekends and during extracurricular activities and fancier functions.
3. Look for specialty socks like versions with themed designs for holidays or compression socks needed for people suffering from circulation-related health problems.
   

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

Purchase socks for men and women that they can wear at work or at play

Consider offering a wide range of adult-sized socks from toe socks that boast durability to athletic versions that wick away moisture to wool socks for cooler weather to dress socks for work or formal functions. Since socks come in a limited range of sizes, you can offer more styles without dedicating more floor space to the merchandise.

I recommend: The Sock Boutique offers adult socks in an assortment of lengths and styles, including striped tube socks, ankle socks and tights. Contact the company for a wholesale retailer account. Find dress socks or casual wear socks in a variety of colors and materials for men and women through Sock Wholesalers.

Order children's' socks in a variety of sizes and styles since the garments need frequent replacemen

Despite the best laundering, children's socks show wear and tear much quicker than adult counterparts. Since parents are continually buying socks for their kids to wear during and after school, keeping a healthy selection on hand will boost your bottom line.

I recommend: Discover kids’ socks with reinforced toes that withstand repeated wear through Alabama Wholesale Socks. The site also offers socks for women and men. CJ’s Wholesale offers kids’ low-rise and ankle-length socks, as well as versions from brand names like Nike.

Choose specialty socks to meet your customers' health or fashion-related needs

Although specialty socks don't appeal to the mass market, you can see profits if you stock a selection of socks for niche markets since they have higher price points. For example, consider offering compression socks designed to improve circulation for diabetic customers.

I recommend: Stock up on themed socks with designs for holidays like Christmas through Dollar Days. The site also offers wholesale socks in colorful patterns and slipper styles for adults and children. Socks distributor Physician’s Choice offers wholesale diabetic socks in different lengths and colors.

Socks may seem like a simple business but it is anything but. There are numerous varieties that are all beneficial for different reasons. Novelty socks can help your customers show their true personality while diabetic socks can help prevent serious health problems for those suffering from diabetes. For the athlete, crew socks offer as many benefits as footie socks can offer to someone who just wants the protection of a sock, but not the look. Get in tune with sock key terms in order to recommend the best style for each customer.

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

Novelty socks

Novelty socks include holiday socks, logo socks and fun prints and designs. Novelty socks are not worn on a daily basis and are often made from thinner materials.

I recommend: Absolute Ties displays an assortment of novelty socks.

Compression socks

Compression socks are used for a variety of health purposes. They fit snugly to your ankle and calf, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable. They help to keep the blood flowing evenly.

I recommend: Foot Smart explains the benefits of compression socks.

Crew socks

Crew socks cover the entire ankle and are often used while doing physical activities such as athletics. Crew socks are longer in order to keep the feet dry and fresh.

I recommend: Tennis Warehouse details a type of crew sock.

Diabetic socks

People with diabetes have particular problems with their feet including painful blisters or sores. Diabetic socks are seamless, preventing excess moisture.

I recommend: Diabetic Socks describes the health risks that people with diabetes face with their feet and how diabetic socks can help.

Toe socks

Toe socks are worn for a combination of keeping your feet dry and comfortable as well as staying stylish. Toe socks have an individual space for each toe rather than typical socks that enclose all toes in the same space.

I recommend: Toe Sock Supplier discusses the benefits of toe socks and displays some varieties.

Footie socks, booties

Footie socks, also referred to as booties, are much shorter than most socks and only cover up to the back of your heel. Footies are ideal if you don't want your socks to peak out of your shoes or just to walk around the house.

I recommend: Sock Dreams explains the best uses for footie socks.