The maternity industry may seem huge, but to a pregnant woman, there may appear to be few choices for pregnancy clothes that make her feel attractive. One of the most difficult tasks in the maternity clothing industry is to provide clothing that is trendy, tasteful, and appealing.

Fashion trends are constantly changing. You need to keep up; however, you also need to keep your prices affordable. Keep in mind, women are not buying maternity clothes to add permanent pieces to their wardrobes; they are simply looking for comfortable clothes to wear for only nine months.

When you are looking for maternity apparel to add to your retail business, remember the following:

1. Offer basic maternity apparel, like pants and sweaters that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.
2. Offer maternity apparel for everyone. Sell maternity business suits, maternity bathing suits, and intimate maternity apparel.
3. Keep prices as affordable as possible for most items, but also offer designer maternity clothes for those customers willing to pay a little extra for brand names.

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

Offer maternity business clothes and maternity business suits

One of the most difficult items to find in maternity apparel is a business suit. If you are definitely interested in selling maternity business suits, there are some options available. You will also want to look at other types of business maternity clothes while researching the market.

I recommend: You can find maternity business clothes and maternity business suits at Blossom Maternity. This website offers the basics: suit pants, suit jackets, dresses, and skirts. Prices are affordable, but all suit pieces are sold separately. Figure 8 is a website that also offers maternity business clothes and maternity business suits. Although there are not a lot of choices, you can find the basics to build upon.

Be sure to have a variety of stylish maternity clothes available

Stylish clothes that can be worn for any occasion are must-haves for maternity apparel. These clothing pieces should be fashionable, but mostly affordable. The websites below offer affordable pregnancy clothes as well as some designer maternity clothes.

I recommend: Motherhood Maternity and Mimi Maternity are great places to begin your search for stylish maternity clothes. Both stores sell only maternity clothing and offer a wide variety of styles at affordable prices. Ann Taylor Loft has a small array of stylish maternity clothes available. Browse the website by category to find just the right style you are looking for. Prices range from $20.00 to $80.00. Isabella Oliver offers a large array of stylish maternity clothes. Here you can find everything from maternity business clothes to swimwear. The downside is that apparel offered here tends to be a bit pricey; items start at about $50.00.

Don't forget to include a selection of intimate maternity apparel

Intimate maternity apparel may range in type from sleepwear to panties to nursing bras. Be sure to stock a number of different fabrics and styles.

I recommend: If you need intimate maternity apparel, such as panties and bras, I would recommend buying from a store that specializes in maternity apparel. Visit iMaternity for an extensive collection of maternity panties. Due Maternity offers different types of sleepwear, nursing bras, and panties. A Pea in the Pod also offers intimate maternity apparel.

Take advantage of affordable maternity clothes options for businesses

If you are in business to sell maternity clothes, then you want to make a profit. Wholesale maternity apparel and inexpensive maternity clothes can benefit your business.

I recommend: Great Maternity Clothing offers a wide range of affordable maternity clothes. This website will appeal to businesses looking to buy bulk maternity clothes to sell. They do sell inexpensive maternity clothes, but there are a set number of items that need to be purchased at one time. Anticipation and NMD Maternity Clothing Wholesale Distributors sell directly to maternity apparel retailers, and in order to get discounts and use these websites you must provide your retail information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you buy maternity clothes for your business, make sure the maternity clothes distributors you buy from offer exchanges or refunds.
• •  When selling maternity apparel, be sure to offer a large array of sizes to fit the needs of all women.