In the world of travel, bags excluding leather luggage tend to be either practical or stylish—while business people and other professionals may fold their starched shirts and pantsuits into luxurious garment bags and briefcases, gap-year backpackers usually stuff all of their gear into one hulking, decidedly unfashionable rucksack. Leather luggage, however, bridges this gap by offering a unique blend of rugged durability and style.

Because leather itself is extremely durable, leather luggage tends to last for many years, provided that it's properly cared for. Because it's such a classic material, it's available in an incredible range of styles and designs, ranging from burly, weather-beaten duffles to sleek, fashion-forward rolling carry-ons. When choosing leather luggage for your retail store, consider the following:

1. Leather luggage comes in many different fashions and styles.

2. A piece of luggage's durability is governed by the quality and protective treatment of its leather.

3. Leather luggage directories and wholesale suppliers often offer great deals on bulk orders.

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

Choose leather luggage that complements your customers' professional style

Leather luggage from high-fashion designers like Burberry and Louis Vuitton may look great on actresses and A-list celebs, but for many business travelers they are unnecessarily expensive and flashy. Instead, travelers may prefer garment bags, duffel bags, briefcases and laptop carriers constructed out of plain leather. Small touches like belt-buckle closures, top-stitching and brass luggage tags can give a bag a customized look without detracting from its professional appearance.

I recommend: Leather & Luggage Depot offers bulk pricing on luggage from a variety of top manufacturers, including Piel Leather and Jacara. Its product line includes many different styles and designs and it offers free shipping on orders of $100 or more. McKlein USA is a leather luggage provider that also boasts a large selection of product styles, and offers wholesale pricing for retail stores on all mid to high-end travel luggage, business cases and more.

Stock leather luggage in different sizes to suit your customers' varying travel needs

Some folks only need a briefcase, a garment bag and a small carry-on to travel comfortably. Others need a full set of travel bags to hold all of their stuff. Stocking luggage in a wide range of sizes ensures that each of your customers can find the right combination of bags for his trip.

I recommend: For something small with a professional look, consider one of the leather briefcases from Bagproduct.com where you can buy genuine leather products at wholesale prices. Finally, when in doubt, you can browse the selection of leather goods from a discount luggage provider like LuggageGuy.

Save money by ordering wholesale or from a leather luggage directory

Depending on the tastes of your clientele, it may not be profitable or affordable to stock high-priced brand-name luggage. Instead, you may be better served by ordering your inventory from wholesale suppliers or luggage directories. Both of these can help you find leather luggage from lesser-known providers. These are also good sources of general leather luggage information.

I recommend: A leather luggage list like FineLeather.com connects you with dozens of products from leather luggage suppliers that offer discount prices on brand-name goods. Wholesale sites like My Wholesale Leather and Wholesale Central are also good for buying luggage in bulk, although they tend not to stock products from top manufacturers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider stocking some basic leather care products in addition to the leather luggage. Cloths, polish and water sealants help the leather look its best and prolong its life.