Basketball players require quality basketball shoes to enhance performance and avoid injury. Many basketball teams use uniform basketball shoes to complete the unified look of a team. Some people simply wear basketball shoes because they favor the style of them.

Whether you are in charge of properly equipping a team, or simply stocking a shoe store or sporting goods store with quality and stylish basketball shoes, it is important to forecast the basketball shoes pricing and costs.

1. Purchase basketball shoes in bulk to get the best prices and lowest shipping costs.

2. Many name brand basketball shoes offer team discounts.

3. Concentrate on purchasing the biggest brands in basketball shoes; they are the best in quality and highest in demand.

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Shop for basketball shoes in team colors

Completing an overall uniform look with team color basketball shoes will give a team a more professional look, more school pride and team spirit. Most name-brand shoes offer different styles that are quality, custom made for playing basketball and come in a wide variety of color combinations that are typical team colors. Big-name brand shoes like Nike, Adidas, Reebok and And1 will cost between $30 and $100 per pair.

I recommend: Find men's and women's Adidas basketball shoes that come in team colors at Adidas America. Eastbay.com offers Nike, Reebok, and Adidas basketball shoes that come in team colors. Find various brands of basketball shoes including And1 that come in team colors from DC Sports.

Buy basketball shoes from wholesale suppliers

If stocking a shoe store or sporting goods store, big bucks can be saved by ordering basketball shoes in bulk; usually the more ordered the more they are discounted. Some wholesale suppliers might have small enough minimum orders to get discounts if buying shoes for one or two basketball teams.

I recommend: Wholesale Athletic Shoes does not have any minimum orders, but start as low as $25 per pair and offers even greater discounts for big orders. Cheap-sneaker.com has name-brand basketball shoes for between $30 and $40 per pair, with a minimum order of only three. You can get up to $10 more off per pair for buying more than 24 pairs.

Find discounts on basketball shoes for teams

Some sporting good stores might offer discounts for sporting teams. Find a local store and speak to the manager, and try to work out a deal that the store gets thanked on a scoreboard, in a program or some other way in exchange for a discount. Potential savings for the team could be up to 25% off the original price.

I recommend: Foot Locker stores have been known to offer discounts for organized teams, but each store policy will differ. Find discounted basketball shoes for teams at Final-Score.

If you're selling basketball shoes, choose a prominent place in your business to stock and display them. Carry a wide selection of basketball shoes in a variety of styles and brand names so you can meet the needs of all your clients.

Set yourself apart from the competition with both your large inventory of basketball shoes and with exceptional customer service. Train your employees to be knowledgeable about basketball shoes information so they can help customers find basketball shoes in the proper sizes and avoid things like blisters that can take the fun out of the game.

1. Make sure your basketball shoes list includes a full selection of basketball shoes for men and women.

2. Stock children's basketball shoes as a part of your inventory.

3. Choose a basketball shoes provider that offers good sales and return terms.

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Include adult basketball shoes in your inventory

Stock plenty of basketball shoes for adults, including shoes for both men and women. Stock high-top basketball shoes and traditional basketball shoes in a variety of sizes and colors so you can meet the needs of all of your basketball-playing customers.

I recommend: Nike is probably the most popular basketball shoe manufacturer; contact them about becoming a retailer. Also consider Reebok, a company prepared to meet all of your inventory needs for men's, women's and children's basketball shoes.

Buy basketball shoes for your smallest customers

Take into account the smaller members of your clients' families and provide the kids with a good selection of sizes and colors so they can find their own basketball shoes. Keep the quality high and the prices reasonable, since kids outgrow their basketball shoes and need them replaced often. Keeping a diverse shoe selection at reasonable prices ensures customer loyalty.

I recommend: Get in touch with Adidas to carry their shoes for children and adults. Also contact Converse, which has a variety of kids' basketball shoes for your inventory.

Negotiate the best deal with basketball shoes providers

Create a long-term partnership with basketball shoes providers to negotiate the best terms possible. Discuss bulk rate shipping discounts and ask about how you can become recognized as a preferred customer to qualify for more discounts.

I recommend: New Balance will help you build your basketball shoes inventory; check with them for terms and pricing. Or contact Puma for information about retailing their shoes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Create a catalog or a basketball shoes directory so you can offer custom-ordered basketball shoes for your customers without spending your money stocking and storing these more unusual shoes.

All basketball shoes aren't created equal. The different basketball shoes types and styles are important to basketball players depending on the position they play. For example, shoes with less ankle support affect a players maneuverability, while more ankle support restricts ankle bending during jumps and shoots. A retailer must understand the types and styles of basketball shoes in order to offer a great selection.

Retailers should understand that three types of basketball players will come shopping for shoes: power players, fast players and all-around players. Each player will have different shoe needs. By stocking basketball shoes for all types of players, you can increase sales and earn repeat customers. When ordering shoes for resale, look for these attributes:

1. Shoes with different cuts of support around the ankle. There are high tops, mid tops and low tops.

2. A variety of different closure systems such as laces, straps, Velcro and zippers.

3. Outer soles created for both indoor and outdoor play. Shoes with thicker rubber outer soles are suitable for frequent outdoor play.

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Pick popular brands of basketball shoes

When it comes to apparel, brand names can help sell a product. In the field of basketball shoes, popular brand names include Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Converse and And 1. There are also Air Jordans, formerly associated with the Nike brand of shoes. Carrying these types of basketball shoes can increase sales from name recognition. It may also help to sell shoes marketed by professional basketball players.

I recommend: Shoes marketed by professional basketball players like Lebron James can increase sales. Check out NikeLebron.net for the player's shoes. Eastbay sells all the popular brands through their website.

Offer both lightweight and heavier basketball shoes

Low top basketball shoes are lighter weight but don't provide as much ankle support. Since most players prefer more ankle support, stocking the store with only a few low top models is ideal. Shoes that use leather and mesh for the upper part are more lightweight than all leather shoes. The padding material also affects the weight, with EVA materials lighter than polyurethane padding materials.

I recommend: Nike offers a wide variety of lightweight shoes for men and women. And 1, a popular shoe brand, offers low top and mid top shoes.

Stock men's, women's and kids basketball shoes

It's important that you stock basketball shoes suitable for men, women and children. Women don't benefit from a men's basketball shoe, even if they buy the shoe in a smaller size. Men's shoes are typically made wider and don't provide women the needed stability. And with the explosion of kids' sports, there will be customers wanting basketball shoes for their kindergartener.

I recommend: Foot Locker offers basketball shoes for toddlers up to teenagers. CraveOnline Media operates HoopsVibe.com, a retailer of women's basketball shoes.