Wholesale Clothing Key Terms

Learn more about purchasing clothing wholesale

Clothing retailers often purchase wholesale clothing to stock the shelves of their businesses. Wholesale clothing can be generic or name-brand clothing at prices much lower than retail or boutique shops. Low pricing of wholesale clothing is often provided to retailers that order in bulk. Some wholesale clothing distributors price wholesale bulk orders by the number of items, while other distributors price the merchandise according to how much the total order weighs.

 

Drop shipping

Drop shipping is a method in which a business does not keep an inventory. Instead, the business takes an order from a customer, places the order with a distributor and the distributor makes the delivery directly to the customer.
Try: Drop Ship Access explains the methods of drop shipping and how a business can use this method to reduce costs.

Closeouts, liquidations

A closeout, or liquidation, is the process of clearing out a specific item or a number of items to zero the inventory. Closeout prices are often used on clothing items that are out of season or older fashion trends.
Try: Genco Marketplace offers information on where liquidated merchandise comes from and the different categories of closeouts and other surplus items.

Shelf pull

A shelf pull refers to a product that was featured in a retail store but then pulled from the shelves to make room for new products.
Try: The Closeout Industry offers information on what a shelf pull is and resources for buying apparel labeled as a shelf pull.

Brand-name clothing

Brand-name clothing is apparel that has a specific brand known to retailers and consumers alike. Often brand name clothing is more expensive than generic labels and represents a higher quality and fashion status.
Try: Ask Men compares brand name clothing with generic labels.

Off-price

Off-price clothing is sold well below prices found in retail stores and is often brand-name or designer clothing.
Try: The Off Price Specialist Show offers a how-to guide for wholesalers on how to buy off-price clothing and get the best deal.

Bulk order

A bulk order is purchased from a manufacturer and meets a need for a specific amount of product. Manufacturers of clothing and apparel can provide bulk ordering to wholesalers by the number of items or by the total weight of the order. Bulk ordering usually provides additional discounts in the price.
Try: Get Wholesale Supply offers information on finding an international bulk wholesale supplier, particularly in China.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---