How to Beat the Competition With Wholesale Fabric

Summary: When it comes to procurement, fashion brands go for wholesale fabrics to get an edge over their competitors in the market. But one should avoid going by the minimum price point as a deal-breaker. Here is how you can get the best deals with wholesale cloth suppliers.  

Most fashion brands into fast fashion and designer clothes opt for wholesale fabrics for better bottom lines and profit margins. In the business of fast fashion, where global styles and procurement have become the new staple, procuring from wholesale cloth distributors is a wise move. But there are damning pitfalls to avoid in such transactions. A fashion label must not consider the lowest quotation as the benchmark for transactions with wholesale cloth suppliers. Let's offer you some great insights into choosing a wholesale fabric while staying ahead of the competition. 

Wholesale fabrics for a wholesome business 

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty of staying ahead of your competition in the procurement business, here are some valuable benefits you can harness from trading with a wholesale cloth supplier. 

• Cheaper fabric prices are a deal-breaker. Wholesale cloth procurement can get you your materials at bargain prices.   
• Better turnaround time is one of the mainstays of procuring wholesale fabrics. A fashion brand can expect quicker deliveries for large shipments. 
• A wider selection range is good for a clothing business. Whether it is the fabric type or colors, wholesale cloth suppliers offer better choices than retail traders. 
• Better bottom lines and profit margins are the natural outcomes of competitive prices of procurement.  
• Industry knowledge about processes, tax laws, and shipments makes wholesale cloth suppliers better than their retail counterparts. 

Staying ahead in the wholesale procurement game 

As a fashion brand, you are not the only one procuring wholesale fabrics at great price points. Your competitor is probably also making the same choices as you. So, how do you get ahead in the race for better deals and better quality in wholesale fabrics? Read on. 

Look for scalability in a supplier 

When ordering in bulk, it is wise to check the scalability of a wholesale cloth supplier. If you are ordering wholesale fabrics as a medium- to large-scale enterprise, you should run analytics on whether your supplier has the bench strength to scale up or down the order. Simply negotiating a deal based on the best quotation will leave you high and dry in case of a change in market demand or a disruption.  

Ask for return swatches from the supplier 

Whenever trading with a wholesale cloth supplier, always send swatches and ask for return swatches. A wholesaler may not have the color or the exact fabric you have sent but will send you the ones in his stock. This comparison helps give you an invaluable insight into two things: first, the quality and range of fabrics that are expected of a supplier, and second, suppliers' willingness to share swatches means they know how to do business and Are reliable. 

Run fabric tests; find out the stock position

After you have received the return swatches from the wholesale cloth merchant, make sure to test the fabric for color and material consistency before ordering in bulk. Sometimes, supplier batches that arrive after the order are placed can be different in color and texture from the ones sent as samples. Make sure to find out their stock position before placing your order. 

Check supplier background and geopolitical situation 

If you are procuring wholesale fabric from a different country, check out the business environment in the country. Find out from the experiences of competing firms if there is labor or civilian unrest. Run a supplier background check to find out their liquidity status and capital investment. You can ask the supplier directly or find out from accrediting agencies if the wholesale cloth seller is registered with one. 

Counter-sourcing with minimum order quantity 

Before placing a bulk order, keep a minimum order quantity that can be placed with a competing supplier as a backup plan. Most fashion brands are now diversifying their supplier portfolio after the China experience during the pandemic, which choked the supply lines and brought production to a standstill. 

Test the waters before taking the plunge 

Most medium-sized to large fashion brands opt for wholesale cloth traders for procuring materials for their line of clothes and accessories. Bulk orders can definitely make a difference to a company’s bottom lines. But isn’t your competition also thinking along the same lines?

To beat competing brands, some of whom may be procuring from the same wholesaler, fashion brands have to develop a set of protocols that do not exclusively rely on bargain deals to get their designs into production. You need to look for consistency and scalability in wholesale clothing suppliers as well. One must also insist on testing samples and counter swatches to be doubly sure if you are getting what you are ordering. 

Fashinza is a one-stop solution for all your clothing and apparel wholesale supplies. We bring the best trading partners connected through a global network to you at competitive price points.

Chat with us for sampling and procuring fabrics at wholesale prices. 

Key takeaways 

• There are several benefits of trading with a wholesale cloth dealer. Cost-effective procurement and swift turnaround time are among the critical benefits of trading with a wholesaler. 
• To get ahead of your competition in wholesale procurement it is important to look for flexibility in operations. Also, testing samples before placing a bulk order should be non-negotiable.