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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.