Here are some practical ways to discover profitable wholesale items that will keep your customers coming back for more.

Social proof and user-generated content (UGC) can provide invaluable insights into what’s trending in your store. Here’s how to leverage them effectively:

• Customer reviews: Look at the reviews customers leave on competitors’ websites or social media. Positive feedback on specific items, especially when multiple customers mention the same products, can signal that these items are in high demand. 
• Photos and tags: Examine photos and tags shared by customers on social media like Instagram stories, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts. If you see a particular item being tagged frequently or showcased in numerous posts, it might be trending. 
• Hashtags and mentions: Pay attention to hashtags and mentions related to clothing products. For example, if you notice a rise in hashtags like #StreetStyle or #MinimalistFashion, it might indicate growing interest in those styles.

Exploring international markets can uncover trends that haven’t yet reached your local area.  

Here’s how to make the most of global fashion trends:

• Research international fashion weeks: Keep an eye on fashion weeks held in major cities around the world, such as Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. These events often set the stage for upcoming trends. If a particular style or color palette is prominent on the runway, it might be worth incorporating these trends into your product offerings.
• Explore popular international eCommerce sites: Look at popular global eCommerce platforms like ASOS, Zalando, or Farfetch. These sites often showcase the latest international trends and can provide inspiration for your own inventory. 
• Monitor international social media influencers: Follow influencers and fashion bloggers from different countries. Their style choices and the products they promote can offer insights into what might become popular in your market. 
• Evaluate global sales data: Use tools and reports that offer insights into global fashion sales and trends. Platforms like Statista can provide data on what’s selling well in various regions.

Staying updated with industry news and fashion reports is crucial for anticipating trends and making informed decisions. Here’s how to stay in the loop:

• Follow fashion news outlets: Subscribe to fashion news websites and magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and WWD. These sources often cover the latest trends, designer collaborations, and market shifts. 
• Subscribe to trend forecasting services: Use trend forecasting services like WGSN or Trendstop. These services provide in-depth analysis and predictions about upcoming trends, colors, and styles. 

Taking a closer look at your competitors can reveal valuable insights. Start by visiting their stores, both online and offline, and observe their product range.

Are there popular items they’re missing out on? This could be your chance to fill the gap.

Look for recurring complaints or suggestions. If customers are frequently asking for a particular product or feature, consider adding it to your own inventory.

For example, if your competitors heavily focus on casual wear but lack variety in formal attire, adding stylish dresses and suits to your collection could attract a new customer base.

Also, compare prices across different stores. This can help you determine a competitive pricing strategy that maximizes profitability while appealing to customers. 

To complement your research, use tools for a more comprehensive view. 

Google Trends is an excellent tool for discovering popular search queries on a global and local scale.

By entering specific fashion-related keywords, you can see interest in particular styles or products. 

For example, if you notice an uptick in searches for “Bottega shoes,” it indicates that people have been searching for this query quite a lot which might point to a growing consumer interest in this product.

If you take a look down the memory lane of fashion, you’ll easily come to the conclusion that dresses have never gone out of style. 

Women’s trousers didn’t become popular until the 1930s and 40s, making dresses and skirts the only clothing item available to women before that period. 

Nowadays, retailers worldwide make staggering figures by selling this iconic fashion piece. With a current global revenue of 100 billion USD, the dress segment of the apparel market is certainly something to consider when making your product selection.

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full dresses collection.

Tops are another promising item that can bring you significant profits. 

Taking into account the fact that they’re one of the most worn clothing pieces, rest assured that your customers will certainly demand a cool summery t-shirt during the hottest months of the year and a nice warm sweater for the winter period.  

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full tops collection.

With all the latest pant trends coming back to fashion, this apparel item is greatly demanded by shoppers worldwide. 

According to Statista, the pants segment has a current revenue of over 120 billion USD, which makes it among the top-selling ones. 

That being said, you won’t regret stocking up your store with both good old-fashioned and newly trending quality trousers.

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full pants collection.

Regardless if they’re needed for a special occasion or work purposes, suits and blazers are one of those apparel items that everyone should have in their closet as you never know when they may come in handy. 

Taking into account the fact that power suits have become a major thing nowadays, your customers will be pleased to know that you’re able to supply them with simple but nicely tailored suits.

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full suits and blazers collection.

Jackets aren’t only used as a protective layer but are also highly fashionable pieces of clothing that can effortlessly pull up a look together. 

As a result, customers are always on the lookout for a new coat, blazer, or simple denim or leather jacket that can complete their outfits. 

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full jacket collection.

Considered to be one of the highest-earning segments of the apparel industry, shoes, in particular designer shoes, can certainly be put in the group of most profitable clothing pieces. 

This fact can be supported by looking at the market’s global revenue which amounts to over 400 billion USD. 

However, this number should come as no surprise since shoes are regarded as an essential item in everyone’s wardrobe.

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full shoes collection.

Despite women being very loyal handbag customers in particular, when we talk about bags in general, the customer audience is much broader as everyone at some point has needed a well-made bag whether for traveling or everyday purposes. 

Statista reports that the luggage and bag segment has so far generated an income of over 180 billion USD, thus, making this category quite popular among shoppers.

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full bag collection.

Outfits can often look incomplete without a few pieces of jewelry to give them the necessary finishing touches. 

Therefore, jewelry pieces will always have a permanent place in the apparel market. 

What can you buy at BrandsGateway?

Check out the full jewelry collection.

Clarify the types of products you plan to offer. 

Will your inventory include casual wear, activewear, or formal attire? 

Having clearly defined products you plan on selling will identify suppliers much quicker.

For instance, if you decide to specialize in luxury apparel, you’ll need to focus on sourcing designer clothing and look only for suppliers that offer such items.

Establishing a pricing strategy involves considering the cost of goods, market demand, competitor pricing, as well as profit margins.

For instance, if you sell designer dresses, you’ll want to take into consideration the prices your competitors are offering but also the wholesale price you’re paying your supplier. 

If your supplier offers designer dresses for $100 a piece and a recommended retail price of $350, that leaves you with a profit margin of 70%.

Before you start buying wholesale clothing products, it’s crucial to find reliable suppliers who offer quality merchandise at competitive prices. 

Quality and price are the cornerstones of successful wholesale sourcing, so thorough research is essential.

Begin simply by going on Google and searching for queries like “best wholesale clothing suppliers.”

From there, visit reputable online directories such as Wholesale Central. These websites usually connect you with a vast array of suppliers from around the world, allowing you to compare products, prices, and reviews. 

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of professional networking. Platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit are excellent for obtaining recommendations from other retailers. 

By focusing on essential categories such as the ones we’ve mentioned above, you ensure a well-rounded inventory that meets diverse customer needs. 

Partnering with reliable suppliers and staying updated on market trends will further enhance your store’s appeal and profitability. 

With a strategic approach to product selection and sourcing, you can build a compelling product range that drives sales and satisfies your customers’ fashion desires.