You may not know this but plus size is the most commonly worn dress size amongst women. Size 14, or the plus size women apparel market is diverse and holds a huge potential. So if you are someone who is planning to enter a women's clothing business, then this is the niche you must focus on. The wide range of options ranging from lingerie to workout apparel, the market is all set for you to explore and exploit. With the right approach and a business plan, it is only a matter of time when your store will start fetching you some serious profits!
That being said, in this article we will share some tips to help you get started with your clothing business.
Where to buy plus size clothing for business?
Plus size clothing business is less competitive but on the flip side, it is difficult to find the right place for finding good quality clothing suppliers. Some of the top options are -
- Wholesale suppliers - When it comes to plus size clothing suppliers, you need to consider your MOQ. If you would like to keep minimum inventory then you can work with wholesale suppliers. It will not only give you better profit margin with bulk discount but also give you multiple options.
- Dropshippers - One of the most favorite options for plus size clothing business is dropshipping suppliers. The best part is you pay on a per order basis and shipping is taken care of. Some of the providers also offer white label services.
- Direct manufacturers - If you have deep pockets and are willing to risk big inventory then you can work with clothing manufacturers.
- Online marketplaces - Another place for finding plus size clothing business suppliers is online marketplaces. There are multiple online marketplaces where you can buy plus-size fashion from retailers at a discounted price.
5 Tips for Plus Size Clothing Business (from industry experts)
To help you better run a plus size clothing business, we have put together some unique tips and tricks from our in-house team and from retail partners.
1. Research your marketplace
Before starting a clothing business, you need to research your marketplace well. It will not only help you save time on testing new items but also give you an upper-hand in your niche. There are many tools like Google Trends or KwFinder that you can use for checking out basic trends or low competition niche.
Next there are various product sourcing apps that pick out trending products. For clothing products, you need to focus on both the fabric quality as well as the design. There are many plus size clothing retailers that combine their designs with pet animals for higher sales. Similarly you can test specific niche or category for the fashion.
As is with any business, before you take a nosedive into it, you must carefully research the industry and define your niche. In this case, it is safe to assume that you want to enter the plus size clothing business. Having said that, study the plus size fashion industry, both online and offline retailers. Your research will reveal what is currently available in the market and what is trending right now. But most importantly, you will be able to ascertain if you should set up an online store or set up a retail shop.
2. Get the legal documents
Before you start running a business, educate yourself about how to acquire a license to conduct business in your area. You should also inform yourself about the local laws to run your clothing business online and offline. This research will help you file for taxes and meet other legal responsibilities required to run your store smoothly.
Whether you are selling with a brick and mortar store, or an online boutique, you need to check on a few quick documents based on your locations. For starters, here are some basic documents for USA sellers -
- EIN - Employer identification number is necessary if you have a big team then you need this for your taxation. However, if you are sole proprietor then the social security number would be enough.
- ITIN - If you are non-US based then you will need an individual tax identification number.
- Seller permit - Seller license or resale permit is another document you will need.
- DBA - Lastly if you are doing business as a name that is different than the owner’s name, then you need to get a DBA (doing business as).
3. Select your vendors with care
When you are finding a clothing vendor, consider things like online ratings, reviews, refund policies, shipping time, and trustworthiness. It is best to start with a test order so you can evaluate the things like product quality, shipping, and so on.
Success of your business from this point onwards depends on the reliability of your vendors. You need to find Plus Size Wholesale Vendors who can ensure that your supply chain never runs dry. They should provide you with the latest stock as and when you need them. They should also have favorable payment terms as well as delivery timelines. Research the vendors and enquire about the product acquisition process. Understanding these costs will help you determine how much you need to break even and make a profit.
4. Improve your shipping time
Many dropshipping suppliers use regular shipping which takes 10-15 days to fulfill a domestic order. To fix this you need to work with suppliers that have domestic warehousing. Alternatively, opt for a faster shipping option even if it costs a part of your profit. This will impact your brand sales in the long run.
5. Use the right marketing strategy
Last piece of advice for plus size clothing business stores is to select the right marketing strategy. You can use influencer marketing, paid ads, or organic, but what’s more important is to test the strategy that performs the best
You can use a link tracker with custom domain to know which marketing strategy is driving the most sales. You can also work with a marketing expert for getting initial sales.
Before you open your store, make sure you have all the bases covered such as things about managing your finances, cost of running your business, detailing your target audience, their buying preferences etc. This information will help you define the correct steps to market your business and make it into a successful one.
Use all these tips together to strategically plan your clothing business and to run it successfully. Make sure you have a solid business plan and reliable vendors before starting.
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