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Step 1
Decide whether you want to be a general clothing wholesaler or specialize in a niche. As a general clothing wholesaler, you sell clothes of all sizes for men, women and children. As a niche wholesaler, you will specialize in one area. Your decision here will determine how you set up your wholesale clothing business.
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Step 2
Locate clothing distributors and manufacturers in your area and contact them. You can do this through Yellowpages.com (see Resources). Ask for brochures and price lists for their merchandise. Visit their warehouses and buy sample items. This will allow you to determine if their merchandise meets your quality standards. Speak with the owners or managers and find out how to order from them in bulk. Each distributor or manufacturer will have a different minimum ordering quantity. Be sure to understand what that is. Ask about their return policy, restocking fees, shipping, ordering deadlines and quality guarantees. Complete wholesale applications where applicable.
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Step 3
Visit other wholesalers in your area. Speak to the owners and managers to determine their pricing structures. Compare the quality and price of clothing they have in stock with the samples you received from your manufacturers and distributors. This will ensure you don't stock inferior merchandise, pay too much for your merchandise or price yourself out of your market.
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Step 4
Visit clothing retailers in your area; these are your customers. Introduce your business and establish a business relationship with them. Begin with locally owned retail stores. They are easier to work with and can order merchandise immediately. Be sure to have samples of your merchandise and your price list available for immediate sales.
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Step 5
Start small and add merchandise to your wholesale clothing business as you grow. This way you are not stuck with outdated merchandise, and you are able to manage your business easily.
