Clothing Wholesalers

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Hello everyone,

Am looking to start my own business selling clothes, shoes, handbags......etc. I am a stay at home mum and want to run an online clothes shop. My question is, does anyone know how I can get products on wholesale from high street retailers like M&S (I love their bras, night wear, underwear.....etc), Zara, Next.......etc. Most businesses I guess order from China or Turkey but I feel that would require so much money that I don't have. I would like to get from our high street shops cos I know the quality. Any advise will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

You want to bulk buy high st clothes to sell yourself? You'd have to charge more than the originals to make profit? Not sure why people would buy from you rather than the original shops?

@Thelastlightbulb I forgot to mention, I want to buy and ship them out abroad where these brands aren't existent but people know the brands.

But people there could still shop on the brand's website though surely?

High street retailers won’t sell wholesale, full stop, let alone to a start up online retailer. They need to be able to control their brand image, etc. And they just don’t need to sell wholesale because they already make a healthy margin selling at higher prices directly to the public.

You said China/Turkey would require too much money but that would actually be cheaper than buying “wholesale” from a U.K. retailer anyway? Or do you mean you want to be a middle man only buying stock from M&S (for example) when orders have already come to you?

It’s true you won’t be able to sell say M&S’s bags wholesale because they will have exclusive contracts with manufacturers to supply them.
Try the Spring Fair/ Autumn Fair at the N.E.C or other giftware/fasionware wholesale trade fair shows to find wholesalers.

@Xoxoxoxoxoxox thanks a lot. Will have a look.

China has the best value. You can get it at the lowest prices. Been to China before and met a few supplier (overseas apparel manufacturers). They do have a decent quality of men's clothing. You can also try alibaba.

You want to buy Xara and M and S stuff and sell it in areas where they don’t sell these items?

Both M and S and Zara are global brands though.

You won’t be able to find a wholesaler as both M and S and Zara are vertical businesses and produce all their own stuff in factories that only manufacture for them. There is no wholesale bit, goods are contracted, manufactured and shipped to store direct from manufacturers.

You can buy other stuff wholesale, but it will also probably be global too.

Next are also a vertical brand l think.

Wouldn't you be better selling on somewhere like vinted or depop, see how you get on? you could start small, buy from local charity shops, and sell on there, see how you get on? You wouldn't need to spend a lot up front, so the risk would be a lot lower than trying to buy in bulk from abroad, spend thousands and end up with stock you cant sell?

Don't forget to allow for the cost of returns when considering margins - selling clothes online can be a faff because of this and you have to cover at least one lot of postage (see Consumer Contracts Regulations and learn your responsibilities - many online sellers haven't a clue) even if the buyer pays to return them.

It's sometimes possible to buy de-labelled high street brands (see eBay sellers selling 'ex M&S' etc) - but again, finding them at a price that leaves a decent profit is not easy.

I have done ok selling used clothing online in the past (as a main income for a while) but tbh it's not what it used to be. The charity shop suggestion above might be a good way to dip your toe.

There are loads of clothing wholesalers in all the big cities. Google, then go visiting them. Pock one or two who sell the type of clothes you want to sell. You will be able to buy in much smaller quantities than going to China direct. That will be for the future when you have built up your customer base.

great wholesalers in the UK try them

like Nicole Collection if you’re still looking

www.nicolecollection.co.uk