My Tips for Buying for Your Wholesale Store

If you’re wondering how to make buying for your wholesale store a little easier, more streamlined and even - wait for it - FUN, I have some tips which may help! It won’t surprise you to hear that, as with many aspects of running your own business, being organised is key! Beyond this, having a firm understanding of your budget and needs - while remaining flexible and open to new ideas - will also contribute to a successful buying experience.

At Knee High, our Summer Fashion selling period begins on the 17th of January. I look forward to seeing many of you during this busy time, and hope these tips help you get the most out of it.

A Little Bit of Homework…

A Little Bit of Homework…
One of the big differences between buying stock for your store which will fly off the shelves versus stock which will languish on a clearance table, is having a solid understanding of your customer, and the trends which are forecast for the near future in fashion, toys and accessories. Of course, ‘what’s hot’ is something we can discuss in person ( and is something which our brands are very aware of when creating their ranges), but in truth, nobody knows your customers like you do!

So, begin by analysing what has sold well in the past, and what hasn’t.  Know the price points your customers are comfortable paying in each category, and the quantities you can realistically expect to sell.  Speak to your VIP customers, or friends and relatives in the same demographic about what they’d love to see more of in your range.  Explore social media influencers in your space, and gauge what they - and their followers - are loving right now.  The more you know, the more accurate your buying will be!

Get Hands On...
Viewing samples in person is extremely important when buying stock for your store.  It allows you to touch and feel the products in person, see their colours in natural light as they really are, and to ask any questions you may have.  All feedback is vital not just for you, but for myself and the brands, as it assists in making improvements each season - so feel free to discuss your thoughts about collections openly.

Before You Arrive...
Let me know what brands you wish to order before you arrive, to make sure we have allocated enough time.  It’s also very important that you have a budget in mind - please note that you may have to pay upfront for the stock you order when it arrives or even pay a deposit when placing your order.
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On the Day...
Please ensure you arrive at your appointment on time, and be prepared with your top selling sizes, styles, and budget (see above point about homework!) This helps the appointment run smoothly and efficiently.  Appointments do run back to back,  so please advise if you are running late, and ensure you make note of the time allocated for your showing in your appointment confirmation email.
I encourage retailers to place orders on the day, as it saves your time and mine, but if you prefer to place orders before the close date, you will be provided with all of the information to do so. 
 
Indent Ordering vs. Stock ‘In Season’
Please note that all brands have different open and close dates.  It is essential to ensure that indent orders are placed by the cut-off date, as any orders received after this date cannot be guaranteed.
If you do not place an order on the day, and your order requires entry by myself, you must email me your orders 48 hours before the close date to allow me sufficient time to enter them, and for you to review and advise any errors or further changes.
By placing an indent order, your stock is made to order.  Brands require this for minimum order quantities. If these minimums are not met, you may find your favourite choices are cancelled.  It’s worth noting that these days, brands are producing less and less for in-season ordering.  It sometimes may be an option, but it cannot be guaranteed.  

A Few More Things to Note
Something to note with regards to budgeting for Summer fashion buying is that this season has the added option of swimwear.  Ensure your budget allows for this!
In terms of Knee High brands to watch out for, Crywolf are launching a Summer collection this season which is expected to be in high demand.  Alphabet Soup are launching their first Girls Collection for Winter stock, which is arriving in February 2022.  I’d advise allowing room in your budget for both of these exciting new collections if possible.

Be prepared, be confident in your buy, and ensure you purchase enough stock to get you through the season.  I look forward to guiding you through this process soon!