If you’re just getting started in eCommerce, you may be finding it impossible to get big brands to contract with your store. You’re not alone. Finding good suppliers is tricky.
But, other small stores carry major brands, sell them to happy customers and earn a tidy margin. So what is their secret?
Major apparel brands contract with master distributors (sometimes referred to as wholesalers) and big retailers. Think of master distributors as the “middleman” between the brand and your growing store. They’ll take a little off your margins, but they’re your best way to reliably carry the big brands your customers want and are already buying.
Contracting with a master distributor is easy. Most offer easy sign-ups on their website, and some will require some details about your store. Some will extend your new store credit, meaning you can start holding physical inventory before paying for it.
This is my personal list of the top 5 apparel master distributors, along with the top brands each carries. Each of them give lifestyle images you can use on your store and S&S Activeware has a customizable catalogue feature you can use to send your customers eCatalogues.
S&S Activeware
ssactivewear.com
Top brands:
adidas, American Apparel, Champion, Columbia, Gildanalphabroder
alphabroder.com
Top brands:
American Apparel, Champion, Columbia, Gildan, Next Level ApparelSanMar
sanmar.com
Top brands:
Carhartt, Champion, Nike, The North Face, Tommy Bahama