Need guidance in running an online clothing store?
Buying Ready made garments for starting your own line does not work. Why? because how are you going to make a profit if you buy a pre-made apparel at wholesale when you want to start selling wholesale to stores???Example: even at below wholesale a T-Shirt $1.85 your printing or logo (embroidery) $1.00 now this t-shirt cost you $2.85 without your company labels, price tags or hang tags now add your price tags and hang tags and bar codes (if the store requests it, and most do for scanning purposes) now this same t-shirt at below wholesale is costing you close to retail price. Same goes for purchasing fabric, sewing your own apparel, tags, labels....etc...etc....O.K. Here it goes. My two cents on getting started.Most people will not give you some of the information I am about to share with you.Just a few things to keep in mind. First you need to decide if you want to outsource which is what we do. Outsourcing is much cheaper than buying pre-made clothing, fabric or spending your time sewing. Especially if you do not know how to sew. (You want to concentrate your time in selling your items not making them)First you need to know how much is the cost per unit? Unit meaning pieces per style.$3-$5.00 a unit??? does it include hang tags, company label, price tags, bar code and polybag.Will it be shipped all together or will it be boxed by style, size or combination of both.Then you need to add your shipping cost.the cost manufacturing company will charge to ship items to you.Freight or airway?? (FOB) airway is more expensive but you will get your items quicker.Then there is customs duty.Depends on the fabric and customs code.Usually $16.5% of the invoice. but can go up to 19% depending on the country you are importing from.If you are ordering more than $2,000 you will also, need a broker as customs will not release your items without an entry on invoices more than $2000 and a broker will provide the customs entry forms as well as making sure your order is released from customs.So, you will need to add $150-$200 for brokers fees.See http://www.cbp.gov for details.Then you will have to add expenses....Cost of internet service if you are selling on line.Cost of electricity, etc...etc... (Cost of running your company)Cost of storage if any.Payroll (paying employees if any or paying yourself)You get the picture.I hope that this has helped. Oh, by the way that T-Shirt I was writing about above, cost us less than $3.00 per unit including all company design, labels, hang tags, bar codes, polybag and shipping cost. Don't make the same mistakes I did when I first got started. It will cost you!If you have any questions we are happy to help as we were exactly were you are now several years ago.We can also help with all your manufacturing needs as we deal with several respectable manufacturing companies.Visit us at http://www.sobawear.com for samples of some of our products.Mr. SobaSOBAWEAR, LLChttp://www.sobawear.com
|