Buying wholesale fashion stock can be a great business opportunity… or a source of losses if you don’t know what you’re doing.
At Tekstila, we’ve worked with hundreds of stores and marketplaces. And while every business is unique, many make the same mistakes when starting out.
Here are the most common ones — and more importantly, how to avoid them:
1. Buying Without Knowing Your Customer
Mistake: Buying items “because they’re trendy” without knowing if your audience actually wants or needs them.
Solution: Analyze your past sales, look at your audience’s style, and consider your sales channel (physical store, online shop, or social media).
2. Choosing Only by Price
Mistake: Buying the cheapest lot without checking quality, brands, condition, or variety.
Solution: Evaluate the value, not just the cost. A premium lot can bring higher profit margins and fewer returns.
3. Not Understanding Stock Types
Mistake: Not knowing the difference between continuity stock, seasonal, premium, or clearance stock.
Solution: Understand which type best fits your business model. For example: boutiques focus on quality and branding; marketplaces value variety and fast turnover.
4. Ignoring Sizes and Assortment
Mistake: Buying without checking whether the lot is balanced in sizes or types of garments.
Solution: Always ask for a breakdown of the assortment and make sure it matches your target market.
5. Buying Without Vetting the Supplier
Mistake: Relying on a supplier with no references, no real catalog, or unclear terms.
Solution: Work with trustworthy companies that offer guidance and transparency — like we do at Tekstila.
6. Not Calculating Total Costs
Mistake: Forgetting to factor in transport, taxes, or storage when calculating profitability.
Solution: Do a full cost analysis before purchasing. A “cheap” deal can end up being expensive if you don’t crunch the numbers.
Starting a retail business with fashion stock is a great way to enter the industry.
But like any business, preparation and knowledge are what make the difference between success and costly mistakes.
Need help choosing the right stock for your store or project?
Get in touch — we’ll help you make smarter choices.
