Late Summer Apparel Buying Guide

Late summer and fall apparel buying has begun as retailers gear up for the summer trade show season and Las Vegas Fashion Week, culminating with New York Fashion Week in September. In the coming months, there are plenty of opportunities to snatch up mid-season deals to restock your shelves and get ahead with buys for the new season.

Soak Up the Sales

Now that we’re in the heat of summer, it is easy to see which trends are truly taking off and which ones might have missed the boat. In addition to being able to make more targeted purchases, you can likely get better deals on warm-weather products. Taking advantage of last-minute looks and higher margins is an easy way to keep your sales coasting through Labor Day.

Getting Wind of Winter

Fall fashion week back in April shed some light on trends to come this fall. Oversized shearling, beige, and muted floral patterns took the stage in most major collections. In addition to clearing out remaining summer inventory, wholesale suppliers are starting to debut fall product lines.

Even if you’re not ready to make the plunge on trends for the upcoming season, it’s a good idea to start your merchandise buying early to spread out the cash flow burden and make sure you’re stocked in time for the back-to-school rush. Unlike the summer season which is known for riskier looks and bolder colors, fall styles tend to remain classic. As the weather gets colder, customers look for comforting staples like denim, cashmere, and flannel in neutral and jewel-toned shades.

Tools of the Trade

The next two months are jam-packed with shows and exhibits for retailers to snag deals on wholesale pricing and get inspiration for the final months of 2017. Here is the scoop on some of Independent Retailer’s favorite sources: