Dropshipping clothing
Most people who plan to start an online store want to sell clothes. The clothing market is large, with plenty of niches, suppliers, and advantages. Although clothing may not always be the easiest option to dropship, it offers many opportunities for new online retailers.
Inhoud:
Clothing is a billion-euro market
The online clothing market in Europe is a large and fast-growing part of ecommerce. In 2023, it was valued at 213 billion euros and grows by 7 to 10 percent annually, depending on the country. Although competition is fierce, the market still offers many opportunities for people that are interested in starting an online clothing business.
Popular categories include casual wear, sportswear, and sustainable fashion. Consumers increasingly value sustainability, preferring brands that use eco-friendly materials and production methods. There is also aa rising demand for locally produced clothes, especially in Western Europe.
Many online retailers sell clothing through dropshipping. This means the supplier ships the products directly, while you do not need to keep stock for your online store. This can save costs and storage space. Starting a clothing dropshipping store involves lower risks, though competition is high.
Looking for ecommerce software to start your own dropshipping store? Shopify provides plugins for many popular dropshipping suppliers and is designed to make managing your online store simple and efficient.
Choose a niche for your products
If you start dropshipping a limited selection in your online store, it is important to stand out from the competition. Due to lower profit margins, dropshipping branded clothing is often not feasible. That is why many successful online clothing retailers focus on a specific niche.
Think of running gear or swimwear. The more targeted your selection, the more likely you are to stand out. An only store offering only women’s or sportswear is still too broad. Instead, opt for a niche like animal-print socks or sustainable yoga wear. Research what makes your shop unique and why customers would choose your clothing or accessories.
Clothing dropshipping suppliers
Platforms where you can quickly find European wholesalers that offer clothing dropshipping include:
This b2b platform connects retailers with wholesalers with low purchasing thresholds and minimum purchases. Perfect for finding extra items or suppliers. With the dropshipping subscription you have no storage risks or fulfilment hassle: suppliers send items directly to your customers.
- dropshipping and wholesale in one platform
- true European brands
- local storage: fast delivery times
- options for exclusive partnerships
Printful works on a print-on-demand basis. They can print your designs on clothing, as well as bags, mugs and phone covers. In Europe, the company is situated in Latvia and Spain, which makes shipping within two to four days possible. It integrates with ecommerce software and marketplaces.
Large platform that offers over 100M+ products from European and United States suppliers, including fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. You get fast delivery, branded packaging, private label options and unique print-on-demand solutions. Suitable for both dropshipping and wholesale.
- beginner-friendly
- suppliers from Europe and the United States
- branded packaging and private label options
- automated inventory sync: keeps your store accurate
- offers a strong Shopify integration
- strong product research tools
Design and sell under your own brand with print on demand clothing and custom branding. You get private label options such as custom neck labels, packaging and size labels. The platform handles its own production and ships worldwide. Average delivery time in Europe: 8 to 14 days.
- integrates with Shopify and other ecommerce platforms
- build your own clothing brand without holding inventory
- focus on streetwear and premium apparel
- no or low minimum order quantities
- printed fulfillment from Los Angeles, USA
The Italian wholesaler B2B GRIFFATI offers several designer brands, including some exclusive fashion brands from Europe. With the dropshipping-plugin of Sync2Fashion you can easily add the products into your Shopify-store on, without the need for a warehouse or logistic management.
Provides access to a database of over 8,000 wholesalers, nearly half of which offer dropshipping. If you give more deeply into the database you can find strong local European suppliers as well. With the starter plan, you can import up to 200 products per month.
- over 100K retailers work with this platform
- browse through more than 2,5 million products
- Insights tools for market and product research
- founded in 2005, located in Christchurch, New Zealand
Platform that combines multiple suppliers. Offers dropshipping with no subscription fees and optional white label shipping. Strong in fashion, jewelry, and beauty products. Fast delivery from US and UK warehouses. Shipments from China often take a bit longer.
- direct integration with Shopify and WooCommerce
- private labeling with no minimum order quantity
B2b platform where retailers and resellers can buy branded overstock and clearance items, often with large discounts on wholesale prices. It offers direct access to both new items, b-grade goods and secondhand goods, from popular brands through a simple digital order process.
- apparel, shoes, bags, and sportswear
- trading surplus inventory
- details of products in the product descriptions
- low or no minimum order quantity
One stop supply chain solution with product sourcing, order fulfillment, tracking, and after sales for dropshipping Chinese products. Strong in apparel, consumer electronics, health and beauty, and outdoor categories.
- integrations with TikTok, Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce
- database with more than 670,000 items
- partnerships with local manufacturers
- daily shipping volume of 25,000 to 50,000 orders
Since dropshipping suppliers ship the clothing, it is essential for your business to ensure that they are reliable. Consider ordering a few products for yourself. This allows you to check the quality of the clothing and the shipping process.
Do the products arrive undamaged? Is the delivery time as expected? Customers prefer to receive their orders within one or a few business days, but shipments from international suppliers may take longer. You should also read reviews about the supplier before making a final choice.
For dropshipping suppliers outside Europe, delivery can sometimes take weeks or even months. Make sure the expected delivery time is clearly stated on your website. Choosing a European supplier ensures shorter delivery times, although their products are often slightly more expensive than those from Chinese suppliers.
Keep your assortment consistent
Do not copy your wholesaler’s full range. Choose products that match, like similar materials, styles, or brands. Focus on a niche and check what is popular right now. A shop selling both formal wear and overalls can look messy.
A clear and consistent assortment makes your shop look professional and shows customers that you understand their needs.
At Printful, you can build a product range by printing your own designs on various items. This is perfect for collaborating with influencers or as a first step toward creating your own brand.
Keep up with fashion trends
Customer behaviors are very seasonal in the fashion market. Make sure your online shop does not offer winter products in summer. One advantage of dropshipping is that you will not have leftover stock at the end of a season. By adjusting to each season, you can boost your sales.
Even if you focus on a specific niche, it is important to track market trends. Some colors or patterns might be popular one season but lose appeal the next. Check what consumers are searching for on Google, and watch platforms like Pinterest or Instagram to spot new clothing trends quickly.
Create a strong marketing strategy
Consumers are often skeptical about dropshipping. This is usually because of the well-known long delivery times, or because the clothing is also available on Chinese marketplaces which they can order on their own. If you work with a local or at least European supplier, you do not have these disadvantages. However, you will need to convince your customers of this first.
Show them that your strategy is solid. A great way to build trust is by sharing customer reviews. Success stories can quickly make your business appear reliable. Even negative reviews can help—demonstrate how you address and resolve complaints.
Use customers in your marketing
Ask your customers to post photos of your products on social media. This gives visitors who are new to your dropshipping store a clear idea of what your products look like in real life. You can also follow accounts yourself to gather inspiration.
Once you have chosen a niche, search for it on social media. Visit inspiration accounts on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest and follow them. Consider collaborating with other business accounts to highlight your products. Additionally, there are many Facebook groups that match your niche. Join these groups and let people know about your online clothing store to quickly attract new visitors.
Carefully select social media accounts or groups to partner with!
You can also reach out to influencers about your clothing. When they wear your products, your reach increases rapidly. Influencers are often interested in selling their own brand too. You might even partner with them to launch a brand via your suppliers, which you can then sell in your online store.
Sell clothing on marketplaces
Many online store owners also sell their products on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. This helps you reach a larger audience. Discuss with your dropshipping supplier whether it is possible to integrate their products with a marketplace. This way, you can reach more customers with your brand, and your supplier gets an even greater chance of making sales.
