Intro
If you are running an e-commerce fashion business, you are likely facing many different demands from online store management to customer service and inventory management.
There are many moving parts that help contribute to a successful e-commerce company. However, above everything else stands the products that you’re selling. This is why it is vital that you are working with a suitable manufacturing partner that allows for a smooth product supply that is tailored to your specific business model.
You may already be working with a garment manufacturer, but there could be frequent issues in terms of price, lead-time, or quality. You may be looking to replace a former supplier or to expand into a new line of clothing and you need the expertise of a niche manufacturer.
A difficult process
In these times of Alibaba and an overload on online marketplaces, you may struggle to sift through the thousands of different options that are out there today in terms of suppliers. Whatever the case may be, you likely want the selection process to be a lot more efficient and effective.
Having the right supplier on board can eliminate a lot of headaches for a fashion e-commerce brand. You can have peace of mind that your products will always be of a certain quality and there will be an efficient production cycle. As you are not chasing up delays and bottlenecks, you can focus on other parts of the business and more accurately plan ahead. The overall consistency in the quality of your garments will also be obvious to your customers, adding to the reputation of your business and developing brand loyalty.
There are many different factors to consider when you are looking to get on board with a strong supplier. To help you along with the selection process, you need to look at the key areas which make your particular business tick.
While every company will have its own specific situation to consider, there will also be some commonalities seen across the boardto ensure that a fashion e-commerce brand performs strongly. What value does the perfect supplier offer to an e-commerce fashion company?
Fast and Flexible
As an e-commerce brand, you want to make sure that you have a reliable and fast delivery system in place. This allows you to keep customers happy when they order. A clear sign that an e-commerce business is doing well if its stock turnover is increasing. It may indicate that you need to increase your order volumes from your supplier.
You want to ensure that there is a fast replenishment of inventory to make sure that there is little to no lag that leads to certain popular items being unavailable to customers for a period of time. This requires a well-functioning stock management system, allowing you to look into the future and clearly see what stock you need to order today.
Working with a supplier that guarantees short lead-times will be ideal for quickly reacting to new trends and launching a new line of products. It will also help you to quickly replace inventory. Fast and reliable shipping is of course necessary to take advantage of short lead times.
If you work with a supplier that understands the importance of a reliable stock management system, this will help even more. In order to keep a track of everything, you should have a go-to contact who can be reached if any issues arise.
Focusing on Quality
Of course, having a variety of different products will usually help. Focusing on a handful of products often pays off a lot more than trying to spread yourself too thin with tons of different product lines. There should be no slippage in terms of quality level, everything should be consistent and of a high standard.
Having a manufacturer that consistently delivers a high-quality end product is also very important. This helps you implement brand consistency and customers will know that they will always be getting a great piece of clothing. The personnel, experience, technology and quality management system in place at a given factory will all contribute to the end-quality of clothing.
As well as delivering on your vision, many of the top manufacturers will even improve certain aspects through their on-point product development. Most suppliers will be happy to produce numerous samples to make sure that every last detail is taken care of before you go into bulk production.
Right Price
Another important factor for your e-commerce business is the price point, you need to have your items priced at a level that allows you to cover your costs and have a sufficient profit margin. The price point also needs to be within the desired range for your given target market.
Even if the clothes look and feel great, you still have to make sure that the cost makes sense in terms of your margins. While you will normally have to pay a bit more for higher quality garments, you should still aim to get a good price. This includes being fully aware of all potential hidden costs and charges.
There is almost always scope for negotiation to ensure that you can find the best price that is reasonable and fair to both parties. This can help set the relationship off on the right foot, creating a positive environment for a long-term level of cohesiveness.
Good Relationship
Finally, you want to make sure that a given supplier communicates efficiently and effectively. While English might not be the first language for some suppliers, it is important that they clearly understand your exact needs. It is also vital that you don’t rush into a relationship without first doing your homework.
Take a look at the other brands that the manufacturer is currently working with and has done in the past. Oftentimes, the lack of re-orders at a given supplier can be a warning sign that there is some issue. Good brand references for the manufacturer can give you a useful indication about the quality and standards when working with the given supplier.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of different reasons why it is highly important for a fashion e-commerce business to find the right supplier. Failure to do so can lead to a lot of headaches, and wasted resources, energy, and money.
While the process of sifting through the thousands and thousands of different manufacturers can be daunting, Topformer does the hard work for you. The company’s digital approach matches fashion brands and garment manufacturers together depending on the exact needs. During this process, Topformer considers all of the expectations in terms of price, lead-time, minimum order quantities, and quality.
Without having to hire or rely on a dedicated team, Topformer improves your sourcing situation. This saves you a significant amount of time that can be better spent focusing on other areas of your business.
