Want to stock your retail store with sweatshirts that sell?
Choosing the right wholesale sweatshirts to buy and stock can make or break your business. The apparel industry is booming and with the latest industry stats from Uniform Market showing U.S. sales are expected to reach $365.7 billion by 2025, there has never been a better time to get it right.
The Problem:
Not all wholesale sweatshirts are made equal. Source the wrong supplier or miss the quality markers and you’ll get yourself stuck with returns, complaints and dead stock taking up your warehouse space.
In this guide, I’ll show you EXACTLY how to choose quality wholesale sweatshirts that keep customers coming back for more.
What’s inside:
- What Makes A Quality Wholesale Sweatshirt?
- Fabric Weight & Material Breakdown
- Construction Details That Matter
- Finding The Right Wholesale Supplier
- Pricing Strategy For Maximum Profit
What Makes A Quality Wholesale Sweatshirt?
Quality wholesale sweatshirts start with knowing the difference between good and great.
Sourcing the right bulk sweatshirts wholesale for your retail operation involves a few key quality indicators. These markers determine whether a sweatshirt can stand up to repeated wear and multiple washings or if it will fall apart after the first one. All of your wholesale sweatshirts and hoodies have to meet these standards if you want to create repeat customers.
Key Quality Markers:
- Fabric weight and composition
- Stitching quality and overall construction
- Proper sizing consistency
- Colorfastness and shrinkage control
Here’s a thing to consider…
Your customers aren’t buying sweatshirts to wear once or twice. They’re shopping for quality, comfort and fit. A good sweatshirt or hoodie in the right style is something that keeps customers coming back to your store over and over again. This is why quality matters.
Fabric Weight & Material Breakdown
Here’s a little secret that most retailers don’t consider…
Fabric weight matters more than you think. It’s measured in GSM (grams per square meter) or ounces. This number alone can make or break how a sweatshirt feels, wears and ultimately, how well it sells.
Let’s break this down.
Understanding Fabric Weights
- Lightweight (200-250 GSM): Best for layering and warmer weather. Great for spring and fall wholesale sweatshirts.
- Midweight (250-300 GSM): The sweet spot for most retailers. Comfortable and durable without being too heavy.
- Heavyweight (300+ GSM): The real heavyweight champions. Made for maximum durability in cold weather conditions. These are premium priced, but they deliver serious quality.
Material Composition
The fabric composition and blend makes a HUGE difference. Here are the most popular material blends.
- 100% Cotton: Breathable and comfortable, but prone to shrinkage. Ideal for customers who prioritize natural fabrics.
- Cotton/Polyester Blend: The most popular fabric for wholesale sweatshirts and hoodies. Usually 80/20 or 50/50 blends that offer great durability with comfort.
- French Terry: A lighter weight fabric with smooth exterior and looped interior. Perfect for athletic or athleisure collections.
- Fleece: Soft, warm and cozy. The go-to fabric for winter and cold-weather retail.
Construction Details That Matter
Want to know what separates a quality wholesale sweatshirt from a cheap one?
It’s all in the construction.
Stitching Quality
First up, check the seams. Quality sweatshirts feature double-needle stitching on the shoulders and armholes for added strength. Reinforced stress points, consistent stitch density throughout the garment, and no loose threads or skipped stitches. The stitching should be invisible unless you’re looking for it.
Ribbing & Cuffs
The ribbing on cuffs, waistbands, and necklines should have good stretch recovery. Give it a little press. Does it spring back into shape? Quality ribbing regains its shape after multiple washes.
Sizing Consistency
This one’s huge…
Nothing angers your customers more than inconsistent sizing. When you’re ordering your wholesale sweatshirts, make sure to request a sample pack in all the sizes you plan to order. Compare the measurements to the spec sheet. Quality suppliers keep tight tolerances and consistency between sizes.
Finding The Right Wholesale Supplier
Not all wholesale suppliers are made equal. If you’ve heard the latest statistics that show 58% of consumers still prefer to shop in-store rather than online, then you know how important the right inventory is to the success of your store. Your supplier needs to be able to deliver on quality, consistency and reliability.
Here’s what to look for:
Minimum Order Quantities
Watch out for suppliers who require huge MOQs to keep you locked in and your cash flow tied up. Look for wholesale suppliers with flexible ordering options. Ones that can work with your retail demands.
Sample Programs
Always order samples. Always. This can’t be said enough. Quality suppliers have sample programs so you can test drive the merchandise before you place your first order. Order more if necessary. This is how you know you’re working with a quality supplier.
Turnaround Time
Fashion moves fast these days. Your wholesale supplier has to keep up. Ask about:
- Production lead times for standard orders
- Rush order options and costs
- Restocking speed for hot products
Return & Quality Guarantee Policies
What happens if you receive a faulty order? Suppliers who stand behind their product have clear return policies and quality guarantees.
Pricing Strategy For Maximum Profit
Now here’s where it gets fun…
Quality wholesale sweatshirts cost more to buy upfront. The good news is they’ll sell faster and generate far fewer returns, giving you higher overall margins.
Understanding Wholesale Pricing
Wholesale sweatshirt pricing usually works on a tiered basis.
- Small orders (12-48 pieces): Highest per-unit cost
- Medium orders (49-144 pieces): Mid-range pricing
- Large orders (144+ pieces): Best pricing per unit
Work out your ideal retail markup. Standard retail mark up for apparel items is between 2.2x and 2.5x wholesale cost. Quality pieces in premium segments can command even higher markups.
Quality vs. Price Balance
Don’t go crazy on price. Your customers shopping for sweatshirts and hoodies value quality and fit above rock bottom prices. Position your wholesale sweatshirts and hoodies as quality pieces worth the investment.
Try this approach…
- Stock your core collection with mid-priced quality sweatshirts
- Feature premium heavyweight options at the higher end
- Avoid the ultra-cheap offerings that generate returns
Testing Before Committing
Before you place large wholesale orders, do some quality testing:
Wash Test: Wash samples 3-5 times. Check for:
- Shrinkage. There should be almost no shrinkage after the first wash.
- Color fading.
- Pilling or general wear.
- Seam integrity.
Wear Test: Wear the sweatshirt yourself. How does it feel? Does it retain shape throughout the day?
Customer Test: If possible get feedback from a small test group before rolling out a style wholesale.
Wrapping Things Up
Choosing quality wholesale sweatshirts for retail isn’t hard, but it does require a little attention to detail.
Focus on the fabric weight, material quality, stitching, sizing and other quality details that matter most to your customers. Order samples, test rigorously, and never compromise on the quality markers that matter most. This is how you source quality wholesale sweatshirts for retail that sells.
The retail apparel industry is growing. By stocking quality wholesale sweatshirts and hoodies that deliver real value, you’re setting your store up for long term success.
Remember…
Quality wholesale sweatshirts might cost you a little more up-front, but they will bring you:
- Higher customer satisfaction
- Fewer returns
- Better margins
- Repeat business
Start with samples. Test and test again. Build relationships with suppliers who value quality. Your customers, and your bottom line will thank you for it.
