With fashion topping the list of the largest online shopping categories in 2024, the apparel industry is one of the most lucrative sectors to be in right now.
In fact, did you know that the apparel industry is set to increase its revenue by $160 billion from 2025 to 2028?
That is around $50 billion per year. These numbers do not just come about on their own.
A lot of work goes on behind the scenes in the apparel industry to make this work. From the factories making the designs to the seamless deliveries across continents, brand distribution is what signifies coordination and collaboration in the apparel industry.
Brand distribution makes you navigate your way through a network of suppliers, warehouses, retailers, and delivery routes. All these are just to make sure your customers are satisfied.
In this article, we’ll see exactly how brand distribution works, why it is so important in the apparel fulfillment process, and how you can leverage brand distribution in dropshipping.
What is Brand Distribution?
Brand distribution is the process of getting products from manufacturers to the end consumer.
When it comes to apparel fulfillment context, brand distribution means making sure that the products your customers want are available where they need them and when they need them.
It is about managing the flow of your products through different channels till they meet your customers.
Brand distribution plays a very important role in your supply chain by connecting your manufacturers to your customers.
If there are no means for you to distribute your products, they will just be in warehouses waiting for them to be sent out to the necessary channels that will deliver them to your customers.
What are these channels?
Before we get to that, we need to know the key participants in the brand distribution process.
They are:
- Manufacturers: They produce items in bulk based on design specifications and demand for the product.
- Wholesalers: They purchase the manufactured products/items in large quantities and further distribute them to other intermediaries.
- Distributors: They act as intermediaries between wholesalers and retailers. They also manage logistics and make sure that products get to their final destinations.
- Retailers: The retailers are the ones that sell the products/items directly.
Now let’s discuss the various channels through which retailers sell their products.
We have;
- Physical retail stores: the traditional stores you know where your customers purchase their items physically.
- E-commerce stores: your online marketplace where customers shop for the products they want through their electronic devices from their comfort places.
- Third-party marketplaces: these are the platforms where different brands sell their products to reach a wider audience.
Examples of these platforms include Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
How does brand distribution work?
When we say brand distribution, what are the steps involved in the process?
The first step is production.
Production deals with the creation of clothing items by the manufacturers. From the sourcing of materials to creating designs,. All these are done in the production phase.
When production is done, the next thing that needs to be done is packaging and transportation.
The packaging should be done meticulously and handled carefully so your customers receive their packages in pristine conditions.
In recent years, consumer habits have changed. They now choose products made by companies that use environmentally friendly packaging.
At Globallyfulfill, we offer sustainable packaging services.
The packaged items are then distributed to wholesalers or retailers, either directly from the manufacturers or through intermediaries.
The wholesalers or retailers then display the items through different channels like physical stores, e-commerce stores, or third-party marketplaces.
Wholesalers and distributors play very important roles in the brand’s distribution process.
Some of these roles include; managing the stock level to meet demand.
They also monitor sales trends and communicate to the appropriate parties.
Another thing they do is order fulfillment.
Order fulfillment involves everything from handling the packages to logistics and distribution.
The final step and the end of the distribution process is when your customers purchase their items through any of the various channels.
Brand distribution makes sure your customers are satisfied through
- Making sure they receive their orders on time
- Ensuring that they can find the products they want when they want
These things make your customers build trust in your brand and make their shopping experience seamless.
How to do dropshipping with Brand Distribution
What is dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a type of order fulfillment method.
In dropshipping, a retailer does not keep the products they sell with them.
Instead, they purchase directly from a third party, the products are then sent directly to your customers.
In apparel fulfillment, dropshipping allows your brand to expand the products you have to offer for sale without needing to have those products on the ground or invest so much in manufacturing.
All you need to do as a drop shipper is receive the order, make a corresponding order to your supplier /third party and your supplier will fulfill the order.
Dropshipping is a very stress-free and lucrative business model.
At Globallyfulfill, we offer drop shipping services. You should check it out here.
As an apparel brand, when you add dropshipping to your brand distribution strategy, you get to make the process easier and reach a wider audience.
But you need to make sure your suppliers are reliable and offer quality products.
All that is left for you as a drop shipper is to make sure you track the level of your orders and communicate well with your supplier.
Another important thing you need to do is to communicate with your customer transparently about their order fulfillment process.
Let them know their exact delivery time and date so they can manage their expectations and you can have a satisfied customer.
What are the benefits of dropshipping in apparel fulfillment?
- Dropshipping allows you to offer products for sale without needing to invest so much in manufacturing or having the products on the ground.
- It allows you to operate smoothly and respond quickly to changes in market demand.
- Dropshipping helps you reduce all the upfront costs and all other costs that are associated with inventory management, storage, and logistics.
Dropshipping is a successful business model and it is evident in today’s market.
Big brands use the dropshipping business model and it has helped them expand their product catalog and reach a wider audience.
Conclusion
Throughout this article, we have uncovered all the layers of brand distribution.
From knowing the key participants, that is the manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, to the channels they go through to meet your customers, that is, physical stores, e-commerce stores, or third-party marketplaces.
We also discussed how brand distribution works, why it is very important in apparel fulfillment, and how you can do dropshipping with brand distribution to achieve success in this competitive landscape.
As a brand, you have to embrace these trends and adapt to the changes to gain a competitive edge among fellow apparel fulfillment stores.
Stay informed and position yourself for long-term success in this ever-evolving industry.
