One of the most common questions from new retailers is how to figure out order quantities that make sense for a first wholesale purchase. Here's a simple approach to sizing your order without overcommitting.
Start with a Test Order Across Categories
Rather than placing a large order on a single product, spread a smaller initial budget across several categories, hair clips, hair ties, and earrings, so you can see which categories and styles resonate with your customers before scaling up.
Use Bulk Pack Sizes to Your Advantage
Since most hair accessories and jewelry are sold in bulk packs (10, 20, or 50 pieces per style), you can stock a wide variety of designs without needing to commit to hundreds of units of any single item. This lets you build a diverse storefront quickly.
Watch Your Fastest-Moving Categories
Everyday basics like plain hair clips, simple hair ties, and classic stud or hoop earrings tend to sell consistently and are safe bets for larger repeat orders. Trend-driven or seasonal items are better suited to smaller, more frequent restocks.
Plan for Reordering, Not Just the First Order
- Track which SKUs sell out fastest and prioritize those in your next order.
- Keep a buffer stock of your top 10-15 bestsellers so you're never caught out of your most reliable items.
- Reassess your order mix every few months as trends and customer preferences shift.
Getting Order Size Right Takes a Few Cycles
Most retailers refine their ideal order quantities after two or three purchase cycles, once they have real sales data to work from. Starting cautiously and scaling based on what actually sells is a more reliable strategy than guessing large quantities upfront.
If you'd like help planning your next order based on what's been selling well, reach out and we can walk through it together.