Retailers know and understand the critical importance of timing.
As any good retailer will tell you, with seasonal categories, you have to start
early and end punctually to avoid loss of sales and the heartache of overstock.
The main appeal of seasonal categories is that it’s added revenue and
flexibility; it’s a window of opportunity which you can capitalize on for a few
months and then move on. At this point, you can then choose to work on another
seasonal category or simply ramp up your businesses core category. Adding
seasonal categories means adding revenue throughout the year, which is
especially crucial during those often unavoidable and unexplainable lulls in
your core business sales.
Each year we highlight our seasonal categories, and this year we
are kicking it off with one of the dark horse categories swimwear and explain
why it should not be passed over this upcoming season.
Swimwear as a category is perfect for any type of reseller, its
small and light, easy to store, and cheap to ship to your customers plus with
retail prices as high as $150-$200 SRP costing you $10-$12 per unit quite
profitable as well.
When does it start?- Swimsuit season begins in March; retailers
will soon break out the one-pieces and tankinis and start stocking their
shelves, and so should you. Shop as early as possible to secure the best
merchandise and get those items prepped and ready for resale.
Critical midseason period- retailers like to entice shoppers
into buying new swimwear around the Memorial Day holiday, this is when you will
see the first of the big swimwear sales. Be amply stocked up by this time to
cash in on the uptick in demand.
June and July peak season- forget sales and discounts this month
this is when every retailer is charging top dollar because it’s peak season and
peak demand.
September close up shop- September is the end of the season,
discount, and blowout your excess inventory, but hang onto those premium items
such as your high dollar one-piece suits for next season.
Selling seasonal categories means added revenue at times you
need them the most. So do not pass up one of the most profitable in the apparel
game, the swimwear category.