Here we are, approaching the 2009 Halloween parties, gatherings, clubs, events, and other assorted fun… and it’s the same old problem your customers have probably run into before; they don’t have a thing to wear, and they’ve got places to be. There’s also a serious undercurrent of heavy-duty budgeting that will insidiously work its way into all of the holidays this time… so the smart wholesale and retail specialists should be ready to offer wholesale fashion accessories to build your sales!
Today’s consumers are looking to you to provide them with the wholesale fashion accessories that transform a lifeless, drab, and uninspired costume into one that leaves people wondering why they didn’t find the source first? Clue your customers in to your secret (well… not so secret, I hope) cache of bling and other things that will increase your item count, and push your sales volume a tad further than if you strictly tried to rely upon the outdated strategy of thrusting a ready-to-wear costume in front of the customer… expecting them to dutifully take it, with no further questions to ask.
This is where you’re going to have to get creative, and start thinking fast about how you can create a palette of colors, textures, and materials that perhaps don’t just fall into the Halloween category. You might want to think about upping the ante with high-value goods that can be used for occasions other than fright night. Here’s a little TopTen list of hot wholesale fashion accessories that you might want to consider:
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Jewelry – it’s a bit more expensive, sure… but it represents an investment. Raise the bar on your sales goals, by offering something that is classy, functional, and not too easily pinned down to the purpose of being part of a Halloween costume. Something that can be used year-round will justify itself when the customers are reaching for their wallets.
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Belts – these things practically sell themselves. If there were ever a fashion accessory that could be classified as supremely versatile, the humble belt is it. It will look great as an add-on to the Halloween costumes that hit the streets this year, and those same belts will continue to bring satisfaction to your customers, as they become part of the wardrobe for the Autumn/Winter season.
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Scarves – another old stand-by in the accessories game, this one will instantly add a splash of color to any outfit, bring the focal point to a new location, or add an element of mystery to an ensemble. It’s just a matter of what style, and what is done with them. Suggest three or four to your customers, and maybe even give a special holiday BOGO to keep them moving.
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Hats – while these can be tricky to accessorize into a costume, there is the benefit of cold weather on the way. Function over fashion might be a selling feature, and in some parts of the country an easily-stashed, colorful knit hat will be a lifesaver for those who decide to wear less, and stay outdoors a little more.
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Glasses – in China, the trend for the past year has been big, thick, plastic glasses with no lenses. Time will tell if this takes off in the States… but you could be the one to pull the trigger on this accessory getting early publicity! Glasses can be found on the cheap from a variety of producers these days, and you might be surprised to learn that the optics industry has been taking astonishing profits on specs for years… there’s no reason to let them have all the fun.
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Shoes – the undisputed champs of fashion accessories, these items are going to become more important as the focus shifts from an overall ensemble, to details that count.
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Bags – how else are you supposed to carry things? You might as well make sure that your customers are doing it in style.
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Chains – these are the ‘wild card’ goods that have been gaining popularity over the past few years… they appeared on the belt loops of punk rockers in the 90’s, and now they are becoming synonymous with the hip-hop crowd. It pays to keep some of these in stock, just to keep things on an even keel.
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Quirky Items – trust me when I say that sequined gloves are going to be big this year. So will the toys that resemble futuristic weapons like Star Trek hand-held phasers. Goofy ties, stockings with designs, and all manner of cosmetic appliances will be the rage, as people try to copycat their favorite looks from Hollywood’s blockbusters.
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Gifts – what, nobody ever gave you a pair of plastic glow-in-the-dark Dracula fangs, just because you showed up at the party? Giving gifts to your guests and friends – even unsuspecting random victims – will set the tone for fun, as the party goes on.
There’s a lot of great ideas out there, and you should try to put your feelers out early, to see what your customers are asking for. A quick survey or e-newsletter with an email response option to a few simple questions could prove to be highly valuable, since it will not only give you a feel for what accessories are making news… but it may even provide you with some useful data about who’s reading your newsletters anyway! If you’re not sure how this works, take a look at the Toptenwholesale.com email blast newsletter, and be sure to register if you’re not already getting the news!