Buying shoes wholesale calls for a different kind of attention than buying clothing or bags: because of sizes, fit and the way shoes are sold in size runs, one wrong decision can turn into stock that sits on the shelves for a long time. The checklist below sums up what you should clarify before talking to a supplier, whether you run a shoe store, a boutique or an online shop. At the end of the article we also look at bags you can sell together with shoes.
Size runs and size distribution
In wholesale footwear, products are usually sold in size runs (also called assortments or packs), meaning you buy a pack of one model made up of specific sizes. Always ask which sizes a run contains and how many pairs of each. If you know which sizes sell best among your customers, evaluate the run with that in mind. The smallest and largest sizes sell slowly in some stores, while in others they are sought after precisely because they are hard to find. Your own sales history is the most reliable guide here.
Consider your sales channel when deciding on the size mix. In a physical store, customers try shoes on before buying, and if their size is missing they can be steered towards another model. Online, a customer who cannot find their size simply leaves the page. So if you sell online, pay particular attention to never running out of your best-selling sizes.
- Ask whether you can break a run, i.e. reorder individual sizes.
- Check whether the size run is the same across different colours of the same model.
- For your first order, choose a healthy size distribution in fewer models rather than many models.
Fit, samples and try-ons
The same size can fit differently from one manufacturer to another. Knowing in advance whether a shoe runs narrow, regular or wide reduces “too small” and “too tight” returns. If possible, ask for samples before a large order and have people with different foot shapes try the shoes on. If you sell online, state the fit clearly on your product page and, where needed, add clear guidance such as “we recommend ordering one size up”.
At the sample stage, inspect the box and labels as well. A crushed box or labels missing the size can cause confusion in the warehouse and during shipping. Online, the box is the customer’s first contact with the product; a sturdy box protects the shoes in transit and improves the first impression.
Checking materials, soles and workmanship
Quality problems in shoes often appear only after a few wears. That is why it pays to check the following points when the goods arrive:
- Sole bonding: There should be no gaps or excess glue where the sole meets the upper.
- Stitching: Seams should be straight and tight, with no skipped stitches.
- Lining and insole: Choose materials that do not crease easily and keep the foot comfortable.
- Symmetry: Place the left and right shoe side by side and check for differences in colour shade, height and shape.
- Material declaration: Carry the material stated by the supplier into your product description exactly; do not make claims you are not sure about.
Clarify the supplier’s terms
How a supplier works matters as much as the product itself. Before placing an order, get answers to these questions, in writing if possible:
- What is the minimum order quantity and how are size runs structured?
- How are faulty or defective items exchanged?
- Which payment methods are available and how does order confirmation work?
- Which carrier ships the goods and how is the shipping fee calculated?
- Will you be able to reorder a model that sells, or is it discontinued at the end of the season?
- Are product images provided for online selling?
You can ask your bag and clothing suppliers the same questions. Working with the same level of clarity across your whole supply chain makes stock planning easier.
When comparing prices, do not look at the unit price alone; also factor in the total quantity a size run commits you to, the shipping fee and the exchange terms. A run with a low unit price that includes sizes you will not sell can end up costing more.
Season and stock planning
Seasonal transitions are sharp in footwear: products such as sandals, ankle boots and tall boots have a limited selling window. Plan the budget for seasonal products separately from the classic models that sell every season. Starting the season with a small trial order and reordering what sells reduces the stock left on your hands at the end of the season. For a broader framework, see our article on seasonal boutique product planning.
Put the products you will sell alongside shoes on the same calendar. Having light, pale-toned bags ready for sandal season, and dark shoulder and crossbody bags ready for boot season, at the same time as the shoes makes outfit-based selling easier.
A matching bag next to the shoes
The most natural add-on product for a shoe store is a bag. Suggesting a bag from the same colour family or in the same style as the shoes offers the customer a ready-made outfit and makes adding a second item to the basket easier. The biggest advantage of bags over shoes is that there are no size or fit issues: you do not need to buy size runs, and the risk of “it didn’t fit” returns is much lower.
- Place handbags and shoulder bags in matching tones next to classic black and brown shoes.
- Crossbody bags and backpacks go well with sports and casual shoes.
- Next to heels and evening shoes, clutches and envelope bags complete the occasion look.
We explain in detail which bag suits which shoe in our shoe and bag pairing guide.
Çanta Bayim for the bag side
Çanta Bayim does not sell shoes; it supplies the bags you add to your shoe store or online shop. No membership is needed for wholesale orders: you can order a mixed total of at least 15 pieces across different models and colours, with payment by bank transfer/EFT. If you want to test without holding stock, you can order single pieces with your dealer account and have the product shipped directly to your customer. You can start with our bags for shoe stores page, prepared for shoe retailers, or browse all our wholesale bag models.