The footwear industry is booming as Americans love spending on shoes.

Here’s what the report says: With the US importing 8.1 pairs of shoes for each individual in the country, the annual sales grew from $83 billion in 2021 to over $104.6 billion in 2022.

Considering these sales figures, it’s clear the future is promising for retail and wholesale businesses.

And the potential for profitability is great as stocking your shelves with trendy shoes can help you make hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Now the question arises: Where can you find reliable wholesale shoe vendors?

By using this directory, you can connect with multiple vendors, ask for quotations, and narrow down your search.

So, whether you’re looking for casual sneakers, formal shoes, sandals, boots, flip-flops, athletic footwear, or orthopedic shoes, here you can find vendors specializing in each of these categories.

What to Look for When Choosing a Footwear Vendor for Your Business?

While exploring the directory, consider these four factors:

Quality

While low quality may save you some money but it often leads to unhappy customers, frequent product returns, and lost sales.

So, make sure you're not compromising on quality. Ask for samples to check the material, color, outsole, insole, and overall look and feel of the shoes.

Additionally, checking reviews and ratings can provide insight into other businesses' satisfaction with the vendor's products.

Pricing

To get the best value for your investment, it's advisable that you compare prices across multiple vendors but remember the cheapest isn't always the best.

Customization

If you're looking for customized or private-label shoes, you should prefer a manufacturer over a wholesaler and discuss your design, color, and branding possibilities.

Payment & delivery

Before you make any bulk purchase, you should inquire about the payment terms and estimated delivery times.

This helps ensure that you can meet your customers' demands without encountering delays or stockouts.

And once you’ve chosen the vendor, you can negotiate better deals by:

• Expressing your interest in a long-term partnership
• Sharing information about your customer base and the potential sales you can drive 

Now that you know what factors to consider when choosing a vendor and how to negotiate, it’s important to stay on top of your customers’ needs.

Here’s a trend to capitalize on: 

Sustainability: The Key Trend in 2023 & Beyond

A prevailing trend in the footwear industry is the increasing popularity of shoes made from recycled material

According to Zion Market Research, the sustainable footwear market is projected to grow from $7.40 billion in 2020 to $11.98 billion by 2028.

So, by stocking up on sustainable and cruelty-free products that often have higher perceived value, you can appeal to eco-conscious customers.

And by selling them at higher prices, you are likely to generate more profits.