Every business wants to be more profitable and efficient. To achieve this, many focus on attracting new customers, retaining existing ones, and generating new business. 

It’s easy to overlook another effective strategy: reducing costs on your corporate apparel orders.

The goal is to cut costs without compromising the quality of your uniforms, services, and customer experience. This is totally possible, but only with the right strategies.

From selecting the right manufacturer to optimizing order sizes and timing, here are five out-of-the-box tips that will not only save costs on apparel orders but also streamline your processes. Let’s dive right in!

1. Choose the Right Manufacturer

Our first tip is the most relevant one. Finding the right manufacturer is key to the success of an apparel brand. It impacts everything from product quality to production timelines—and even your overall brand reputation.

According to McKinsey, speed and flexibility are the current top two priorities in the apparel industry. However, we recommend choosing a manufacturer that offers much more. Here are some metrics you should consider:

• Quality Standards – Defect-free products increase brand loyalty among your employees.
• Reliability and Timeliness – Delays in production and deliveries can damage your brand’s reputation.
• Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) – Ensure the manufacturer’s MOQs are compatible with your production needs.
• Production Capacity – The manufacturer should be able to scale production up or down based on your needs. This flexibility allows you to leverage seasonal sales and save money when sales drop.
• Communication and Responsiveness – Your manufacturer must be responsive and easy to communicate with, addressing any concerns promptly and minimizing costs generated by problems.
• Innovation – The best manufacturer will stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in apparel manufacturing, so you can leverage the most cost-effective processes and equipment on the market.
• Tailored Solutions – The manufacturer you go with should also be willing to adapt to your specific needs and requirements. That way, you won’t spend more than you need, thus reducing costs.

2. Invest in High-Quality Uniforms

Top-quality uniforms are non-negotiable because cheap uniforms can end up costing you more money in the long run. On top of that, there are many other benefits to this investment:

• Durability and Longevity – High-quality uniforms are made from superior materials that can withstand wear and tear. They last longer, reducing the frequency of replacements.
• Enhanced Employee Performance – When employees feel good in their uniforms, this boosts morale and productivity, so they are likely to perform better.
• Lower Maintenance Costs – Quality uniforms often require less maintenance. They are typically easier to clean and more resistant to stains and wrinkles. It minimizes cleaning costs and extends the garment’s life span.
• Employee Retention – Comfortable and high-quality garments contribute to job satisfaction and retention, saving the costs associated with hiring and training new staff.

Additionally, your company’s reputation and image are at stake. When your employees wear inferior quality clothing, they convey a message of unprofessionalism and portray a “cheap brand” to customers. Consequently, it can negatively impact your brand’s credibility, sales, and business opportunities.

On the other hand, a consistent and professional appearance reinforces brand identity and can attract more customers, leading to increased sales and revenue.

3. Streamline Your Inventory Management

Inventory management is one of the biggest expenses for any distribution business. A RetailWire study revealed that inventory problems lead to an average revenue loss of 7.3%. 3.2% of the loss is due to excess inventory and 4.1% is due to stockouts.

Businesses that fail to effectively manage their inventory often find themselves with surplus uniforms, generating additional costs.

That’s why our third tip is to precisely calculate your company’s needs to maintain an inventory suitable for your demand—and nothing more. You can conduct an analysis to reduce excess uniform purchases, eliminate costs from unused garments, and also prepare for future orders.

The first step is to collect employee size preferences by taking their most recent measurements, as well as analyzing previous orders. 

Then, prepare a budget for the average uniform replacement time for employees, which is usually between 12 and 18 months. Remember to consider each employee’s role, as some roles make uniform replacement more frequently necessary than others.

To manage your inventory, you can opt for inventory management software or a partner that can do this for you—like Scrappy Apparel! 

4. Nurture the Relationship With Your Manufacturer

In the last few years, apparel brands have deepened their relationships with manufacturers. That strategy is one of the best ways to save money. You can leverage benefits such as:

• Discount Opportunities – A long-term contract enables you to negotiate discounts or special conditions.
• Guaranteed Stability and Quality – Initiating a long-term contract ensures your needs are always met with readily available, quality uniforms.

However, there are some strategies you need to apply if you want to make good use of these advantages…

Understand Your Needs

First, have a strong understanding of your uniform purchasing patterns. When you know exactly what you need and the size of your orders, it becomes much easier to negotiate.

Commit to Bulk Orders

By purchasing a larger volume of uniforms, you can equip yourself with leverage to negotiate better prices or receive additional discounts.

Plus, instead of dealing with several small orders, you can consolidate all your needs into one large bulk order, minimizing management costs.

Commit to a Long-Term Contract

When you have longer contracts, you can negotiate better payment terms. With this strategy, you can delay your cash outflows and improve your cash flow.

Consider Business Expansion

As your company grows, finding a new manufacturer to meet all your uniform requirements can be tricky. It’s important to choose a partner that can handle all your current and future needs.

5. Choose Versatile Uniform Designs 

Versatile apparel designs that can be used in different settings is also a key strategy to minimize costs. In other words, the uniform should adapt to a variety of environments and situations in your employees’ work routines. For instance, it might be helpful to find a garment that can be used both by office and field employees.

When selecting a design, look for those that meet the needs of a variety of functions and departments within your organization. There are multiple factors to consider:

• Appropriate Materials and Fabrics – Corporate apparel should be comfortable for daily use so your team can perform their functions effectively.
• Adapting to Needs – It’s important that the uniform provides comfort in different settings, no matter if your employees are working outside or inside.
• Alignment With Company Style – Whether your company has a formal or informal environment, choose uniforms that convey your company’s image.
• Customization and Identity – To maximize versatility, choose an apparel partner that offers a variety of fabrics, ink types, finishings, and more.

Partner With Scrappy Apparel To Minimize Costs and Maximize Quality

Scrappy Apparel is a reliable and responsive manufacturer that offers high-quality, cost-effective uniforms. We have a strong focus on speed, flexibility, and innovation, making us the perfect partner for corporate apparel orders.

Guaranteed High-Quality and Versatile Uniforms

Our uniforms are made from superior materials that can withstand wear and tear. With our professional garments, you can enhance employee performance, reduce maintenance costs, and contribute to job satisfaction and retention.

We offer customization options to maximize personalization, identity, and versatility. Leverage our solutions to design uniforms that can be used in different settings and situations. You’ll receive uniforms that are comfortable, adaptable, and aligned with your company’s style.

3PL MGMT Program for High-Volume Orders

No matter how big your company is, we mass-produce high-quality uniforms and send them directly to your employees as needed. Our 3PL MGMT program takes care of all the logistics, including manufacturing, inventory management, and more. Here’s what you can expect from us:

• Warehousing – We provide exclusive, secure storage space to accommodate your uniforms.
• Order Fulfillment – We immediately send uniforms when new employees join your workforce or you require uniform replacements. You can eliminate all your management costs when you rely on us.
• Fast Nationwide Delivery – We ensure timely delivery no matter where your employees are located.

Transparency and Trust

Scrappy Apparel is committed to building long-term relationships with our clients. We help you leverage economies of scale for bulk orders, we guarantee stability and quality, and we provide personalized customer service.

By partnering with Scrappy Apparel, you will benefit from our expertise in providing high-quality, cost-effective uniform solutions that meet all your unique needs.

Choose Scrappy Apparel to Achieve a Higher Standard of Uniforms!