A Guide to Top Wholesale Handbag Suppliers

A great handbag is the perfect accompaniment for any look: part practicality, part fashion. And handbags are the ideal, high-demand accessory for any retail store.

Whether you run a brick-and-mortar boutique, have an ecommerce store, or rent a table at your local flea market, you need to offer the best bags to turn heads. And you can get them all at Wholesale Central, a B2B platform connecting retailers with a vast directory of pre-screened wholesale ladies’ handbag suppliers and other distributors and dropshippers of women’s, men’s, and genderless items.

Find the perfect wholesale handbag and luggage supplier, and start growing your business.

Understanding the wholesale handbag market

So, you want to stock high-quality handbags, but you’re unsure where to start. Here’s how the wholesale market works.

Buying wholesale is a B2B (business-to-business) transaction, in which a retailer purchases goods in bulk at discounted rates. Then, the retail outlet makes a profit on the sale of the items by marking up the price.

Handbags are one of the most profitable wholesale niches, netting from 40 to 60% in kickback for retailers who use competitive sourcing options like the distributors on Wholesale Central.

But in order to earn big, you need to know your audience. Study what your consumer demographic wants and how much they can afford. For example, younger buyers might want trendy, affordable pieces, and you can stock wholesale faux leather handbags or canvas and nylon pieces. But audiences with more disposable income desire premium goods, like authentic leather bags or luxury vegan pieces.

Buying bulk vs. dropshipping

Two of the most popular wholesale buying methods are bulk and dropshipping.

When you buy in bulk, you score an excellent per-item rate on high quantities of items. This model provides a good way to maximize profits for retailers who must always have products in stock and ready to ship, and who can move a lot of items quickly.

When you purchase from a dropshipper, the wholesaler only sends out the quantities of products when a customer buys from you, shipping the items directly to their doorstep. This model is smart for small businesses without warehouse space for stock, or new retailers that don’t want to invest in large amounts of product they don’t know if they can sell off.

Types of wholesale handbags and purses

What to buy when stocking your accessories section? The answer is: What your consumers want. Here are a few popular handbag and luggage categories that the most fashion-forward retailers carry.

Everyday fashion bags

Resell high-demand fashion handbags that combine functionality and style, such as:

• Cross-body bags
• Tote bags
• Shoulder bags
• Sling bags
• Hobo bags
• Satchels
• Monogram bads
• Fanny packs

Offer a wide range of options in different materials for every preference, like:

• Solid color or patterned leather
• Vegan leather
• Canvas
• Nylon
• Denim

Specialty and niche bags

Niche products give consumers that “just what I was looking for” feeling. Help your audience connect that unique find by stocking:

• Backpacks (for adults or back-to-school and children's character types)
• Luggage/rolling carry-ons/travel bag sets
• Evening bags/clutches/wristlets
• Western-style purses (with rhinestones, embossing, or tassels)
• One-of-a-kind patterns and colors (like classy leather crosshatching or fun, hot pink nylon)

Accessories

Don’t stop at handbags and luggage. Encourage your consumers to add a last little purchase at checkout or take advantage of bundle pricing on bag-adjacent accessories, like:

• Wallets
• Belts
• Scarves
• Packing cubes and other travel accessories
• Keychains
• Ponchos or sarapes

Brand-name bags

Bring your consumer base the hottest fashion trends from the runways of New York or Paris with brand-name bags or high-end, on-trend styles.

Just be sure to do your due diligence. Counterfeiters can make some pretty convincing dupes, and selling fakes is unethical, illegal, and bad for a retailer’s reputation. Stick to high-quality wholesale purses from trusted vendors who can provide proof of authenticity when needed. Find all the vetted distributors you need on Wholesale Central.

How to choose reliable handbag wholesalers

You want to offer your consumers top-quality, authentic bags, so be sure to only work with reliable handbag providers. Sourcing contacts from Wholesale Central, a trusted B2B site, is a great first step, but you’ll still need to do some of your own due diligence. Here’s how.

Evaluate supplier transparency and legitimacy

Even if working with a vetted contact, double-check the supplier’s legitimacy by looking up their license and reading reviews. And be sure they have detailed supplier information on their listings.

You might also want to request a sample product so you can check out the quality before buying in bulk or offering products to consumers.

Understand pricing and minimum order quantities (MOQs)

Wholesale Central is a B2B platform connecting retailers and wholesalers—not a middleman. So, Wholesale Central does not take a commission, set pricing restrictions, or get involved with costs and payment in any other ways.

So, buyers must ask suppliers directly about minimum order quantities and pricing tiers, taking the opportunity to land on a bespoke arrangement that fits the retailer’s needs.

Attend trade shows

See new arrivals in person and get to know vendors by attending trade shows. You’ll build relationships and feel comfortable offering consumers products you’ve seen first-hand. Find upcoming trade shows on Wholesale Central.

Tips for buying wholesale handbags for resale

Curate the most attractive and profitable fashion accessories collection by:

Staying on top of trends

Find out what trends resonate with your target audience, whether by checking influencers’ social media platforms, reading lifestyle blogs and magazines, or attending in-person events like fashion shows. It’s not about just keeping up with the trends; it’s about staying ahead of them.

Maximizing your profit margin

Earn the most out of every sale with these tips:

• Shop around to secure competitive wholesale prices and maximize profit margins on resale.
• Take advantage of promos and sales such as volume discounts or free shipping tiers.
• Check out Wholesale Central’s Deals & Steals week, which features promotions from approved wholesalers.

Plan for inventory and storage

Bags and luggage can take up a lot of space, and they need to be stored properly to remain in pristine condition. To take on stock, you should have a cool, dry storage space big enough not to have to stuff or stack piles of bags, potentially damaging them.

Can’t take on stock? Considering buying from dropshippers.

Discover wholesale suppliers on Wholesale Central

Find all the best purse, bag, and luggage suppliers through Wholesale Central, either by using our comprehensive provider lists or attending a trade show to meet vendors live. You’re steps away from meeting wholesalers that will help your retail business reach its goals.