What “By the Case” Means in Wholesale Buying

When clothing is sold by the case, it means items are packaged and sold in preset bulk quantities rather than as individual pieces. Each case contains a specific number of garments that are grouped together for efficient shipping, inventory control, and consistent sizing distribution.

Why Wholesale Clothing Is Sold by the Case

Selling apparel by the case allows suppliers to move larger volumes efficiently while keeping costs lower for buyers. It simplifies warehouse operations, reduces packing labor, and helps maintain predictable stock levels. For buyers, it provides better pricing and reliable sizing balance.

What Is a Case Pack?

A case pack is the fixed quantity of garments inside one case. Most case packs are arranged with an assortment of sizes so that buyers receive a balanced run of small, medium, large, and extra large instead of a single size only. This prevents size shortages and makes distribution easier for schools, nonprofits, and retailers.

How Many Pieces Are in a Case?

The number of garments in a case varies by product type, brand, and supplier. Common quantities include 12, 24, or 48 units per case. Outerwear cases often contain fewer pieces due to garment size while small items like shirts or socks may come in higher quantities.

Who Benefits from Buying by the Case?

Buying by the case benefits schools distributing uniforms, nonprofits running clothing drives, retailers stocking inventory for resale, team programs ordering matching apparel, and organizations managing large group needs. It creates predictability and eliminates the need for frequent reorders.

How Case Buying Helps Control Costs

Case buying lowers the cost per unit because suppliers pass volume savings directly to the buyer. This reduces overall spending and allows budgets to stretch further. Buyers also save on time, labor, and logistics since larger orders require fewer transactions.

Is Buying by the Case Required for Wholesale?

In most wholesale programs, purchasing by the case is required to qualify for bulk pricing. Some suppliers allow mixed cases or multiple cases across styles, but individual units are rarely sold at wholesale rates. Understanding this structure helps buyers plan budgets and inventory accurately.

How This Affects Planning Your Order

Because purchases are made in full case quantities, buyers should estimate total item needs before ordering. Planning ahead ensures proper sizing coverage, avoids over ordering, and keeps storage and distribution efficient.

Key Takeaway

Buying clothing by the case is the foundation of wholesale apparel purchasing. It creates consistency, improves pricing, simplifies shipping, and allows organizations and retailers to operate efficiently at scale.