πŸ›️ The Ultimate Guide to Shopping at Outlet Stores for Resale

⏱️ Reading Time: 6 minutes

If you're a reseller looking for high-profit flips, outlet stores can be a goldmine for New With Tags (NWT) inventory at steep discounts. Not all outlets are equal, so knowing where to shop and what to buy is key to maximizing resale value.


Budgeting for Outlet Shopping & Expected Profits

To maximize profit, set a budget and track expected returns before purchasing. Here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect:

πŸ’² Starting Budget: $200 - $1,000 (Varies by store & inventory size)
πŸ’Έ Average Cost per Item: $15 - $50 (Higher for luxury brands)
πŸ“ˆ Average Resale Price: $40 - $200+ (Depending on brand & demand)
πŸ“‰ Potential Losses: Items that don’t sell or require heavy discounting can lead to 20-50% loss.

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: Start with a smaller budget and reinvest profits to scale up over time.

Potential Profit Example:

  • Buy: 10 items at $30 each = $300 investment
  • Sell: Each for an average of $80 = $800 revenue
  • Profit (After Fees & Shipping): ~$400+

Best Outlet Stores for Resale & What to Buy

To make outlet shopping profitable, focus on brands and categories that resell quickly with high demand and low competition on platforms like Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari.

Luxury & Designer Brands (High ROI, Strong Demand)

✔️ Coach & Kate Spade Outlet – Leather handbags, wallets, and accessories (Avoid “Factory” styles, go for past-season retail overstock).
✔️ Michael Kors Outlet – Leather totes, crossbodies, and wallets (Stick to neutral colors and classic styles).
✔️ Tory Burch Outlet – Small leather goods, sandals, and ballet flats (Luxury resale at mid-tier pricing).
✔️ Burberry Outlet – Scarves, coats, and small accessories (Seasonal resale peaks in fall/winter).
✔️ Ralph Lauren Factory Store – Wool coats, cable-knit sweaters, and button-downs (Focus on classic fits, avoid outlet-exclusive lines).

πŸ’° Expected Profit Margins: 50-200%
πŸ“‰ Risk Factor: Medium - Some styles may take longer to sell.

Resale Timeline: Luxury items can take 2-6 months to sell, but offer higher profits per piece.


Athletic & Outdoor Brands (Fast-Selling, Year-Round Demand)

✔️ Nike & Adidas Outlet – Limited-edition sneakers, hoodies, and tracksuits (Avoid basic running shoes, focus on unique styles).
✔️ The North Face & Columbia Outlet – Down jackets, fleece pullovers, and hiking gear (Look for GORE-TEX and insulated styles).
✔️ Lululemon & Athleta Outlet – High-performance leggings, sports bras, and jackets (Stay away from non-sculpting styles).
✔️ Under Armour Outlet – Compression leggings, zip-ups, and cold-weather gear (Best for bulk reselling).

πŸ’° Expected Profit Margins: 30-100%
πŸ“‰ Risk Factor: Low - Items tend to sell quickly, especially limited releases.

Resale Timeline: Athletic and outdoor gear typically sells within 1-3 months, making it a great category for quick flips.


Casual & Everyday Wear (Steady Sales, Budget-Friendly Finds)

✔️ Levi’s Outlet – Classic 501s, Wedgie Fit, and Trucker jackets (Size variety is key for denim flips).
✔️ Calvin Klein & Tommy Hilfiger Outlet – Logo hoodies, denim, and button-down shirts (Go for simple, timeless styles).
✔️ American Eagle & Aerie Outlet – High-rise jeans, loungewear, and seamless bras (Aerie sells best in bundle listings).
✔️ Banana Republic & J.Crew Factory Store – Business casual blazers, dress shirts, and wool trousers (Workwear resells well in Q4).

πŸ’° Expected Profit Margins: 30-80%
πŸ“‰ Risk Factor: Medium - Workwear sells best during back-to-school and holiday seasons.

Resale Timeline: Casual wear sells steadily within 2-4 months, depending on trends and seasons.


High-Margin Footwear (Low Competition, Strong Profits)

✔️ UGG Outlet – Classic boots, slippers, and shearling accessories (Seasonal demand spikes in Q4).
✔️ Sam Edelman & Vince Camuto Outlet – Leather ankle boots, mules, and heels (Neutral & animal prints are strong sellers).
✔️ Tory Burch Outlet – Espadrilles, sandals, and ballet flats (Avoid fabric styles, stick to leather).
✔️ Cole Haan Outlet – Dress shoes and ZeroGrand sneakers (Men’s styles hold value longer).

πŸ’° Expected Profit Margins: 50-150%
πŸ“‰ Risk Factor: Medium - Certain sizes and styles sell faster than others.

Resale Timeline: Designer footwear may take 1-5 months to sell, depending on season and demand.


How to Spot the Best NWT Deals at Outlet Stores

✔️ Shop Early in the Day – Best selection before crowds pick through stock.
✔️ Visit During Major Sales Events – Holiday weekends offer stackable savings on clearance.
✔️ Ask for Retail Overstocks – Some outlets get past-season inventory from retail stores at deep discounts.
✔️ Sign Up for VIP & Store Emails – Many outlets offer exclusive coupons to members.
✔️ Use Store Credit Cards Strategically – Some stores give extra discounts for outlet purchases.

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: Check for extra markdown racks in the back of the store—some of the biggest price drops are hidden there!


What to Avoid When Shopping for Resale at Outlets

🚫 Factory-Exclusive Products – These are made-for-outlet items, lower in quality than retail versions.
🚫 Basic Retail Overstocks – Plain tees, simple leggings, and generic sneakers aren’t unique enough to flip.
🚫 Overproduced Fast Fashion – Avoid H&M, Forever 21, and Old Navy outlets (no resale demand).
🚫 Overpriced "Luxury" Items – Some brands like Prada, Gucci, and Versace mark outlet prices close to retail—not profitable for resale.


Final Thoughts: How to Maximize Profit from Outlet Reselling

Shopping for NWT (New With Tags) items at outlet stores can be an amazing way to make money reselling—but only if you know where to shop, what to buy, and how to price your items.

Stick to high-resale-value brands.
Know what items are in demand seasonally.
Always check for extra clearance discounts.
Avoid outlet-exclusive “made-for-factory” pieces.

πŸ’¬ What’s your best outlet reselling tip? Drop a comment below!
πŸ“Œ Save this guide for your next outlet trip!

Join the Poshmark Community & Save!

Get $10 off your first order when you sign up using my code MY_LABELHAVEN

➡️ Join here: Signup - Poshmark


About Me & MyLabelHaven

Hi, I’m Alejandra—the heart behind MyLabelHaven! πŸ’• I’ve always loved finding timeless, stylish pieces, and now I get to share them with you.

I’m incredibly grateful for every buyer, follower, and fellow reseller who supports this journey. Your engagement makes MyLabelHaven a special place, and I love connecting with you!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ralph Lauren’s QR Codes – The Future of Fashion Authentication

What is Closet Clear Out (CCO) on Poshmark & How Does It Work?

πŸ›️ The Ultimate Guide to Shopping at Macy’s: Best Days, Sales & Resale Tips