How Does the Wholesale Clothing Season Calendar Work?
In wholesale clothing the season calendar runs one period ahead of the selling season: production of the summer collection starts in the last quarter of the previous year, and winter collection production starts in spring. The buying plan follows the production start; finding supplementary production mid-season becomes harder.
Why is everything one season ahead?
Fabric supply, pattern making and production capacity take time. The manufacturer must collect orders before the season starts, so the wholesale buyer sets the collection before the selling season. The rule is sharper in groups with long production times such as outerwear and knitwear.
Are there mid-season opportunities?
Yes. Workshops producing extra runs mid-season and leftover runs can be bought, and pricing is more flexible on those items. Model and colour options narrow, though. Items added to the MerterAI catalog daily make mid-season production visible as well.
What does the calendar mean for a buyer?
For the buyer the calendar is a cash-flow plan: payment happens at production start, sales at season start. Boutiques that buy broadly at the start of a season keep mid-season buying smaller.
| Period | Production | Buying | Selling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct–Dec | Spring-Summer production | Spring-Summer orders | Winter sales |
| Jan–Mar | Summer production | Summer orders | Spring sales |
| Apr–Jun | Autumn-Winter production | Autumn-Winter orders | Summer sales |
| Jul–Sep | Winter production | Winter orders | Autumn sales |
Frequently asked questions
Is the calendar the same for every manufacturer?
The general pattern is the same, but dates shift with workshop capacity and fabric supply.
Does fast-fashion production follow this calendar?
Short-run production using stock fabric is more flexible; those styles can be added mid-season.
How can current production be tracked?
The catalog is updated daily with new production; the Merter Wholesale Index page publishes the monthly category and tag distribution.