With the US Dollar shrinking rapidly, and a seemingly never-ending series of contradictions regarding the instability of the economy hitting all of the news feeds… it’s easy to see that this holiday season will present some interesting challenges to the wholesale and retail specialists that are trying to tie it all together in time for the major shopping wrap-up of 2009. General merchandise has always been a market with its upswings and downturns, but this time the numbers to focus upon are the forecasts for what kind of money will be spent by the consumer this season in specific areas like Christmas and party supplies… and how you can apply some smart spending of your own towards meeting their specialized demands, without resorting to too much guesswork.

It looks like the ones who research the trends and the global news are going to win. Fortunately for the number-crunchers, there are a variety of resources available for those who want to sink their teeth into the dizzying piles of numbers and spreads that break down consumer spending patterns, regional areas of distinction, and pretty much anything else that you can think of… but how do you filter out all the noise, and find the resources that make sense to you? What’s being offered by manufacturers to your market category? Where can you turn to, without spending all of your time going bleary-eyed from the bluish-cold glow of your PC monitor, and without making you feel like your world has been reduced to a 1680 x 1050 display? Okay, maybe that last part was really just describing my own situation… but you get the idea.

Since every one of you in the wholesale and retail biz are as different as the customers you serve, I’ll try to bring up a few of the main traditional focal points, with another nice and neat TopTen list of popular off-price products being outsourced this holiday season:

• Accessories… there’s never been a better time to start carrying a full range of accessories, from classic to outrageous. With prices dipping and once-successful export companies in China feeling the pinch… you might get a lot for a little, if you apply the right tactics in getting a piece of that surplus at a price you’re happy with. Your customers will be even happier when they see how easy you make it for them to find what they want.

• Apparel… I’ve actually noticed some military-grade bags and other small items that are hitting the racks – with the minimal addition of brands and logos – here in China, because there are a few companies that were making actual military gear… who now find themselves without contracts. Guess who’s going to be rocking the desert-camo cargo pants this year? I’ll be one of them. Maybe you can reach out to these manufacturers, and make a deal?

• Shoes… while there will always be a market for high-end footwear, it’s certainly the designer-inspired and budget-conscious suppliers that will be getting more attention this year. Don’t be afraid to check out the huge market for discount shoes.

• Jewelry… I’ve talked about the rise of online jewelry wholesalers in past posts, but another thing to consider is all the talk about gold and silver prices going through the roof. No, I’m not suggesting that buying jewelry will really be the best way to invest in wealth protection, but what I’m referring to instead is the fact that gold broke the USD1000 mark not too long ago… and it continues to climb. That means people had better buy their gold now, rather than waiting for the prices to continue the hike. Are you educating your customers about this? Of course, this means your timely large-volume purchases will protect you from rising costs down the road, too.

• Toys… factory closures in China - and more than a few unscrupulous bosses disappearing with the company’s cash - have been making news here in the PRC, and that means that there are a lot of toys floating around with no place to go. This year’s Christmas will be the year of seeking value, and you can direct your customers to the best ones, if you act fast.

• Electronics… I don’t need to say a lot about this one, do I? China is on a mission to build up its reputation as the world’s next electronics empire… and that means that right now you will find a lot of companies that want to bring their low price-point goods to you, in the hopes that it will boost their budgets for development, and push them to the front end of the surge. Again, this is a nice example of some leverage you may have over them. Beware of really poorly-performing hardware, though… just remember to buy smart, and win.

• Health and Beauty… this is a great example of unknown Asian companies making their move. Did you know that Asian and Indian women have distinctly different needs than Caucasian women, with regard to simple things like concealer, lip liner, shader… and… all that other stuff that I’m suddenly embarrassed to admit I know a lot about? Do you know the demographics of your community – both online and on your street – that will influence your buying decisions? Do you know anything about Kevin, the famous makeup artist from Taiwan? Why don’t you Google him (by the way, this is a different guy from Kevyn Aucoin, the famed American cosmetics entrepreneur) and find out what Asian women are looking for in the USA. Be the first one to offer it to them at a special price! Here’s a tidbit for you: in China, the general consensus is that Japanese and Korean companies are the only ones who make top-quality cosmetics for the Asian market. That means the Chinese products can be had for a low price… for now.

• Handbags… nothing replaces this category, and both men and women will be looking for the all-purpose ‘field kit’ that looks less like a nerdy excuse to keep all of your valuables on your person, and more like a stylish reason to carry extra items that come in handy when you’re out and about.

• Home Décor… lots of folks are going to be moving to smaller homes, rental homes, and even moving in with friends and family as this housing crisis continues its graceful descent into oblivion. Sounds great, right? Well, the fact remains that people like to be comfortable… and that means offering the goods to make a new - and perhaps less posh - living space feel more like home, will be appreciated.

• Food… ah, I saved the best for last. I was in the Food and Beverage business for years, and my prediction is that more families will be giving the gift of cookware this year, in an effort to curb spending by not eating out too often. There’s a lot of choice in the market, since the culinary craze of the past 20 years has built a very solid foundation of foodies far and wide… but this year, the emphasis will be on finding high-nourishment… and half the fat. Bad joke, I know. Pay attention to the smaller, low-cost items of choice in the area of home cooking, and family-sized wares.

Lest I forget, you can always turn to the power-packed pages of Toptenwholesale.com for a solid lead-generator, and a glimpse into what the trends are, in real-time. Other information to peruse would be COMSCORE’s helpful data, like the chart below.

It’s impossible to cover all the bases in one post, but it’s a start. Hopefully you will continue the search for the best outsource options, as you gear up for the most unpredictable holiday shopping season we’ve seen in a long time… just remember to Find it. Source it. Profit!

Today’s consumers are looking to you to provide them with the wholesale fashion accessories that transform a lifeless, drab, and uninspired costume into one that leaves people wondering why they didn’t find the source first? Clue your customers in to your secret (well… not so secret, I hope) cache of bling and other things that will increase your item count, and push your sales volume a tad further than if you strictly tried to rely upon the outdated strategy of thrusting a ready-to-wear costume in front of the customer… expecting them to dutifully take it, with no further questions to ask.

This is where you’re going to have to get creative, and start thinking fast about how you can create a palette of colors, textures, and materials that perhaps don’t just fall into the Halloween category. You might want to think about upping the ante with high-value goods that can be used for occasions other than fright night. Here’s a little TopTen list of hot wholesale fashion accessories that you might want to consider:

• Jewelry – it’s a bit more expensive, sure… but it represents an investment. Raise the bar on your sales goals, by offering something that is classy, functional, and not too easily pinned down to the purpose of being part of a Halloween costume. Something that can be used year-round will justify itself when the customers are reaching for their wallets.

• Belts – these things practically sell themselves. If there were ever a fashion accessory that could be classified as supremely versatile, the humble belt is it. It will look great as an add-on to the Halloween costumes that hit the streets this year, and those same belts will continue to bring satisfaction to your customers, as they become part of the wardrobe for the Autumn/Winter season.

• Scarves – another old stand-by in the accessories game, this one will instantly add a splash of color to any outfit, bring the focal point to a new location, or add an element of mystery to an ensemble. It’s just a matter of what style, and what is done with them. Suggest three or four to your customers, and maybe even give a special holiday BOGO to keep them moving.

• Hats – while these can be tricky to accessorize into a costume, there is the benefit of cold weather on the way. Function over fashion might be a selling feature, and in some parts of the country an easily-stashed, colorful knit hat will be a lifesaver for those who decide to wear less, and stay outdoors a little more.

• Glasses – in China, the trend for the past year has been big, thick, plastic glasses with no lenses. Time will tell if this takes off in the States… but you could be the one to pull the trigger on this accessory getting early publicity! Glasses can be found on the cheap from a variety of producers these days, and you might be surprised to learn that the optics industry has been taking astonishing profits on specs for years… there’s no reason to let them have all the fun.

• Shoes – the undisputed champs of fashion accessories, these items are going to become more important as the focus shifts from an overall ensemble, to details that count.

• Bags – how else are you supposed to carry things? You might as well make sure that your customers are doing it in style.

• Chains – these are the ‘wild card’ goods that have been gaining popularity over the past few years… they appeared on the belt loops of punk rockers in the 90’s, and now they are becoming synonymous with the hip-hop crowd. It pays to keep some of these in stock, just to keep things on an even keel.

• Quirky Items – trust me when I say that sequined gloves are going to be big this year. So will the toys that resemble futuristic weapons like Star Trek hand-held phasers. Goofy ties, stockings with designs, and all manner of cosmetic appliances will be the rage, as people try to copycat their favorite looks from Hollywood’s blockbusters.

• Gifts – what, nobody ever gave you a pair of plastic glow-in-the-dark Dracula fangs, just because you showed up at the party? Giving gifts to your guests and friends - even unsuspecting random victims – will set the tone for fun, as the party goes on.

There’s a lot of great ideas out there, and you should try to put your feelers out early, to see what your customers are asking for. A quick survey or e-newsletter with an email response option to a few simple questions could prove to be highly valuable, since it will not only give you a feel for what accessories are making news… but it may even provide you with some useful data about who’s reading your newsletters anyway! If you’re not sure how this works, take a look at the Toptenwholesale.com email blast newsletter, and be sure to register if you’re not already getting the news!

Since consumers everywhere are making changes to their spending habits — and the fashion industry has felt the pinch of profit margins slashed by falling sales volumes — it’s become more important than ever for quality products to become available to small vendors, since they are one of the last links in the chain that ends with the consumer.

On top of that, many of the leading wholesale distributors are forming partnerships and relationships with exclusive designers and manufacturers who produce goods that won’t show up anywhere else. This means your search for unique and fresh fashions for men, women, and children are all in front of you, and only a mouse click away. It also means that those popular and high-demand items like bags, belts, and other fashion accessories can be found at discounted wholesale prices, through your favorite online distributor!

Wholesale distributors like Shopforbags.com are sensitive to the needs of the smaller vendors. Minimum orders start at only $100, and buyers can mix and match designer products to create the perfect order for their business! There are more than 1,000 fashion products available, and all orders are shipped within 48 hours, which will be perfect for those who want to avoid delays in restocking their shelves as the products take off. It’s nice to know that you can have a friend in the business who will offer discounts on orders that were only available to the larger outlets in the past, but are now easily within your reach. This trend is gaining momentum, and the choices will invariably broaden as the market grows into its new position in the ever-changing global wholesale and retail community.

Other savvy distributors can also be found through TopTenWholesale.com Twitter account by droves of loyal retailers, and it would pay to look for the ones who employ online-only incentives that come in many forms, such as a current offer to receive free shipping for using a checkout code for all new accounts… or an e-coupon that applies credit to the next order. It’s no doubt that new incentives will manifest themselves over time, if you just want to wait. However, new competitors will also emerge from the shadows, so what are you waiting for?

Take a look at WholesaleU

• Handbags – the product directory that leads you to see some of the hottest and latest styles on offer from a collection of suppliers.

Check out Top Ten Wholesale

• Fashion Accessories - a vertical search engine with a plethora of assorted accessories and must-haves for the fashion experts in the wholesale business.

Something that surprises me is the fact that jade jewelry has long been the understated adornment, even though it’s been around for a very long time (some jade artifacts have been excavated from prehistoric sites) and it’s always been considered a thing of beauty and value. Today’s jade can be found worn by many men, women, and children in China, Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. It’s still got the mystique of being a treasured Oriental material, yet has deep roots in South American history as well. Another thing that surprises me is the fact that while I was living in the USA, I saw jade on a very rare basis. Living in China, I see it all the time.

I personally think we will see a big surge in the Western jade market in the coming months and years, mainly because the rising level of interest in Asian culture is in direct proportion to the news headlines that cover stories ranging from the deals gone wrong between China and Australia… to the positive changes in the realm of IPR (intellectual property rights) and… the WTO recently handing down a verdict to China — in the USA’s favor — over opening up the market for entertainment and media channels without government-sponsored middlemen. Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself… those are stories for another blog.

As for purchasing jade and related pieces of jewelry, it takes a real expert to make the call on what stones are truly of exquisite value, and which ones are just polished up to look nice under showroom lights. I won’t even attempt to make you a connoisseur after reading this, but you’ll at least have some understanding of what details to look for as you search for the right seller/distributor to supply you with some jade that will entice your customers who are looking for something special and unique.

First of all, there isn’t a clear-cut set of rules and standards for the grading and selection of jade at the production level. Sometimes, a panel of experts from renowned Chinese universities will assist with the process, and there are also numerous independent experts that can also be called upon to give their perspectives on making the determinations… but unfortunately – as with so many things in the PRC – the ‘experts’ are nothing more than a few guys who have some form of protection through the Byzantine maze of connections and guanxi that China is so infamous for. What’s a wholesaler to do? Are you at the mercy of scammers, or is there anything you can do to protect yourself and your investment?

Without pointing out the obvious (due dliligence!) stuff… I will provide some items to consider, when making the leap to buying a truckload of jade from China. In fact, this sounds like a good time for another TopTen List, doesn’t it?

• Be prepared to look at a lot of different sellers. Walking away at the faintest hint of something that doesn’t feel right is usually the best course of action, and it will often save you from being roped into a deal that doesn’t suit you or your customers. Most of the major established sellers can be found on the East Coast, and places like Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang Province and Fujian Province are a hotbed of jade activity… both the good and the bad.

• Know a little about the basics of jade characteristics. Jade is a tough and fairly hard material, a lot like quartz in many respects. If you can plainly see chips and flakes of stone being produced by the goods in question, walk away. If there are cracks and breaks along the pieces, you are better off without them. Imagine you are giving this as a gift to a loved one. If it wouldn’t be good enough for you, it’s probably not good enough for your buyers either.

• Color of the stone is the single most important characteristic. Hands down. Some people prefer an intense emerald-like hue, while other jade-lovers like to see a bluish-waxy color that looks soft and buttery. All of them are okay, and to be honest, jade comes in a lot of different colors. Something for everyone!

• Intensity of the color can be a lot like looking at a piece of ice. Have you ever wondered why some ice cubes look as clear as glass, while others might have a cloudy, almost milky appearance? So have I. This will be a factor in determining the value of your jade.

• Brightness of color, and the finish is very much a subjective sticking point, and while some dealers tell you that a high gloss is preferred, others will tell you that the ‘greasy’ look is the mark of truly superb material. Research your market, and know what your customer wants before getting too carried away with this part.

• Evenness of color and depth is the last one of the ‘big four’… and it’s the one that usually separates real from fake in the least amount of time. High-quality jade is even in color, and extremely expensive. If you are getting perfect pieces of jade that show no variations in their color for a bargain price, you should know that you are still paying too much. The merchandise could very well be glass, or some other mineral that has been dyed or polished with a colored wax that will wear away faster than your reputation!

• Be prepared to make ‘em wait a while. Nothing will flush out the bluffers like making them nervous with a vague timeline, or no clear indication of how long you plan to be in the area. Of course this goes both ways, and the Chinese are no strangers to the waiting game.

• Don’t let the cargo leave your sight! I’ve heard a good number of horror stories from quite a few laowai doing business in China, and the one thing that is consistently at the top of the list (besides disappearing funds!) is the old bait-and-switch. Perhaps the best advice I have ever heard was from a guy I know who buys in China, and trades industrial uniforms and safety apparel to some companies and institutions in Africa… he told me that he personally inspects the cargo, seals the container, and then sits by it (sometimes for hours) until it’s on the ship! Pretty extreme, but then again, your blood pressure will be too… if you find out you’ve been had.

• Avoid generic names, and try to apply the proper names of the material you sell, even if it means making the extra effort at branding or marketing a new concept to the public. After all, the one thing scammers hate most is a well-informed buyer, and the only way you will weed out the bad sellers from the good ones is by making sure that your customers are asking for the right stuff by name. Words like serpentine (also bowenite), carnelian, aventurine quartz, grossularite, Vesuvianite, and soapstone should become part of your vocabulary.

• Further education goes a long way, if you want to make jade your area of expertise. Since there isn’t one single, unified global standard in the industry, and the lines are quite blurry from one definition to the next, you have a great opportunity to become the expert!

There are great advantages to being the first guy on the block to offer jade to willing buyers… but the reality of the situation is that you’ve got to make certain of the risks involved. While it’s easy to say that doing biz in China isn’t worth the hassle, frustration, and immeasurable layers of deception… it’s also quite valid to point out that being the one with the endurance to earn your chops through careful and steady forward growth will pay off in the end. I’ve said it a hundred times before: if it was easy… everyone would be doing it, right? Do you remember what I mentioned earlier about blood pressure? It’s said by numerous Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates that wearing jade can improve and regulate blood circulation… you might want to start there!