Case studyUpdated By John Coorey

Overstocks of t-shirts, tops, hoodies and jeans

A fashionable clothing manufacturer had 2,797 pieces of overstocks: 845 t-shirts, 1,389 tops and hoodies, 227 jean shorts and 336 jeans. Fashion overstocks sell well when they're cleared quickly and quietly, before the season moves on.

This is a parcel of clothing overstocks we offered to our buyers on behalf of a highly fashionable clothing manufacturer. We didn't publish details that would identify the label, to preserve the client's confidentiality.

What was in the parcel?

2,797 pieces of clothing in total:

Line Pieces
T-shirts 845
Tops and hoodies 1,389
Jean shorts 227
Jeans 336

Why do clothing manufacturers end up with overstocks?

Fashion moves fast. A style misses, an order is cancelled, a retailer cuts its buy, or production runs over. By the time it's clear what didn't sell, the next season is already arriving.

What makes fashion overstocks sellable, and what makes them hard?

T-shirts, hoodies and denim are staples. They sell in most markets, and denim in particular holds its appeal.

The hard part is brand protection. A label doesn't want its jeans sitting in a bargain bin around the corner from its best stockist. That's why confidentiality matters, and why our guide on protecting your brand when clearing stock is worth a read. Size curves matter too: a parcel heavy in one size is harder to place.

Who typically buys it?

  • Overseas buyers, who take stock right out of the local market
  • Discount chains, where the brand allows it
  • Wholesalers and distributors
  • Charities

Each has different motivations, and we structure the offer to suit them while keeping the stock away from the channels you want to protect. More on this in our clothing and footwear page.

What should a seller with similar stock do?

Move while the styles are still current.

  1. Send us a stock list spreadsheet (SKU, description, quantity, cost or RRP if you're happy to share, and any best-before dates), a few photos and the location of the stock. Email it to john@coorey.com or call John on 0411 430 047. Include sizes and colours.
  2. John discreetly surveys the market to find out what it's worth.
  3. In most cases, he makes an offer to buy all of it.

We buy it ourselves, with no fee to you. Read about selling excess stock, or contact John.

Fashion stock you need to clear quietly?

Share the details of your stock, attach a stock list or photos if you have them, and we’ll get back to you personally.

Stock list, photos & documents optional

Drop files or folders here, or browseTap to add photos & filesSpreadsheets, photos, PDFs, videos — any size, as many as you like

    Your details stay confidential. John replies the same business day. Prefer to talk? Call him on 0411 430 047.

    John Coorey

    Managing Director, Coorey and Co. Buying and selling excess stock for over 30 years.

    Frequently asked questions

    Will my label show up at a discount store near my boutiques?

    Not if you don't want it to. We strictly follow your guidelines in relation to pricing and distribution locations.

    Do you need a size breakdown?

    Yes, if you have one. Buyers ask about sizes and colours before anything else.

    Is a couple of thousand pieces too small?

    No. There's no minimum, and small parcels sometimes lead to big ones.

    Can you buy last season's stock?

    Yes. Past-season fashion is a regular part of what we buy. The earlier you call, the better the outcome usually is.

    CallGet an offer