Sep 14, 2026Buying Guides
How to Plan a Wholesale Women’s Shoe Size Run for a New Collection
A practical guide for buyers planning a wholesale women’s shoe size run across heels, sandals, flats and loafers.
How to Plan a Wholesale Women’s Shoe Size Run for a New Collection
Planning a wholesale women’s shoe size run is one of the most important decisions for a new collection. A buyer must balance customer demand, budget, colour choices, shelf space and the risk of holding slow-moving sizes.
There is no single size curve that works for every market. The best approach is to combine previous sales data, customer information and a clearly planned test order.
- Start with your customer and market
Define whether the collection is for boutique customers, online shoppers, department stores, occasionwear buyers or everyday footwear customers. The market affects preferred sizes, heel heights, toe shapes, colours and seasonal demand.
A collection aimed at event dressing may need a different assortment from one focused on office shoes or everyday flats. Review current women’s footwear categories:
https://peixshoes.com/products
- Choose a focused group of categories
A commercial assortment can combine heels for dress collections, high-heel sandals for seasonal launches, flats for everyday wear and loafers for workwear or transitional seasons. The goal is not to offer every possible style. A focused group is easier to merchandise, photograph and reorder.
- Build the initial size curve from evidence
If you have previous sales data, review it by size, colour, style, channel, return reason, region and season. Look for repeated patterns instead of relying on one unusual order. If the collection is new, begin with a conservative test and monitor which sizes receive the most demand.
Check the size plan against the actual last and fitting comments. A size label alone does not guarantee the same fit across different toe shapes, constructions or heel heights.
- Connect colour planning to quantity
Separate core colours for repeat orders from seasonal colours and market-specific options. Colour decisions affect visual merchandising and production efficiency.
For custom logo, shoe box and packaging requirements, the minimum quantity is 160 pairs per colour. Custom footwear development is approximately 160 pairs per design and colour, so the number of colours should be planned before finalizing the assortment.
- Approve the sample before final quantities
Review fit, heel stability, toe shape, material behaviour, stitching, bonding, outsole finish, logo placement and packaging. If changes are required, collect them into one clear revision brief. A complete specification gives the production team a reliable reference for bulk production.
The custom development process covers new designs, private-label details, materials, private lasts and mould discussions:
https://peixshoes.com/custom-development
The first sample is typically ready in around 10 days after confirmed design information. Sample fees are USD 100 and can be refunded or credited toward a confirmed bulk order.
- Treat the first order as a learning cycle
A first wholesale order should answer which styles attract buyers, which colours receive repeat interest, which sizes sell first, whether returns relate to fit, and which designs deserve a reorder. Update the next size curve using actual sales and return data rather than expanding every style equally.
- Include inspection and payment in the buying plan
Before shipment, confirm the expected standard for materials, workmanship, sizing, packaging and quantity. Customers may arrange their own inspection or use a third-party inspection company.
Peix Shoes can work with a 60% deposit and the balance before delivery. Include these checkpoints and the required delivery window in the purchasing calendar.
Wholesale size-run checklist
- Target customer and selling market
- Core footwear categories
- Size range and quantity by size
- Colours and quantity per colour
- MOQ by design and colour
- Logo and packaging requirements
- Approved fitting sample
- Inspection method
- Payment and delivery schedule
For a collection quotation, send your style references, target quantities, market and expected delivery date:
https://peixshoes.com/contact-us
A focused size run creates a clearer test, better inventory control and a stronger basis for future reorders.
