Top 5 Trends in Wholesale for 2026

The Wholesale Trends of 2026

There are five trends we predict will significantly change the fashion wholesale landscape in 2026. 

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• The Resurgence of Wholesale: wholesale distribution has become many brands' most profitable channel and offers great growth potential 

• AI-Driven Acceleration: AI will spearhead the future of wholesale, and data quality will be the key to unlocking its potential

• In-Season Buying Is on the Rise: retailers are favoring brands with shorter order lead times
  
• Brands Creating Tighter Collections: evergreen and bestselling styles are better for budgets and eco-conscious buyers
• ‍Indie Retail’s Continued Growth: the allure of independent retail is increasing, and the appeal is global

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A Look Back on Wholesale in 2025

The JOOR 2025 Wholesale Trend Report correctly predicted the rise of independent retail, luxury pricing increases, and a shift from DTC brands to wholesale.

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Alongside these anticipated industry shifts emerged new challenges in the form of evolving tariff structures and heightened economic volatility, compelling the industry to innovate and adapt once again.

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Brands and retailers looking to succeed in 2026 must be more agile than ever before to ensure they navigate the volatile fashion landscape. Staying ahead of the curve with data insights can help you future-proof your fashion business today and secure its success tomorrow.

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Use the findings from our free wholesale trends whitepaper to enter the coming year of business in the best position possible. 

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The Resurgence of Wholesale

An increasing number of brands are looking to wholesale as a powerful tool for raising brand awareness, testing new products, and scaling profitably. In fact, our latest market survey revealed that wholesale was brands' largest and most profitable channel of distribution. 

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Our whitepaper explores how brands can access the untapped potential in wholesale and use it as a tool to drive exponential growth.  

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AI-Driven Acceleration 

Artificial Intelligence has dominated industry conversations in recent years, but 2026 will mark a pivotal moment when AI will make the move from a tool for operational efficiency to a powerful strategy for unlocking growth.

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In the whitepaper, we discuss what this could look like for brands and retailers, and how businesses can prepare themselves for these changes. 

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In-Season Buying Is on the Rise

Retailer desire has increasingly shifted toward shorter lead times, reshaping expectations around production and delivery timelines. In 2026, brands should anticipate being asked to hold more stock to facilitate these in-season orders. 

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Download the full whitepaper for tips and tools that can help you meet these changing buyer demands while also growing your business. 

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Brands Creating Tighter Collections

Our latest Market Survey found that the share of brands producing a full new collection has steadily declined from 2023 to 2025 as businesses look to optimize product development. The number of brands developing smaller capsule collections of new styles has risen sharply, with evergreen styles also becoming an increasingly important business driver.

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Our whitepaper explores what collection creation and buyer assortments will look like in the year ahead and how to best prepare for these changes. 

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Indie Retail’s Continued Growth

Specialty stores and independent boutiques have gained notable market share in recent years, and their international appeal looks set to continue into 2026.

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In the whitepaper, we break down the enduring appeal of independents and how brands can leverage them strategically in business. 

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How To Future-Proof Your Wholesale Business

Download the full 2026 wholesale trends whitepaper for a comprehensive deep dive into the industry data driving these trends, and learn how you can leverage these insights to spearhead your company’s growth. 

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Ready to optimize your wholesale operations to be best prepared for the coming year? Book a demo with JOOR today.