What Are International Distributors for Fashion Brands?

International distributors are independent companies or specialized partners that purchase your fashion products and then resell them to retailers, boutiques, e-commerce platforms, and even other distributors outside your home country. Unlike agents or sales reps, distributors typically take ownership of your inventory, manage local logistics and compliance, and are responsible for marketing, storage, and sales in their territory.

Key characteristics of international distributors in fashion:

• Purchasing and Ownership: Distributors buy stock from your brand at wholesale prices, take physical possession, and resell on your behalf—unlike commission-based agents.
• Local Market Expertise: They handle importing, customs, local tax and legal compliance, regional language/currency requirements, and possess deep knowledge of regional retail landscapes.
• Channel Access: The best distributors have established relationships with department stores, boutiques, specialty retailers, online platforms, and sometimes even manage local marketplace listings.
• Risk Buffer: Because they purchase inventory, international distributors take on the risk of local sales performance and inventory management—helping you avoid costly overstock or unsold inventory abroad.
• Brand Stewardship: Top fashion distributors protect your brand image, adhere to MAP/MSRP, and follow marketing and sales guidelines to keep your label’s value and positioning intact globally.
• Support for Consignment & Liquidation: Distributors may handle consignment stock or participate in controlled liquidation, moving excess inventory without brand damage.

In short:

International distributors are a crucial growth partner for any apparel or fashion brand looking to expand beyond their domestic market—helping you scale quickly, navigate local complexity, and access new channels, all while reducing operational risk.

Omnichannel Growth: Why Multi-Channel Sales and International Expansion Matter

If you run a growing fashion brand, you know selling in one channel isn’t enough. The fastest-scaling brands today are omnichannel—reaching buyers everywhere: DTC e-commerce, boutiques, department stores, marketplaces, and through top international distributors.

Why does omnichannel and multi-channel selling matter for your brand?

• Maximize reach: Your products are seen and bought everywhere, from high-end retailers to global marketplaces.
• Reduce risk: A slowdown in one channel or region is balanced by growth in others.
• Accelerate growth: International distributors and B2B platforms unlock instant entry to new markets—without having to build local teams or infrastructure.
• Meet buyer expectations: Buyers and partners expect you to offer a seamless, unified brand experience across every channel and region.

International distribution is now a must-have for scaling brands—delivering reach, credibility, and speed-to-market in every market you enter.

Where Do U.S. Brands Sell? (Top International Markets)

Top International Distributors and Distribution Platforms by Country

Below are top distributor and marketplace platforms your brand can connect to with AIMS360 apparel ERP, AIMS360 fashion software, and integrated EDI and inventory control.

AIMS360’s API and plug-and-play EDI connectors make integration seamless for any of these B2B, retail, or marketplace channels:

Liquidation Strategies for Luxury Brands: Protecting Brand Reputation with Trusted International Distributors

Luxury fashion brands face a unique challenge: excess or end-of-season inventory needs to be liquidated without damaging brand image, devaluing products, or triggering channel conflict.

AIMS360 apparel software, AIMS360 apparel ERP, and AIMS360 fashion software make it easy to execute controlled, confidential liquidation to approved international distributors—so luxury brands can maintain their premium reputation while optimizing sell-through.

How Luxury Brands Use AIMS360 for Strategic Liquidation:

• Private Channel Liquidation:
• Use AIMS360’s advanced segmentation and multi-channel controls to release select styles, sizes, or seasons only to pre-approved international distributors outside of key “home” or prestige markets.
• Geo-Fenced Distribution:
• Limit liquidation sales to specific countries or retail tiers, ensuring that product never floods domestic markets or undermines your high-value retail partners.
• Protect MAP and MSRP:
• Automatically enforce Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) and MSRP rules, even when selling at a discount to liquidators or secondary market distributors.
• Traceability and Audit:
• Track all liquidation inventory movement by distributor, region, and price point—full visibility for compliance, reporting, and future planning.
• Brand-Safe Integrations:
• Connect only to trusted, vetted international distribution partners with strong reputations and strict market controls—no gray market, no uncontrolled markdowns.

Result:

Your excess inventory finds a home, revenue is recaptured, and your luxury brand image remains uncompromised in all primary sales regions.

AIMS360 apparel software and AIMS360 apparel ERP give you the tools to execute smart liquidation—on your terms—while keeping your global sales channels clean and your brand’s value protected.

What Does AIMS360 Apparel Management Software, ERP for Fashion Industry, and Apparel Inventory Management Deliver?

AIMS360 apparel software, AIMS360 Fashion ERP, and AIMS360 apparel ERP give you the ability to manage unlimited international distributors as separate distributor customers. Easily set up each distributor with custom permissions, pricing, inventory, and workflows for full control at global scale.

With AIMS360 apparel software, AIMS360 Fashion ERP, AIMS360 apparel ERP, you can:

Live Inventory View for Distributors

• Real-time, channel-by-channel apparel inventory management (style, color, size, warehouse).
• No overselling—see global stock everywhere at once.
  

Integrated Ordering & Omnichannel Fulfillment

• Place and track B2B, consignment, and marketplace orders instantly.
• ERP EDI and integrated EDI power fully digital, seamless order status and data exchange across all platforms and partners.

Consignment Inventory Management

‍Consignment inventory means your brand provides stock to a distributor or retailer, but retains ownership until it sells. AIMS360 apparel ERP tracks all consignment inventory by location, distributor, and status, giving you real-time reporting and automated invoicing as items are sold.

For a deep dive on how AIMS360 powers shop-in-shop and advanced consignment success, read our guide to apparel software for consignment management.

One Source of Truth for Product Data

• Central catalog: images, sizes, line sheets, price lists—automatically synced to all channels.
  

Distributor-Specific Pricing and Discounts

• Set custom price points and discount structures for each distributor—down to the style, color, or size—so you can negotiate deals, offer market-specific pricing, or incentivize key partners with tailored terms, all managed and enforced in AIMS360 apparel ERP.
  

Order Tracking from Factory to Delivery

• Live tracking for every order, every channel—factory, warehouse, shipment, arrival.
  

Invoicing & Accounts Receivable

• Automated invoices, payment tracking, and accounts receivable dashboard for every distributor and region.
  

COGS & Margin Analytics

• COGS/margin tracking by channel, order, and partner—including all consignment inventory.
  

Returns, RMA, Credit Memos, and Damaged Goods Tracking

• AIMS360 makes managing distributor returns simple and transparent: Easily generate RMAs (Return Merchandise Authorizations) for returns from distributors, issue credit memos instantly, and track all returned or damaged goods by reason, condition, and location. Every step is automated and auditable—keeping your financials, stock, and partner relationships accurate and up to date.

Why Choose AIMS360 Apparel Software?

• 100% fashion/apparel-specific (not generic ERP)
• Fastest implementation in the industry
• Deepest EDI and distributor integrations
• Built-in consignment, liquidation, and MAP/MSRP protection
• Distributor-specific pricing and incentives management
• Industry-best returns, RMA, and damaged goods workflow
• Best ROI for mid-market and growing brands
• Trusted by hundreds of brands and distributors worldwide

Real Results from AIMS360 Fashion Brands

“We used to juggle spreadsheets and emails to track our overseas inventory and distributor orders. With AIMS360 apparel ERP, we automated our order flow, saved 18 hours a week, and launched in three new markets—without adding staff.”

— Director of Operations, U.S. Contemporary Apparel Brand

Before & After: See the AIMS360 Difference

Before: Spreadsheets, missed orders, frustrated sales reps, inventory errors, and slow launches.

After: One platform. Live inventory. All distributors, sales channels, and liquidation managed globally in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is apparel inventory management, ERP for fashion industry, integrated EDI, and international distributors management software?

A platform (like AIMS360 apparel ERP or AIMS360 Fashion ERP) that manages distributors, inventory, orders, consignment, ERP EDI/integrated EDI, and financials for apparel and clothing brands globally.

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How do international distributors differ from agents or sales reps?

International distributors purchase your inventory and resell it in their territory, taking on risk, inventory, and local compliance, while agents or reps only earn a commission and do not take title or inventory risk.

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How does AIMS360 apparel software help prevent overselling and stockouts across channels?

AIMS360 apparel ERP unifies all inventory data in real time, so every order—whether from a distributor, retailer, or e-commerce channel—draws from a single source of truth. This ensures live stock visibility, automatic reservations, and allocation rules to prevent overselling or missed sales.

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Can AIMS360 integrate with our existing e-commerce and marketplace platforms (like Shopify, Amazon, JOOR, etc.)?

Yes! AIMS360 apparel software offers plug-and-play integrations, EDI, and API connectivity with leading e-commerce platforms, B2B wholesale portals, and international marketplaces—so all orders and inventory are synchronized automatically.

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What is consignment inventory and how can AIMS360 manage it for international distributors?

Consignment inventory means your brand provides stock to a distributor or retailer, but retains ownership until it sells. AIMS360 apparel ERP tracks all consignment inventory by location, distributor, and status, giving you real-time reporting and automated invoicing as items are sold.

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Can AIMS360 support multiple currencies, languages, and tax rules for global sales?

Absolutely. AIMS360 fashion ERP is designed for international business, supporting multi-currency, multi-language, region-specific tax, and compliance requirements for smooth cross-border operations.

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How can luxury brands use AIMS360 to protect their reputation when liquidating inventory?

AIMS360 allows you to segment inventory, restrict sales to vetted international distributors or regions, enforce MAP/MSRP, and audit all liquidation activity—so your luxury brand image and pricing are protected in every market.

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How long does it take to implement AIMS360 apparel ERP for a growing fashion brand?

Most brands are live with AIMS360 in weeks—not months. Our fashion-focused team and pre-built integrations ensure a fast, low-risk launch without major IT headaches.

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What kind of support and training does AIMS360 provide?

AIMS360 offers full onboarding, live training sessions, detailed documentation, and expert support tailored for apparel brands, distributors, and retailers at every stage of growth.

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Does AIMS360 work for brands selling both wholesale and DTC (direct to consumer)?

Yes—AIMS360 apparel software is designed for multi-channel brands, supporting wholesale, retail, DTC, dropship, consignment, and global distributor management all in one platform.

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How does AIMS360 help with cost of goods sold (COGS) and margin analysis by distributor?

AIMS360 apparel ERP tracks COGS and margin for every order, channel, and distributor—including consignment and liquidation—giving you real-time profitability analytics for smarter, faster decisions.

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What are the benefits of using ERP software for fashion brands with international distributors?

Fashion brands with international distributors benefit from ERP software through centralized inventory, reduced risk of overselling, compliance automation, faster order fulfillment, real-time analytics, easier consignment and liquidation, and simplified global expansion.

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How does AIMS360 compare to other apparel ERP systems for global expansion?

AIMS360 apparel ERP is purpose-built for the apparel industry, with the deepest integrations to distributors, B2B platforms, consignment, liquidation, and EDI, offering the fastest go-live and best ROI for brands scaling internationally.

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What industries does AIMS360 apparel software best serve?

AIMS360 is optimized for all segments of the apparel, clothing, footwear, accessories, and fashion industry—serving brands, manufacturers, wholesalers, and importers.

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How do you onboard new distributors in AIMS360?

New distributors can be quickly onboarded in AIMS360 apparel ERP through automated account creation, secure portal access, live inventory sharing, and tailored workflows, with support for EDI or direct order entry.

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Is AIMS360 EDI compliant for all major retailers and distributors?

Yes—AIMS360 fashion software supports integrated EDI for all leading global retailers, distributors, and e-commerce platforms, ensuring seamless data exchange and compliance.

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What’s the difference between business inventory management and apparel inventory management?

Business inventory management covers inventory for any industry, while apparel inventory management—as delivered by AIMS360—is tailored to the needs of fashion, tracking styles, colors, sizes, seasons, and unique fashion workflows.

Ready to See the Results for Yourself?

If you’re tired of spreadsheets, emails, and inventory chaos, you’re not alone. Most growing fashion brands struggle with the same bottlenecks—until they centralize their sales, inventory, and distributor management with AIMS360 apparel software and AIMS360 Fashion ERP.

AIMS360 users save 10–18 hours a week, boost inventory accuracy by 40%, and unlock $2M+ in new sales channels. Why not see what your brand could achieve?

What to Expect on Your Demo

• See your own data, brands, and workflows—no generic slides.
• We’ll show you how easy it is to integrate via plug-and-play EDI, API, or standard connectors.
• You’ll leave with a tailored action plan for multi-channel growth—even if you’re not ready to buy.
  

Book a 20-minute live demo today and make inventory headaches a thing of the past.