Accessories

Accessories are items of embellishment that are often used to accompany various types of apparel. Examples of accessories include: handbags, watches, ties, hosiery, gloves, pins, hats, jewelry, belts, sunglasses, scarves, leggings, and sometimes hairpieces. Though accessories are most often used to complement a clothing ensemble, some accessories have practical purposes such as gloves to warm hands, hats for the protection of one’s head and face in the instance of inclement weather, or handbags to carry certain small objects one may need.

Accessory manufacturers are mainly concerned with creating accessories from textiles and other materials. Operators in the manufacturing sector of accessories are involved in the purchase of raw materials, designing of the accessory and then production of samples for show. Manufacturing operators then decide which accessories should be created and in what quantity, and proceed to market the final accessory products. Most accessories are manufactured through companies well-known for designing apparel. However, more individual accessory designers have found their way into the market, and unique handmade pieces are in high demand.

Most accessory retailers sell combination lines or singles lines of accessories. Typically accessory businesses buy the accessories from wholesalers and manufacturers and then proceed to sell the accessory goods to the general consumer without altering the base product. In addition to selling accessories, many merchants in this business also take on sales and administrative tasks of the company that may include inventory control, merchandising and advertising of the product, monetary transactions, and providing customer service.

The accessory industry is often broken up into niche markets as independent designers compete with brand-name companies. Both of these venues are engaged in consistent competition with department stores as well as mass merchandisers, who are able to create accessories in bulk and sell them at lowered prices.