Getting Branded Clothing Right First Time

Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on how businesses choose branded clothing and what’s often missing when everything is done quickly or entirely on line.

After more than 20 years in the industry, one thing has become increasingly clear: more choice doesn’t always lead to better decisions.

Across the apparel industry, there are well over 75 brands available, with thousands of SKUs to choose from. On paper, that sounds positive.  In reality, it can overwhelm decision-making and make it harder for businesses to feel confident they’ve chosen the right garments for their teams.

Too Much Choice Can Slow Things Down

When branded clothing is selected without time to compare garments properly, feel fabrics, or understand branding options, businesses are often forced to guess. What looks right on screen doesn’t always translate in real life.

That’s when issues appear  – garments that don’t quite meet expectations, inconsistent reorders, unnecessary admin and avoidable waste.

If I were in a client’s shoes, I wouldn’t want endless options. I’d want clarity. I’d want to understand the differences between garments, make informed decisions and feel confident that what arrives will be right first time.

Slowing Down at the Start Speeds Things Up Later

This thinking has shaped how we now work at Pentire, including the showroom we’re building.

Yes, taking time upfront can slow the process initially but it does so in the right way.  When decisions are made properly at the start, it removes friction later on.  There are fewer mistakes, fewer reorders and far less disappointment when clothing arrives.

Once those early decisions are locked in, everything else becomes simpler and faster.

Priority Client Partners

That’s where our Priority Client Partners benefit.  Each PCP is supported by a bespoke client portal, making repeat ordering simple, consistent and genuinely efficient. Less admin. Fewer questions. Better outcomes.

Carefully selected Brands, Not Endless Options

We’re often asked why we don’t showcase everything that’s available.

The answer is simple: clarity beats overload.

While there are many brands we can supply, we’ve curated a core selection for our showroom that covers the needs of most businesses without overwhelming them.

With the support of our brand partners, we’ve finalised the ranges we’ll be showcasing:

Stanley/Stella, Tee Jays, Stormtech, Result Recycled, Orn, Premier and AWD.

Together, these brands allow us to support hospitality, workwear, retail, outerwear and more sustainable requirements – guiding clients to the right garments rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution.

Knowing Who We’re Right For

This approach also naturally defines who Pentire is for.

We’re not set up for one-off orders or businesses shopping purely on price. We work best with larger, repeat clients who value service, consistency and long-term relationships. For these businesses, branded clothing isn’t a one-time purchase – it’s an ongoing part of their operation.

Two Mindsets That Shape How We Work

That way of working doesn’t happen by accident. It’s shaped by two mindsets we’ve carried over the years: continual improvement and a strong focus on making decisions simpler / clearer for our clients.

Earlier in my career, when I ran a much larger print shop, I spent time applying principles from Lean manufacturing into our business, a proven way to reduce waste and improve outcomes if implemented successfully.  If you slow the process down in the right places, you remove friction later on. Fewer mistakes. Less rework. Better results.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the year ahead, our focus remains the same: helping businesses make better choices, reduce waste and manage branded clothing with confidence.

Doing things properly at the start isn’t always the quickest route but it’s almost always the best one.