How to Stock Hat Sizes: Wholesale Sizing Strategy for UK Retailers

Buying the right hat styles is only half of a retailer’s stock decision. The other half is making sure those styles are available in the sizes customers actually need.

For UK retailers, poor size planning can create two opposite problems: popular sizes selling out too quickly, or too much stock sitting in sizes that move slowly.

This guide looks at wholesale hat sizing UK from a retail stock-planning perspective, focusing on how to build a practical size assortment, identify demand patterns and improve repeat orders over time.

What Is a Hat Size Assortment?

A hat size assortment is the mix of sizes a retailer chooses to hold for a particular style.

For example, a product may be available in several fitted sizes. The retailer then needs to decide how many units of each size to stock.

The aim is not necessarily to hold the same quantity of every size. The aim is to create enough coverage for customers while avoiding unnecessary stock concentration.

Why Size Planning Matters Commercially

Retailers usually think first about colour, shape and material because these are the most visible parts of the product.

However, sizing directly affects whether the customer can complete the purchase.

Weak size planning can lead to:

• customers finding the right hat but not the right fit;
• popular sizes selling through much faster than expected;
• slow-moving stock building up in other sizes;
• missed repeat sales;
• greater pressure on inventory cash flow;
• less efficient wholesale reordering.

Start With Coverage, Not Depth

When a retailer has little or no previous sizing data, the first order should usually be treated as a learning order.

Instead of buying deeply into one size based on an assumption, it can be more useful to create reasonable coverage across the available size range.

This allows the retailer to discover which sizes actually perform best with their own customer base.

What Is a Retail Size Curve?

A size curve is the pattern showing how demand is distributed across different sizes.

For example, one retailer may find that certain middle sizes sell fastest, while another store may see stronger demand in larger sizes.

The important point is that the size curve should be based on actual store demand rather than copied from another retailer.

How to Build Your First Hat Size Mix

For a new product or category, use a simple process:

1. Check all sizes currently available.
2. Review the customer profile for that hat style.
3. Avoid overcommitting to one size without evidence.
4. Create enough size variety to test demand.
5. Record which sizes sell first.
6. Adjust the next order using real sales information.

Carriston retailers can refer to the Carriston Hat Size Guide when reviewing available sizing guidance.

The Three Types of Hat Stock to Monitor

Core Sizes

These are the sizes that repeatedly sell and may justify deeper stock on future orders.

Test Sizes

These are sizes where demand is still unclear. They can be useful to carry in smaller quantities until customer behaviour becomes more predictable.

Slow-Moving Sizes

If a particular size regularly remains in stock long after other sizes sell through, the next order may need to be adjusted.

Use Sell-Through, Not Guesswork

Retailers should review how quickly each size sells relative to the quantity originally purchased.

This is more useful than simply looking at whether a product sold at all.

Signal	Possible Buying Action
A size repeatedly sells out first	Consider increasing its quantity on repeat orders
A size sells consistently but slowly	Maintain modest stock rather than overbuying
A size receives enquiries while out of stock	Treat enquiries as additional demand evidence
A size remains unsold for long periods	Reduce its depth on future orders where appropriate

Different Hat Categories Can Have Different Size Patterns

Retailers should not assume that one size curve applies across every hat category.

The customer buying a Western hat may be different from the customer buying a formal or short-brim style.

That means sizing should be reviewed at product or category level.

Fedora Hats

Fedora demand may vary by season, material and customer profile.

View current Fedora Hats.

Cowboy Hats

Western styles may develop their own demand pattern depending on the retailer’s audience.

Explore Cowboy Hats.

Trilby Hats

Short-brim styles may attract a different customer group from wider-brim hats.

Browse Trilby Hats.

Pork Pie Hats

Pork pie hats should also be evaluated independently rather than grouped automatically with other fitted styles.

See current Pork Pie Hats.

Customer Enquiries Are Valuable Stock Data

Sales are not the only useful signal.

If customers regularly ask for a size that is unavailable, those enquiries should be recorded.

Questions such as:

• “Do you have this in another size?”
• “When will this size return?”
• “Does this style come in a larger fit?”

can reveal demand that completed-order data alone may not show.

Physical Stores Have an Extra Advantage

Retailers with physical stores can observe try-on behaviour.

Staff can note:

• which sizes customers request most often;
• which products need repeated size changes during fitting;
• which sizes disappear from the rail first;
• which styles generate the strongest interest.

This information can make future wholesale ordering more accurate.

Online Retailers Need Stronger Size Communication

Ecommerce retailers do not have the benefit of in-store fitting, so product information becomes more important.

Online hat listings should clearly show:

• available sizes;
• head measurement guidance;
• fit or adjustability where applicable;
• material;
• relevant product details;
• a clear route to the size guide.

The Carriston Hat Size Guide provides a useful reference point for customers and retailers.

Do Not Reorder the Same Quantities Automatically

One of the simplest ways retailers can improve stock efficiency is to avoid repeating the exact same size quantities on every order.

The first order is based partly on expectation.

The second order can be based on evidence.

Before reordering, review:

• which sizes sold out;
• which sizes are still available;
• how long each size took to sell;
• customer enquiries;
• seasonal changes;
• upcoming promotions or events.

Seasonality Changes Stock Depth

Retailers may need different quantities at different times of year.

For example, summer-oriented styles may need deeper stock before warmer periods, while wool felt styles may become more relevant as the weather changes.

The size mix itself may stay relatively stable while the overall quantity increases or decreases.

Balance Size Depth With Product Variety

Retailers have to balance two things:

Product variety gives customers more styles to choose from.

Size depth gives customers a better chance of finding the right fit.

Too much variety with very little size coverage can frustrate customers.

Too much depth in only a few styles can make the range feel limited.

The strongest assortment usually balances both.

Simple Monthly Size Review for Retailers

A retailer can review sizing performance once a month using a simple checklist:

• Which sizes sold fastest?
• Which sizes are currently out of stock?
• Which sizes received customer enquiries?
• Which sizes remain overstocked?
• Which categories are growing?
• Which products are seasonal?
• Which sizes should increase on the next order?
• Which should be reduced?

How Carriston Wholesale Ordering Works

Approved Carriston trade customers can access wholesale pricing through their wholesale account and order from the available Carriston catalogue.

The current minimum wholesale order is £100.

Retailers can visit the Carriston Wholesale page for trade account information and current wholesale access.

Final Retail Buying Takeaway

Good hat sizing is not about predicting customer demand perfectly.

It is about building a sensible first assortment, collecting real sales information and improving each order using evidence.

For retailers, this creates a more disciplined buying process and can help reduce both missed sales and unnecessary stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a retail hat size curve?

A size curve is the pattern showing how demand is distributed across the different sizes a retailer sells.

Should retailers buy the same quantity of every hat size?

Not necessarily. A balanced initial order can be useful when demand is unknown, but future quantities should reflect actual sales and customer behaviour.

How can a retailer identify its strongest hat sizes?

Track sell-through, stock-outs, customer enquiries and repeat sales for each size.

Should different hat categories use the same size mix?

Not automatically. Fedora, cowboy, trilby, pork pie and other categories may attract different customers and should be reviewed separately.

What should retailers do when one size regularly sells out?

If demand is consistent, increasing the quantity of that size on future orders may be appropriate.

Can Carriston hats be bought wholesale?

Yes. Approved trade customers can access Carriston wholesale pricing through their wholesale account.

What is the Carriston wholesale minimum order?

The current minimum wholesale order is £100.