Buyers new to wholesale maternity clothing most often confuse three concepts: MOQ, the assortment box, and size distribution. In practice, all three are parts of a single, connected planning process.
What is MOQ?
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is the lowest number of units a supplier agrees to produce in a single run. MOQ depends on the manufacturer's cost structure — factors like minimum fabric-cutting runs and sewing-line efficiency determine it. A high MOQ doesn't automatically signal a "bad supplier" — sometimes it simply reflects a larger, more established production capacity.
How does an assortment box lower the MOQ barrier?
Rather than requiring you to meet MOQ with a single style in a single size, good suppliers offer an assortment box: a package combining several styles and sizes in set ratios. This way the total unit count satisfies the MOQ, while you end up with a testable mini-collection instead of just one style.
An example assortment logic:
- 3 different styles
- 4 sizes per style (36-38-40-42)
- 2-3 units per size
This structure meets the total-unit MOQ while spreading sales risk across multiple styles.
What determines size distribution?
Size distribution in maternity wear depends on two factors:
- Target customer profile: Which size range does your boutique's location and customer base cluster around?
- Market average: Demand generally concentrates around sizes 36-38-40-42; sizes 44-46 sell in lower volume but shouldn't be overlooked.
An experienced supplier can suggest a starting ratio based on sales data, and you can fine-tune it over time using your own numbers.
How does size distribution shift on reorder?
As your first assortment box sells through, you'll see which sizes move faster. On reorder, instead of an even split, you can request a distribution weighted toward your actual sales data — for example, increasing the share of sizes 38-40 if those are outselling the rest.
Summary: the planning sequence
- 1) Find out the supplier's MOQ.
- 2) Spread that MOQ across multiple styles using assortment box options.
- 3) Build the size distribution around your target customer.
- 4) Optimize the distribution on reorder using your own sales data.