Wholesale moves larger volumes at thinner margins and depends on relationships with shopkeepers, boutique owners, or other resellers who buy in bulk. It suits businesses with steady production capacity and the patience to wait for payment cycles that are often longer than retail.
Retail sells directly to the end customer at a higher margin per piece, but requires more effort in display, customer service, and often a physical or online storefront. It also means dealing with smaller, more frequent orders and more return or exchange requests.
Many garments businesses in Pakistan run both side by side — wholesale for steady cash flow and predictable volume, retail for higher margins and direct customer relationships. Splitting stock between the two channels from the start avoids scrambling later.