As more and more people wear scrubs for work and play, Brymar Industries has helped retailers expand their business by adding this profitable category. "This has become a constant growth area of our business each year," says Brian Beere, owner of the company, based in Philadelphia.

Brymar began about 25 years ago as a uniform rental company. Over the years, however, it narrowed its focus primarily to medical and health care apparel and chef wear. Scrubs are the overwhelming leader among its product mix.

"Scrubs are worn not only by medical personnel, but also by people in trade schools and universities, labs, beauty supply houses and massage salons," Beere says. He also notes that scrubs have become something of a leisure uniform by students and others, whether or not the outfits are related to their profession. Brymar carries the Dickies and Landau brands, along with its own U.S. Uniforms brand, and offers approximately 10 different styles in solid colors and prints.

"A large number of retailers are adding this category without investing heavily in inventory," Beere says. The minimum order is 10 sets. The wholesale cost begins at about $8.95 a set, and the suggested retail price is $17.50. In addition to its wide choice of colors and prints, Brymar carries a broad range of sizes, from extra small to 4X and, in some styles, up to 7X. "This capability gives a retailer an edge," Beere says.

Another edge Brymar offers is the ability to provide custom options on small orders. If, for example, a health care facility asks the retailer to provide scrubs or medical coats with a logo or a name, or other custom embroidery or print, Brymar will fulfill that request from the retailer for orders as small as six pieces and deliver within five days.

More recently, the company has been introducing retailers to the profit potential in chef coats, server aprons and other chef apparel. "A lot of people who work in the food server business are required to buy their own work apparel," he notes. "Retailers can benefit from carrying a small inventory, and the markup is better than 100 percent; more than in scrubs, because it is not so competitive," he explains. Like chef coats, doctors' coats carry high profits, Beere points out.

Brymar Industries LLC
2179 Bennett Road Unit 3
Philadelphia, PA 19116
Toll Free: 800-356-1757
Tel.: 215-969-9900
Fax: 215-969-7300
Website: www.brymarindustries.com