20 Profitable Leather Business Ideas

There are lots of business opportunities in the leather business. The leather business accounts for billions of dollars in trade worldwide.

There are many business ideas for small medium and large scale businesses. Entrepreneurs can leverage on this vast market to do good business.

India is one of the major manufacturers of leather wear and the export potential increases daily. Leather business has grown by leaps and bounds because of availability of raw materials, new technologies and effective government policies.

 Other things that have contributed to the growth are availability of skilled labor, dissemination of information, huge global market and better financing. Leather business is both large scale and capital intensive or small scaled one man business.

The fashion industry is the number one consumer of leather products. However the automobile industry, furniture and fitted accessories are not far behind 
Listed below are a few profitable leather business ideas.  
Leather Accessories Store

Leather accessories make up a high percent of leather wear produced globally. They come in wristwatch straps, broaches, hand bands and belts. To start a leather accessory store you need to stock up on various leather items.

Showcase popular accessories and gradually fade-out the less popular ones. For any semblance of success locate your store in a densely populated area. Then apply marketing techniques and discounts to get a steady flow of customers.

 Leather Bag Making

Manufacturing leather bags is a lucrative business venture. Leather is durable, tough, and very rugged with high aesthetic value. To start this business you need lots of startup capital.

A small businessman is able to access capital through personal savings, bank loads, trade loans, investors, family and friends. You can concentrate on high end bags and focus on exclusive boutiques.

 Mass produced low end leather bags also have there own market base.

 To get started you need to find a good location for your factory and get the appropriate machinery.  Build a brand a, market your items and you will get moderate success in this sector.
How to Start a Leather Bag Making Business

Ladies Foot ware

Ladies foot ware is the number one leather item that sells best. Ladies love to look glamorous and beautiful and are willing to spend lots of money on foot ware. A manufacturer should create unique designs.

If your foot ware is of high quality they will be popular and sell nicely. You should decide wither you want to manufacture foot ware or retail foot ware. 

Both sides of the divide are lucrative but require financing. Foreign companies regularly outsource foot ware manufacturing to countries like India. If you are lucky and  get an outsourcing contract you make lots of money.

 Children’s Shoes

Children’s shoes are a niche market worth millions of dollars annually. Children’s shoes are in high demand to satisfy the rapidly growing child.

Despite the little size children shoes are more expensive than regular adult shoes. Decide if you want to manufacture or retail children’s shoes. There are a few top notch children’s shoes outlets that have distinguished them selves in children’s couture

leather belts

Leather Belts

Leather belts business is another entirely different sector all on its own. Leather belt manufacturers work exceedingly hard to meet the demand for consumers.

Leather belts are good export commodities and attract high prices abroad. Many companies outsource the production of leather belts which are found in high end stores around the world.

 Leather Furniture Business

Have you seen the prices of leather chairs lately? Leather chairs are the high end market of furniture making business. The reason is because they are durable, tough and beautiful.

A complete three, two and one sitter chairs can sell for $3500. The application of leather in furniture is not restricted to chairs alone but is found on tables, cupboards and other household items.

 Leather Garment Making

Leather garments are high end fashion statement outfits. They attract lots of export dollars making them a highly lucrative business venture.

 Major markets for leather garments are Canada, Germany, Switzerland, America and Russia. Popular leather garments include jackets, coats, monkey jackets and full length jackets.

leather purse

Leather Purse and Wallets

Wallets and purses are in high demand because of there simplicity and functionality. It is rare to see a woman or man without a bag, purse or wallet.

Leather wallets face great competition from synthetic wallets and bags.

 However, when it comes to durability leather is in a class of its own. You can manufacture purses and wallets wholesale, retail or export them overseas.

Leather Craft Business

Leather craft business is vast because of the variety of leather items you can create. These common leather items like clutch purses, decorative items, key holders, book covers and pet collars are in high demand.

The items are usually sold in bulk to retailers, super stores, arts and craft shops and the open market. The more useful and nicely made the item the likelihood of outselling its competitors.

 Leather Export Business

Leather export business is huge and covers different leather items. Not all countries allow leather wear into their territory excepted when properly treated for biological enzymes.

A country like Australia is very particular about the type of leather exported to their country. To export leather you need custom licenses, export license and other important documents.

You also need a good foreign technical partner that understands the leather business before exporting any product.

Leather Jewelry Business

Leather complements many fashion accessories making it a good business. Leather jewelry business is more small scale manufacturing then large scale.

The more unique the leather items the better value and price. Jewelry manufacturing is easily home based because it requires little production space.

  

There are many items that are considered leather jewelry. Some are leather ear rings, friendship bands, necklaces and bracelets.

 Leather Watch Band Business

Good quality watch bands are in high demand in the international market. Watch band are highly exportable, easy to handle and transport.

Anyone interested in leather watch band business should maintain good quality and prompt deliver service.

 Safety Shoes

Leather safety shoes are the premium brand when it comes to foot ware safety. The boots are tough, rugged and protects the wearer.

The boots also protect form harmful chemical agents, fire, and dangerous hazardous materials. Manufacturing safety shoes isn’t easy because of government regulations and certification.

Safety shoe manufacture requires moderate investment is a good export items and is done both large and small scale.

Shoe Repair Business

The shoe repairer is referred to as a shoe cobbler. The cobbler repairs any type of shoe for a fee. There are two categories of cobblers the large scale cobbler and mobile cobbler.

Large cobblers use industrial type machines while one man cobblers use needles, threads, glue and nails to mend shoes.

Small cobbler earn very little money for their services while large cobbler make huge profit

 Leather Promotional Products

Leather promotional products are basically targeted at the gift industry. Promotional products are popular items like leather cases, laptop cases, brief cases and bags. Others are leather laptop briefcases, promotional key rigs. The business is very profitable because the items are used daily and are important accessories.

  Leather Processing Business

Processing leather is filthy and the location should be far from residential area. Leather process is referred to as tanning. A tanners job is to source lots of raw material, process the leather, clean and market his product.

Leather Gloves

Leather gloves sell best in cold regions of the world. They don’t do well in tropical areas like Africa but sell best in temperate areas.

Leather gloves are both fashion statement items and work items. The leather gloves manufacturer should determine which aspect of glove making he likes.

Gloves are generally export commodities and with proper marketing sell nicely.

 Leather Aprons

Aprons are protective wear used in industrial application. The common leather used for Aprons are chrome tanned or split leather. Leather aprons a subject to wear and tear and is a cheap leather product.

Aprons go through rigorous handling including the non leather verity.

traveling bags

Leather Traveling Bag Business

Leather traveling bags are very popular because of their durability and strength. Some manufacturers and retailers concentrate on only traveling bag business.

Other leather bag products that are categorized under traveling bags are leather suitcases. Leather traveling bags and suitcases have also found there way as a high fashion accessory.

Many businessmen favor leather suitcases over synthetic ones.

Laminated Split Leather Making

The laminate split leather is used to produce fancy leather products. The products are bold, contemporary and fashion statements.

PU laminated split leather business is profitable and has high demand. The manufacturing process is modern and capital expensive.

 List of profitable leather Business ideas

1                                   Leather accessories

2                                   Bag making business

3                                   Ladies foot ware

4                                   Children’s shoes

5                                   Leather belt business

6                                   Leather furniture business

7                                   Leather garment business

8                                   Leather purse and wallets

9                                   Leather craft

10                                Export business

11                                Leather jewelry

12                                Leather wrist bands

13                                Safety shoes business

14                                Shoe repairer business

15                                Leather promotional products

16                                Leather processing units

17                                Leather gloves

18                                Leather Aprons

19                                Traveling bags business

20                                Leather split leather manufacturing

Manufacturing Leather Goods

The manufacture of leather is both small and large scale. The business models are similar but the production and amount invested in the business differ.

Small leather manufacturers have small staff strength of between one and five work force. Large manufacturer on the other hand have a large work pool according to their needs.

 One Man Leather Manufacturer

The one man produces common leather products like shoe and bags. He works out off a small shop with basic tool of the trade. The production process might involve grinding, styling, cutting, stitching and sewing.

The type of goods produced dictates the equipment he uses. Small leather manufacturers are at liberty to create on demand, repair or restore old leather goods.

They also design and fabricate their own in-house leather items. One man leather outfits gravitate between high-end and low cost leather products. They also have a production line that handle a small amount of goods weekly.

leather manufacturer

Large leather manufacturer

The large leather manufacturers produce mass leather products. They have a large labor force and are good outsource contractors.

They produce wholesale for both retailers and individuals. The size, operation and equipment depends on the type of leather work they produce.

Large leather manufacturing is very capital intensive and they make huge profit. Large manufacturer also supply to the local market and export their goods.

 Conclusion

Leather wear is a very vast and exciting business. It has lots of money making potential for an astute business man.

To take advantage of all the opportunities in leather trade you need to first define your scope of business. Are you interested in manufacturing or wholesale/retailing.

The next step is financing, learning the trade, equipment, location and sourcing the raw or produced material. The last aspect is proper pricing selling your goods and effective marketing of your product.