How Tariffs and Rising Costs Are Shaping the Wholesale Towel Market

Why wholesale buyers should consider stocking up on premium Turkish towels, peshtemals, hand towels and bath towels before prices rise.

Global textile and towel markets are highly sensitive to changes in U.S. tariffs, production costs, and shipping expenses. These shifts directly affect prices for everyday essentials such as luxury bath towel sets, premium hand towels, peshtemals, Turkish towels, and hotel-quality linens. For wholesalers, retailers and hospitality operators, understanding how tariffs influence towel pricing is crucial—especially when purchasing in bulk or planning inventory for peak seasons.

Tariffs and Towels: What’s Changing?

U.S. Tariffs—taxes or duties applied to imported goods—have a direct impact on the final retail and wholesale prices of towels. When tariffs increase, importers and distributors face higher landed costs, which often trickle down to hotels, salons, retailers and end consumers.

In recent times, tariff adjustments and extra fees in the textile supply chain have become more frequent. For buyers of wholesale towels, bulk bath sheets, and hotel towels, these shifts mean that purchasing ahead of a tariff change can produce meaningful savings and protect margins.

Why Wholesale and Bulk Buyers Are Most Affected

Even a seemingly small tariff change—say from 10% to 19%—becomes significant when multiplied over hundreds or thousands of units. Consider how this affects different buyers:

• Salons and salons chains buying luxury hand towels in bulk will feel the increase per shipment.
• Hotels and resorts that regularly replenish hotel-quality bath towels and peshtemals face tighter procurement budgets.
• Vacation rentals and Airbnb hosts who purchase premium towel sets wholesale may need to raise nightly rates or absorb costs.

That’s why suppliers and wholesalers frequently advise clients to stock up early—it’s a hedge against sudden increases from tariffs and shipping surcharges.

Turkish Towels: Still the Best Investment

Despite rising tariffs and logistics costs, Turkish towels remain an excellent long-term investment. Here’s why:

1. Superior quality: Long-staple Turkish cotton creates towels that are soft, highly absorbent and durable.
2. Luxury appeal: Guests at hotels and spas notice the difference between well-made Turkish bath towels and lower-quality alternatives.
3. Versatility: Turkish cotton comes in lightweight peshtemals, plush bath sheets and elegant hand towels—perfect for a range of hospitality uses.
4. Cost efficiency over time: Durable towels reduce replacement frequency. Even with higher upfront costs, you save in the long run.

Hotel Towels and Hospitality Essentials

The hospitality industry is one of the most tariff-sensitive sectors when it comes to linens. Hotels, spas and gyms order large quantities of towels regularly, and these orders are directly impacted by tariff and freight changes.

Key hospitality towel categories include:

• Hotel Bath Towels: Bulk-ordered essentials for guest rooms.
• Hand Towels: Bathroom and spa necessities that require frequent replacement.
• Peshtemals: Lightweight options for spa and pool environments—quick drying and space-saving.
• Bath Sheets: Oversized luxury towels that elevate the guest experience.

With tariffs rising, hotels must decide whether to absorb higher costs, pass them to guests, or buy in advance to secure current pricing.

Premium vs. Luxury Towels: Understanding the Difference

When shopping or buying for a business, it helps to know the difference between premium and luxury towels:

Premium towels offer excellent softness, absorbency and durability at a practical price point—ideal for bulk orders where value matters. Luxury towels are heavier (higher GSM), ultra-plush and designed for five-star experiences—these are commonly used in top-tier hotels and boutique spas.

Both categories are affected by tariffs, but luxury towels generally incur higher production and shipping costs, making early procurement even more valuable.

Why Bulk Buying Makes Sense in 2025

Given the current market volatility, buying towels in bulk remains a strong strategy:

• Lower unit cost: Bulk purchasing reduces the per-item cost, even after tariffs.
• Inventory consistency: Uniform sizes and colors help maintain a polished brand image across properties.
• Preparedness: Stocking up before tariff hikes protects operations during peak demand seasons.
• Brand value: Providing high-quality towels to guests reinforces a business’s reputation.

The Growing Demand for Peshtemals

Peshtemals—traditional Turkish hammam towels—have surged in popularity across spas, hotels, and beach resorts. Their characteristics make them particularly attractive in a tariff-inflated market:

• Lightweight: Easier and cheaper to ship than heavy terry towels.
• Quick-drying: Reduces laundering time and energy costs.
• Space-saving: Ideal for businesses with storage constraints.
• Eco-friendly: Lower water and detergent use during laundering.

Buying peshtemals in bulk remains cost-effective even when tariff rates rise, because their low weight helps mitigate higher shipping fees.

Navigating Tariffs: Practical Tips for Businesses and Buyers

To minimize the impact of tariff changes on your towel procurement, consider the following practical steps:

1. Stock up early: Purchase wholesale bath towels, hand towels and peshtemals before announced tariff increases.
2. Choose durable items: Invest in premium Turkish cotton towels that last longer and reduce replacement frequency.
3. Mix inventory: Maintain a balance between luxury towels for VIP guests and premium bulk towels for everyday use.
4. Monitor total landed cost: Track not only tariffs, but also shipping surcharges, fuel costs and port fees.
5. Partner with trusted suppliers: Work with reliable vendors who provide transparent pricing and consistent quality—this can help you plan procurement more accurately.

Final Thoughts

Tariffs and rising costs are reshaping the global towel market, but there are clear strategies to protect your bottom line. Whether you manage a hotel, spa, salon or vacation rental, the smartest approach is to plan ahead, buy in bulk, and prioritize quality. Turkish towels—from lightweight peshtemals to plush luxury bath towels—remain the gold standard for softness, absorbency and longevity.

If you're ready to secure the best deals on wholesale hand towels, bath towels, peshtemals and luxury hotel towels, act now before tariffs increase. Stock up today and protect your business against tomorrow’s price rises.

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Need a custom quote for bulk or hotel orders? Contact our wholesale team for volume discounts and delivery timelines.

How are new tariffs affecting the price and availability of imported towels?

New tariffs on imported towels are raising retail prices and reducing availability. Higher import fees increase costs for suppliers, leading to smaller inventories, longer restocking times, and fewer affordable options for consumers.

What impact do recent tariffs have on towel imports?

Recent tariffs have made towel imports more expensive and less frequent. This increases wholesale and retail prices while limiting product variety on store shelves.

Why are towel prices increasing due to tariffs?

Towel prices are rising because tariffs add extra costs to imports, and these fees are passed down the supply chain to consumers. The result is higher retail prices for everyday bath and hand towels.

Are tariffs making towels more expensive or harder to find?

Yes, tariffs are both increasing towel prices and limiting availability. Many suppliers face higher import costs and delays, leading to fewer choices and higher costs in the market.

Which countries are affected by new towel tariffs?

Turkey remains one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality Turkish cotton towels. While directly impacted by the latest tariffs, Turkish towels continue to be valued in the U.S. market for their luxury quality, durability, and soft texture, making them a preferred alternative for consumers seeking premium bath linens.

The new tariffs primarily affect towels imported from India, Pakistan, and China. Since these countries supply a large share of the U.S. towel market, the restrictions have a major impact on prices and availability.

What should consumers know about the new towel tariffs?

Consumers should be aware that towel tariffs are likely to cause higher prices and occasional shortages. Choosing domestic brands, shopping during sales, or buying in bulk can help reduce the impact of these cost increases.

Published on September 4, 2025