Medical Scrubs Business Overview

Medical scrubs businesses sell specialized medical uniforms worn by healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. These companies provide sanitary, comfortable, and professional attire that meets healthcare facility requirements. The business serves multiple customer types, from individual nurses and doctors purchasing their own uniforms to large hospital systems ordering for entire departments.

Medical scrub companies offer various styles, sizes, and colors to accommodate different facility dress codes and personal preferences. Many businesses also stock multiple brands and price points for different customer budgets, from basic uniform sets to premium scrubs with advanced features like moisture-wicking fabrics and extra pockets.

The various business models in the medical scrubs industry include:

• Retail Store Operations: Physical locations where healthcare professionals can try on and purchase scrubs directly
• Online Retail: E-commerce platforms selling scrubs and medical uniforms through websites and mobile apps
• Wholesale Distribution: Businesses that supply scrubs in bulk to medical facilities, uniform stores, and other retailers
• Manufacturing and Direct Sales: Companies that design and produce their own scrub lines, selling directly to end users or through distributors

Related: Checklist To Start A Business

How Do Medical Scrubs Businesses Make Money?

Medical scrubs businesses earn their primary income through direct sales of medical uniforms to healthcare professionals and medical facilities. The profit margins typically range between 45-60% on individual scrub sets, while bulk orders to facilities often have lower margins of 30-40%.

Most businesses price their scrub sets between $30-120, depending on the brand, quality, and features. Healthcare facilities often place large recurring orders, which creates steady revenue streams.

Industry Statistics

The medical scrubs industry generally falls under NAICS code 458000 – Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers. However, if the business manufactures, it will generally be under NAICS code 339113 – Health Care Apparel. Here are some statistics about this industry.

Medical Scrubs Industry Size & Growth: The medical scrub industry generated $9.2 billion in the U.S. last year. The market shows strong continued expansion with a projected annual growth rate of 6.5% through 2030. This growth stems from increasing numbers of healthcare facilities and professionals, particularly driven by an aging population requiring more medical care. Additionally, healthcare employment is expected to create 1.8 million job openings annually, indicating sustained demand for medical uniforms. (UniformMarket)

Medical Scrubs Profit Margin: According to industry financial data, medical scrub retailers and wholesalers maintain gross profit margins between 35% and 45%, with net profit margins typically ranging from 8% to 15%. (UniformMarket)

Costs To Start a Medical Scrubs Business

Starting a medical scrubs business typically costs between $50,000 and $175,000. The amount varies widely based on the type and scale of operation, with online-only retailers on the lower end and retail locations requiring larger investments.

Here are some of the bigger expenses when starting a medical scrubs business:

Initial Inventory: The largest expense for most medical scrub businesses is building inventory, which ranges from $25,000 to $75,000. This includes maintaining different sizes, styles, colors, and brands to meet customer preferences and facility requirements.

Store Location: For businesses with a physical presence, retail space costs between $20,000 and $50,000 initially. This includes the first and last month’s rent, security deposits, and basic renovations to create an appealing retail environment with fitting rooms and display areas.

Equipment and Fixtures: Display racks, shelving units, mannequins, and point-of-sale systems typically cost between $15,000 and $30,000. This also includes storage solutions, security systems, and inventory management software.

Website and E-commerce Platform: Creating an online store with inventory management capabilities, secure payment processing, and order fulfillment features usually cost between $5,000 and $15,000. This includes professional website development, hosting, and integration with shipping services.

These numbers represent general estimates, and actual costs will vary.