"Apparel affiliate program" searches usually lead to one of two places: a handful of large, well-known retailers, or a long list of boutique clothing brands with their own smaller programs. Both models pay a commission for sending a customer to buy someone else's clothes. This guide covers what those programs actually look like, honestly, and where a different model, building your own apparel brand, fits for a gym owner or coach.
Most apparel affiliate programs run through major affiliate networks like Rakuten, CJ, Awin, Impact, or ShareASale. The brand sets a commission rate, the affiliate applies through the network, and once approved, the affiliate earns a one-time percentage on each sale generated through their tracked link. Rates vary widely by brand and change over time, so any specific number should be confirmed directly on the brand's own affiliate page rather than taken from a search result.
Yes, generally. Large retailers including H&M, Nordstrom, Fashion Nova, and Mango are among the many retailers that participate in affiliate marketing through standard networks, aimed mostly at fashion bloggers, coupon and deal sites, and larger content creators. These are one-time, per-sale commissions, not recurring income.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Many smaller activewear, tactical, faith-based, and lifestyle apparel brands run their own affiliate programs as well, typically through the same networks (ShareASale, Refersion, Impact), aimed at content creators and coupon sites. Terms and commission rates vary brand to brand and are usually posted directly on each brand's own site. As with the larger retailers, these pay a one-time commission per sale, not a recurring cut.
Every program above pays a commission for sending someone to buy a brand that is not yours. None of them let the affiliate build a business under their own name. Bear Grips flips that: a gym owner or coach builds their own Pro Shop, selling apparel under their own brand and keeping the full retail margin, and separately earns 10% of a referred vendor's subscription forever plus $1 per unit sold for referring other businesses. See the full mechanics in our affiliate program overview.
| Model | Typical apparel affiliate program | Bear Grips |
|---|---|---|
| Whose brand | Theirs, their name, their customer | Yours, your name, your customer |
| Commission style | One-time percent per sale, varies by brand and network | Full retail margin as a vendor, plus 10% of a referred vendor's subscription forever and $1 per unit as an affiliate |
| Cost to join | Usually free to apply | Free plan at $0/mo, VIP plans $59 to $105/mo |
| Approval | Some require application or minimum traffic | Automatic at signup, no minimum |
Keep the full retail margin as a vendor, plus 10% of every referred vendor's subscription forever. Free to start.
Start FreeYes, H&M participates in affiliate marketing through major networks, typical for a large retailer, paying a one-time commission per sale.
Yes, Fashion Nova runs an affiliate program aimed at content creators and influencers through standard affiliate networks.
Yes, Nordstrom also runs one through major affiliate networks, with standard retail affiliate commission terms.
A clothing brand's affiliate program pays a small one-time cut for sending someone to buy their clothes. Bear Grips lets you build your own store selling your own branded gear and keep the full margin, plus earn recurring commission for referring other businesses.
Bear Grips Pro Shops