Starting a Fashion Clothing Store

Summary: Fashion Clothing Store is not an easy business but once you learn the tricks it will give you a lot of profit.

Undoubtedly, if you are thinking about opening a fashion clothing store, then you must be into fashion.

But who isn’t? Everybody is into fashion. It is the individual taste in fashion that differs from person to person. Anywhere you go, fashion clothing stores are always making brisk business. That is also precisely the reason why a fashion clothing store needs to have an edge over its competitions. There are just too many fashion clothing stores out there.

Most successful fashion clothing stores have a few things in common: competitive prices, a great selection of clothes and accessories, attractive packaging (marketing) and yes, a catchy name / brand / tag. Thinking of a name for your business is a tricky endeavor. You obviously want your patrons to remember your store, but you also want them to associate the name of the store with your merchandise.

Before you open your own fashion clothing store or fashion boutique, you may want to think about what “theme” or specialization of clothes you may want to sell. There are a lot, a few examples include: bridal or wedding boutique, business clothing boutique, casual wear / rough gear / street clothes, children’s wear boutique, couture, formal wear boutique, lingerie, maternity store, men’s wear boutique, special size boutiques (petites, plus size, tall, etc.,) sports wear / active wear, teen gear, women’s wear boutique, etc.

You may also want to consider if you want to sell accessories, hats, belts and shoes in your fashion clothing store. Because you are the owner of the store, your creative prowess will constantly be challenged when you present the public your wares. Attention to detail in window presentation, store lighting, rack displays and even that touch of personal service will all come into account when you open your fashion clothing store.

There are two kinds of fashion clothing stores: retail fashion store and fashion boutique.

Retail fashion specializes in selling new clothing products created by fashion designers which may (or may not) be dictated by celebrity trends. Some retail fashion stores have gone to such specialized extent that they only offer the works of their in-house designers. Others have a number of brand names and designer names offered in one roof.

Fashion boutiques, on the other hand, are more (for lack of a better term) chic or upscale. Personalized service, cozy ambience and unique merchandise are offered here – and patrons of such places usually expect nothing less.

Another huge factor about launching your own fashion clothing store is your business location. Malls are popular places for such stores, but they do come with steep rents, and a lot of competition. Stores that sell outside such establishments may have less overhead expenses but may also have less foot traffic. Your prospective market may also be an important element in choosing your business location. For example, teens frequent malls, and thereby is a great place to sell your line of teen wear and accessories. Couture clothing lines or vintage couture may not fare as well in the mall, but rather in some cozy niche in a chic part of town.

Pricing is important, as with the quality of the merchandise. Some clothing stores manage to pull off slightly higher pricing from its peers, but only because they have already established their brand names in the market. Since you are only starting or launching this business, you may want to refer to popular prices among your competitors. The quality of your merchandise should also be a great concern to you. Nothing will lose you more customers faster than poorly made clothes passed off as “fashionable” wear with very dear price tags.

Customer service is also a factor in most shops. Chic boutiques make this a top priority, even offering coffee or tea to its patrons. However, if you prefer a retail fashion store set-up, remember to keep a friendly atmosphere in your shop. It will encourage your potential customers to ask for your advice on fashion trends, or gift suggestions and even a whole fashion ensemble – which may mark you a returning customer or greater sales.

Another matter to consider is the safety of your store and merchandise. If you notice most, if not all fashion clothing stores have security measures against theft and break-ins. Some of them may go as sophisticated as a 24 hour video surveillance system. Others rely on tag systems. Check your budget first or your overhead expenditure rates as to what kind of security measures you may need and / or afford.

In to fashion but looking for something without a retail location? Custom closet organizers are fast growing franchise business opportunities.

116 Responses to "Starting a Fashion Clothing Store".

83. Juan on 5/22/2010 7:33:27 AM

Hi this is Juan from D&D Barcelona j.duran@ddbarcelona.com
To open a fashion store has a lot of aspect need to consider, place of the store, decide if street or shopping mall, check the around competence offers, designs, prices and sales value estimate. Check what they offer and with what price and then offer better and more beautiful similar products, with better prices.

Talking about business is what will make your store successful, never think romantic ideas about offer your own designs or taste and believe people will like and buy no matter the price and so on.

We are Spain fashion company with factory and stores in China, one of the most difficult countries in a matter of direct sales, and we are successful thanks to our way to work.

I think in any country is the same, after all, one store reply to the demand of 1000 sqm population, it is so small quantity of potential customers, so is important to study them, different areas have different numbers, for example if your store is similar to H&M clothes, you have to find a place very busy every day, if near to university better, spend big money in decoration, and put beautiful and innovative designs with prices never over 20Euro, seems impossible but if you contact with me I will tell you how.

Never make the mistake to open a store without checking all aspects, it is lose money for sure. Make money with a fashion store is so easy if you do it well and with business sense. :) hope this information can help.....

106. shalini mathur on 8/11/2010 3:53:02 AM

Hi, am doing marketing for my company.we r the manufacturers of ladies garments .we do mid range garments for USA taste, like skirts, tops, ladies dresses, kaftans, scarves, stoles etc. low range is for middle eastern countries like UAE, Oman etc. which include kaftans and scarves set (this is totally different from what i have mentioned above). the kaftan is usually made in rayon or cambric, and the dupatta with it is made of lighter rayon/cotton. we also do 'khanga' and 'katinga'. for south africa, the product is same but style, print and sizes are different. we do that too. our upper range is for Europe. we do khadi (hand woven) its all wool or wool blended with other fibres and well as cotton too. we are registered with the govt organization KVIC (khadi and village industries commission). we get our own designs woven from the kvic registered weavers. . the khadi products which we will supply will the certified khadi. the range includes shawls, stoles, jackets, nehru jackets, hand bags, shirts etc. we can supply plain fabric for shirts and jackets too. khadi can be dyed too. we are working on printing on woolen fabric.;and we do tie & dye also . plz revert if anybody is interested.

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