Open a Clothing Boutique Business | Fashion Boutique Business

A boutique is a small shopping outlet, especially one that specializes in elite and fashionable items such as clothing and jewelry. The term entered into everyday English use in the late 1960s when, for a brief period, London was the center of the fashion trade. Carnaby Street and the Kings Road were the focus of much media attention as home to the most fashionable boutiques of the era. Also referred to as lejolie boutique meaning beautiful sounding relaxed. Boutique is a beautiful version of a shop, and also a relaxed version of shop.

A clothing boutique can be a profitable venture. The key is establishing a particular niche for your clothing boutique. For example, you could specialize in women's formal clothing and accessories, including jewelry. Consider purchasing an existing franchise if you have money to invest. Go to Franchisedirect.com or Franchiseopportunities.com and look for potential clothing boutique franchises. You can also start you clothing boutique from scratch with a wholesale supplier.

Boutique industries

This term can also refer to a specialized firm in other industries, such as a boutique investment bank or boutique law firm. The word is often used to describe a property in the independent sector of the hotel market (such as The Rockwell in London) in order to distinguish itself from larger chains (such as Hilton Hotels). In such cases, the establishment aims to convey the idea that its operation is small, elite and highly specialized.

Some multi-outlet businesses (chains) can be referred to as boutiques if they target small, upscale market niches..

Recently, the term "boutique" has begun to be applied to mass-market items that are either niche or produced in intentionally small numbers to be sold at very high prices. This can be referred to as boutique manufacturing. For example, before the release of the Wii, a Time Magazine article suggested that Nintendo could become a "boutique video-game company", producing games for niche audiences rather than trying to compete directly with Microsoft and Sony.

Although some boutiques specialize in hand-made items and other unique products, others simply produce T-shirts, stickers, and other fashion accessories in artificially small runs and sell them at high prices.

Instruction:

Step 1

Contact your bank and get an application for a merchant account, as credit cards can increase your sales potential.

Step 2

Obtain a vendor's license anddoing business as application through your local county administration office. Use your business name as your DBA when applying. Fill out the application and mail it back with your application fee.

Step 3

Make a list of all the types of clothing you want to sell. Visit competitive clothing boutiques that sell this merchandise. Notice what clothing these retailers sell and the prices they charge.

Step 4

Search for a wholesale supplier for your clothing boutique if you are starting from scratch. Contact the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. Ask your contact person if they can supply a list of clothing wholesalers. Visit the Tradepub.com website, according to Businessknowhow.com. Order some free trade publications on retailing. Read through the classified ads for potential clothing wholesalers.

Step 5

Call several clothing wholesalers. Find wholesalers that offer all the products you want to sell. Select the wholesaler that offers you the lowest unit cost of clothing products.

Step 6

Search for a location for your clothing boutique store. Look in areas where traffic is heavy, such as strip malls or busy intersections. Study the clientele in neighboring stores. Make sure the shoppers fit the demographic profile of the shoppers you want for your store, according to Entrepreneur.com. Select a higher income area, for example, if you will be selling high-end clothing in your boutique. Negotiate the lowest rent possible with the store's landlord.

Step 7

Estimate how much investment you will need in six months in business, including product costs and advertising. Finance your business with your savings or a retirement account. Apply for a loan through your bank.

Step 8

Place your first merchandise order through you wholesaler. Set up your counters, shelving units, floor stands and in-store signage. Clean the counters, shelving units and floor as well as the glass. Place business hours decals on your front door. Make sure all cash registers and your computer are working.

Step 9

Place your merchandise on shelves and hangers when you receive it.

Step 10

Employee a spouse of family member to keep your labor expenses down. Hire an employee through a newspaper "Help Wanted" ad if necessary.

Step 11

Distribute stacks of fliers to non-competitive retailers, including muffler shops and beauty salons. Place fliers on people's windshields in busy mall parking lots. Contact a local newspaper reporter and see if he will write a feature article about your new clothing boutique business. Promote your clothing boutique through display ads in your newspaper.

Things Needed 

• Wholesale supplier 
• Products 
• Store location 
• Shelving units 
• Floor stands 
• Signage 
• Cash registers
• Computer 
• Business hours decals 
• Fliers

Tip

Start a loyalty program in your clothing boutique store. Reward your most frequent shoppers and biggest spenders with gift cards and special deals. Also, establish a fair return policy for all merchandise. For example, allow customers to return merchandise for any reason within 30 days.

References

• Business.gov: Business Name Registration (Doing Business As)
• StyleCareer.com: Boutique Owner
• Business know-how: Find Suppliers for Your Business
• CreditCardGuide: Credit Card Usage Drops, Even As Retail Sales Increase
• Entrepreneur: How to Get Approved for a Merchant Account
• Entrepreneur: How to Find the Best Location
• Open a Clothing Boutique Business