Advanced Preparation Opening up a clothing store requires a lot of advanced preparation. You should be able to tell that purse is a rare designer original rather than a copy from ten paces. You need to set a budget and know how to hire trustworthy salespeople. You also need to know how to locate
wholesale clothing vendors in your city or how to do business with them. You can often take classes in marketing and accounting at your local community college.
Decide what clothing you are going to sell. Will you be marketing upscale, rare and costly items by famous designers? Will you sell items for those seeking a bargain? Are you going to sell clothing for all seasons? Will you offer customers sewing services such as making hems or mending buttonholes? Will you sell accessories such as costume jewelry and scarves?
Location, Location, Location Decide on a location. Are you going to start your own shop or sell items online through popular websites such as eBay?
Retail selling has advantages. These can include direct interaction with and feedback from clients. Clients may come to you to specifically seek fashion advice. A retail location, however, may have increased costs in the form of rent for the location and paychecks for sales employees. Any ground-based location should allow you to showcase your items effectively. A good retail location can include places where there are already clusters of other women's clothing stores. People may be drawn to shop in that area because of the variety of choices available.
eBay can allow you to sell clothing to sellers all over the world. eBayers can open up their own stores online. However eBay sellers may find it hard to contact potential customers directly and they face high shipping costs. Items may be returned with frayed hems or new stains.
A retail seller can also sell on eBay as well.
A User Friendly Store Prepare your shop for costumers. A retail clothing store should have attractive and well-lit window displays. Decide on a theme for the window display such as large discounts on items or resort ware. Clothing should be simple for shoppers to reach. The average woman is 5' 4" and wears a small heel so make sure that racks meet her eye level. Items should be grouped in a sensible way such as by price or item category. Fitting rooms should be well lit and easy to locate. Sale items can be placed in bins with signs indicating the price. Any staff you've hired should have a uniform or nametag so customers know who works there. The employees should be briefed thoroughly about your merchandise.
Advertise your store in local business magazines and newspapers. Offer shoppers coupons or the chance to win a shopping spree on opening day.
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