Do you have a passion for clothes? Think you would thrive in the apparel industry? If you fit into either category, starting your own clothing boutique could be an exciting next step in your career – especially if you have something unique and fresh to offer!
With ecommerce booming, so is the fashion sector. UK households spent more than £73 million in 2022 on clothing and footwear, so the demand is there – but how do you make your dream into reality?
There is a lot to consider if your boutique is going to be a success, from funding and insurance to suppliers and pricing. Here’s a five-step guide to help you get started.
Create a business plan
First things first, you’ll need a detailed business plan. This should outline your objectives, marketing, strategies, financial forecasts and anything else that will help you track the progress of your boutique.
With your goals and trajectory clearly outlined, you can identify potential problems in good time and avoid any mistakes as you grow. This plan will also help you refine your idea and give you a realistic view of what is achievable in a specified time period.
Source funding
Getting to grips with the start-up costs associated with a new business will prevent any future financial surprises. There are many variables at play, including business rates, the cost of stock and inventory, and marketing. If you’re setting up a physical store, you’ll also need to factor in location and rent.
For some support, you could take advantage of budgetary resources such as government grants, small business loans, angel investors and crowdfunding to raise the money you need.
Get licenses and permits
This may be the least exciting step in opening your own boutique but it is one the most important. Most small businesses will need some form of business licensing or permits, depending on location and industry regulations.
Finding the right level of insurance for your shop may provide improved protection for both you and your staff. Basic operations licenses, registrations and building permits are all considerations at this point, designed to guarantee that your business is operating above board.
Find suppliers
A diverse offering of good-quality clothes is what will keep customers coming back to you. It’s also vital to building a reliable and trustworthy business reputation. You should consider whether you’ll opt for a domestic manufacturer or an overseas company that specialises in the items you have in mind.
Opting for ethical and sustainable suppliers is a great way to distinguish yourself from larger competitors. Global studies show that 65 per cent of consumers care about sustainability and are more likely to engage with greener fashion brands.
Pricing
Settling on the right price for your stocked items will have a significant impact on the success of your boutique. Your target customer base should be kept in mind when deciding this, as you don’t want to potentially isolate them by making your prices too high.
Realistic profit margins will change depending on whether your boutique is online or in a brick-and-mortar location. From an ecommerce perspective, a respectable profit margin is 10 per cent, while in-person shopping most commonly sees profit margins ranging between 2% and 5%.
