Ray_li

Im thinking of opening a unisex clothes shop.
Can anyone tell me what and how much well it cost to get a shop up and running?
Things that i need to know: where do i get the clothes from?
how much will it cost to decorate the shop? and any other things i don't know about.

Thank you

Ray_li

please please help.
BTT

Luke

Ray

lets have a shed load of info...Where ,what ,how ,who etc...

Who are your customers??

Where is the shop???

What do they want??

How big??

Style of shop|??

etctetctetc

polarbearit

Ray,

Without sounding rude, usually you'd need to know some of the above prior to thinking of opening a clothes shop in particular

Still good luck, and answering Luke's Q's is probably a good start!

south-star

I'd have to agree with the last post.It seems you're starting from a very low base.
Do you have any retail experience?

Ray_li

I have bugger all experience in this field. I have a idea and me and my sister just looking into it.

Style of shop|??
This is the my main selling idea. A shop that only sells Blank and White cloths. I know this may sound silly but everyone wears blank and white. some people only wear these colours and no other.

Who are your customers??
Im aiming for students and 16-35 years olds. Maile and female.

Where is the shop???
Would like to open it in a large town centre but not as big as London. A area that most shoppers go.

What do they want??
Dont have a clue. what they want.

How big??
a small to average sized shop. not looking at a big shop cuz of rent and its a new idea.



[Edited by Ray_li - 4/28/2003 6:19:22 PM]

Tiggs

so its a shop in an area shoppers go selling cloths that are either black or white to ppl who want something but you have no idea what it is?

my advice is go to a bank NOW, even if you dont need need money go now...quick, book a meet.

i think you need a reality check a business adviser may be just the bloke.

T

roscoe

Hi Ray.

I deal with small independents and large chain stores such as M+S etc... Sorry to dissapoint you but they are all having a tough time. The only money makers at the moment are the "factory" type outlets such as Slaters who pile them high and sell them cheap.

There are much better trades to invest in, have you looked at taking on a franchise?

Regards.

south-star

Ray....instead of going whole hog and getting a shop/huge outlay/big risk,how about starting small with say a weekend market stall or something.Then you can test the water.

polarbearit

LMAO @ Tiggs...

Ray,

I used to have a shop, not clothes, but I'll give you an idea about costs... 6 years ago (ie pre major property price rise) we were paying £1200/month for a small shop with some storage space near the centre of a small city (though not a shopping centre or in the pedestrianized bit)... I think rates were another £500+/month and then theres insurance and bills. Meaning before any staffing costs are considered you've got over £2k/month of costs just for an unfurnished (and tatty) unit. Then you've got the costs of decorating/refurbing the place!

I'm not intouch with commercial property prices these days, but I know lots of rates have risen dramatically, and I guess rents will have done too!

Anyway as Tiggs says get yourself to a small business adviser and see what they say

Luke

Well good luck...............................

My wife left a senior position with the worlds 1st/2nd largest textiles/retailer company (H&M) She now works for Jaeger in their buying dept.She knows the (large side) trade inside out.

Its not easy........You need to do your customer research , get to know all the wholesellers etc. Understand the competition.


I am famous for been blunt!!! "you dont stand much of a chance" unless you get your act together.

I have a mate who owns 2 units in Camden. Selling all that krap "wong tung clamp" type hip hop stuff called clothes........!!! Its very bad for him. he gets by............ selling the odd car now and then.

but good luck to you. If you want to and can afford (Dont see the banks wanting to know at this stage)to get started. Then go for it. At least you tried.

be lucky and keep your eyes open on what is going on.

Ray_li

WOW. thats really got me thinking at the moment. Good job its another crazy business idea (still for loads of them) will have to do some more research in to this industry but i may be limiting myself with a shop that only sells black and white clothes.

Luke

Ray


I like the Black and white idea........ you do have a point.

Mufasa

Why not start off selling Fiesta Cosworth replicas!

Ray_li

My next ideas is to buy some land and tarmac it over. in the day its gonna be a car park then on the night im gonna charge boyracers to use it.