Who on the earth has not visited a “ Clothing Store/shop”? We all have! Whether it’s for weddings or festivals, housewarming or anniversary parties, we Indians are bound to shop for clothes.
Ever dreamt of starting a “Clothing Store business” like the one you buy at?
Well, stop dreaming and start doing!
A “Clothing Store business” is truly a profitable business to venture into if you’re looking for some new clothing business ideas in India. Then this blog definitely helps you to know how to start a clothing business. Of course, there are failures, there are plenty of clothing stores/shops that aren’t performing well, mainly because of lack of proper planning or probably there was no planning at all.
Here are 10 simple steps how to start a clothing store business plan in india:
1. Gather your money for investment
✔Starting a clothing store/shop business is definitely expensive. In the case of fashion, you’ll need to spend money to make money. It’s likely you’ll need to borrow money to fund your business through a small business bank loan.
✔Some clothing store/shop businesses are family funded, many small business owners take loans from friends and relatives. See what works out for you.
✔It’s important not to underestimate the amount of financial capital you’ll need to get started.
✔You’ll need to purchase merchandise, pay store rent, buy marketing materials, furnish the store/shop with fixtures and lighting, and other expenses.
2. Complete your GST Registration
✔If your estimated annual turnover < 20 lakhs, get your clothing store business GST registration done to obtain your 15 digit number.
✔Most businesses avoid Non-GST companies as every transaction is documented and this can end up in tax violations. It is always better to stick to the tax rules made by the government to avoid any complications.
✔You can apply for GST registration now.
3. Be smart in picking your location
✔Go where the people are.
✔Find a place which a higher chance of selling profitably.
✔Higher foot traffic the better it is.
✔If it is beyond your reach, settle for a place with a lot of people coming daily, look for communities that are lacking businesses like the one you want.
✔It is always advisable to settle down in the lesser competition area.
4. Start your Clothing Store Small Business
Every big business once started small. Plan well before you start taking steps.
✔ Validate your financial plan in the real world.
✔ Estimate how much does the setting up of the clothing store business cost you.
✔Apply for the small business bank loans if necessary.
✔Also, try finding private investors.
✔Know where you should invest, how much to invest.
5. Learn from your competition
✔Visit clothing store doing well in your area. See their products and display style.
✔Note their business hours, location(s), merchandise and items, and services.
6. Be creative, competitive but always original
✔Pick out an attractive name for your Clothing Store business.
✔Make your shop/store appealing in and out. Spend some time and money on it to make it’s interior and exterior better. Get some pretty looking shelves attached.
✔The balance between using the space efficiently yet arrange it attractively to get your customers eyeballs over it. Displays inside of the store should also be visually appealing.
✔Make sure that the display clothes are appealing. Set up seasonally-appropriate displays with a visual flair that will indicate what’s currently in your inventory. Avoid having a cluttered store.
7. Filling Stocks and finding Suppliers
✔ Have a well-stocked clothing store/shop that appeals to a variety of customers. Acquire enough to fill all of your shelf and display space.
✔ Obtain inventory from more than one source.
✔ Visit local craft, art, or trade fairs, and look online on Etsy (or similar websites).
✔ To start, you’ll need to get in touch with vendors who carry the clothing that you want to sell. A trade show is one of the best places to buy wholesale merchandise for your store. At trade shows, you’ll be able to connect with suppliers and see first-hand their product offerings.
✔ When making orders, consider the amount you’ll need when you first open your store, plus the inventory you’ll need to regularly replace the items that sell. Don’t forget seasonal trends, plus those new styles and clothing brand that become popular. You’ll need to have a diverse mix of clothing while understanding that you won’t necessarily be able to satisfy everyone that walks through your door.
✔ Throughout the process, research the best way to set your prices based on the merchandise you’re selling. You’ll need to determine your mark-up amount, understand effective pricing techniques for your type of store, and know-how to discount merchandise effectively.
8. What to sell?
✔First-time inventory will cost you at least 5 Lakhs – 10 lakhs. Again it depends on your business size.
✔Make sure to include all items based on your customers’ taste – Sarees, Chudidhars, Petticoat, Designer blouse, lehengas, Shirt pieces and many more in demand.
9. Hire additional workers if required
✔ When you first open the Clothing store business, you’ll be on a tight budget and won’t have money to hire help. After several months or a year, though, if your Clothing shop is financially stable enough, start thinking about bringing in additional help.
✔Think back to the Clothing shop/store that you visited. Were most apparel stores run by the owners themselves? If not, how many staffs worked at the clothing store?
10. Consider Hours
- Choose the right hours.
- Keep in mind that Clothes store do most of their business on and around holidays.
- Clothes owners rarely get holidays off; in fact, they’re the biggest sales days for nearly all clothes business.
- Be ready for such shifts.
11. Start with discounts & put items on sale seasonally
- When you’re ready to open your doors, don’t be afraid to tell everyone. From friends and family to those you’re connected with on social media, be sure you have a message to share with them and reasons they should shop at your new store. You might consider having an open house with special discounts, giveaways, and other “little extras.”
- Sales are a great way to draw in customers.
- You can sell clothes that are not fast-moving.
- Use Holidays and other special days to celebrate your customers and give them new, exciting reasons to visit your clothing store.
12. Learn to Book Keep
- Bookkeep the financial expenditures and income of your clothing shop using an Inventory Managment App As a small business owner, you’ll be responsible for keeping track of tax-deductible expenses and paying taxes every year.
- Use Business accounting software like Vyapar to keep track of your Clothing Store business finances, including assets, loans (and loan payments), monthly rent payments, and income from sales.
# Conclusion
So through this article you got to know how to start a clothing business in India. Now that you know everything about how to start a clothing business then, you should not waste your time and take advantage of it. Also, if you feel that you are not ready with a proper business idea/plan right now, you can take some more time to find some more profitable clothing business plans/ideas and start your business after some time.
Don’t you think that in today’s time online clothing business in India is also a good idea/plan? Now you can also start your own online store through many online platforms and get more benefits.
You may want to read these:
How to start a Grocery Store Business in India?
How to Start a Departmental Store/Kirana Shop in India
How to Start an Organic Food Store in India
How to Start Hardware Store Successfully in India – 11 Steps
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs’)
# How to start a clothing/apparel store business in India?
Clothing business is one of the most prominent industries in India. Follow these steps below to know how to start a clothing store business plan in India:
- Gather money and investments for business
- Fulfil your GST Registration
- Be precise in choosing the location
- Start small, don’t grow
- Start small store, don’t go big upfront
- Do the Best Competitive Market Research
- Be creative, competitive but always original styles/items
- Find reliable distributors and suppliers to fill stock
- Decide what you want to sell
- Hire Trusted Staff for Your Clotting Store
- Choose the right working hours
- Offers great discounts to attract customers
- Manage inventories with Bookkeeping via Vyapar App
# How to start a clothing brand in India?
The things required to start a clothing brand in India are as follows:
- First Think of a Solid Business Plan
- Choose your Target Market Audience
- Build a solid business model
- Obtain all necessary permits and licenses
- Establish Business Contacts
- Curate a Marketing Portfolio
- Participate in Exhibitions, Shows, etc.
- Email Marketing and Press Releases
# How much does it cost to start an clothing store business?
To start an clothing store business in India, an initial investment of Rs 5 to 10 lakh is required. This includes your location, inventory, staff salaries, and all business license costing, etc.
# Is clothing a good business?
Clothing store business is one of the most profitable and successful businesses in India. If you plan and manage your cash flow properly, you can start making profits within your first year of entering the clothing market.
# Where can I sell clothes online for free?
Generally free websites are not available in India, as they all require some nominal mandatory fee. However, here are some popular websites to sell your clothes online in India:
- Amazon
- Flipkart
- Myntra
- Snapdeal
- Meesho
- Ets
- eBay
- Facebook Marketplace
- Shopify
- Shopclues
- Kiabza
- Olx
- Quickr ,etc.
# Is Boutique Business Profitable in India?
A boutique business can be quite profitable, especially if you deal with women’s apparel. You need an investment of Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs to start a boutique in India, at least on a small scale.
# How do I manage my clothing boutique?
Here are 10 Awesome Tips for Build Your Boutique Business:
- Try out new marketing strategies.
- Attend local events.
- Build a loyalty program.
- Get active on apps.
- Location, location, location.
- Apply for additional working capital.
- Hire the right employees.
- Ask for customer feedback.
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