Organization is an essential aspect when starting any type of venture . Now, if you
are specifically looking for how to organize a clothing store, these are the 10 steps
that you have to follow, whether it is a physical store or an online store:
Selling through a store on the street has the benefit that customers can see and
touch the products. But users use digital media more and more—for example,
researching brands and products online and then going shopping in person.
This is one of the reasons why our advice is to complement your business strategy
with an online store . Selling through this medium will allow you to multiply the sales
of your premises and reduce fixed expenses.
Next, we are going to expand each of these tips, with the aim that you can take
advantage of them and organize your clothing business successfully .
1. Do a market analysis
This means that you have to carry out a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a
specific market to identify data such as its size, value, competition , entry barriers,
customer segmentation and purchasing habits.
2. Study the competitors
In addition to knowing who your competitors are, we recommend that you analyze
the clothing and broadcast advertising techniques they use, to consider them in your
own marketing plan.
3. Determine the target audience
The target audience refers to the group of potential consumers that a business is
targeting. At this point you have to define age, gender, occupation, location and even
the purchasing power of the people to whom you aspire to offer your products or
services.
4. Set the budget
It's time to use the calculator! To achieve the objectives of your company, it is crucial
to define the amount of resources you need for your business to function properly.
This study will also help you to think about the most accurate pricing strategies for
your clothing brand and make it hit like other fashion brands. If you do not have
enough money, then design a plan to find the financing you require.
For the rest, there are ways to boost your business without increasing costs or even
reducing them . One of the most popular? Sell online! By offering your products
through an online store, you save fixed costs for rent, employees, cleaning, etc.
5. Choose sales channels
Now that you know your target audience, you can determine which ways you are
going to sell to them . The most common sales channels for clothing businesses are:
● online store ,
● social networks,
● marketplaces and
● physical location or showroom .
Next, we will tell you about each of these sales channels.
Online store
The ideal thing for those who want to start selling online without headaches is to
choose an e-commerce platform.
In general aspects, these platforms work as follows: you pay a fixed value per month
and have all the features of an online store available without the need for a
programmer or designer. Sainly is an perfect example of e-commerce clothing brand
for men, women and kids one can explore.
For example, when you choose to create a clothing cloudstore , you will only have to
add your products in the tool and start selling. And the part of means of payment and
shipping? All of that is already built into the platform.
Social networks
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and the most popular social networks are excellent
channels to complement the sale of clothing online.
Create your company profile in the networks where your target audience is, publish
your products and share informative content such as tips on how to use your clothes.
In this way, you will captivate your audience and increase your sales.
Take advantage of these resources and boost your brand on social networks:
Marketplaces
To start trading on different platforms, you need to create an account on each one,
set up your details, and post your products.
Keep in mind that in this channel it is important to respond immediately to the
queries of potential customers and to know what the policies of the marketplace are
in relation to logistics.
Physical premises or showroom
This traditional channel for the sale of clothing has the advantage that customers can
go to try on the clothes and meet you personally. However, you have to add the
costs of services and rent to your budget.
6. Look for reliable suppliers
Start by searching for potential providers on the internet, including social media.
We recommend getting in touch with people who already have experience in the
field: ask other stores for advice and visit shopping centers to chat with the shops
and get more information.
Investigate the experience of your provider
Before closing a deal with a particular provider, find out who their main customers
were and get to know them. You can also hire the supplier and place smaller orders
to test their performance.
If it meets your expectations, gradually increase the number of orders.
Negotiate deadlines
Deliveries that are delayed might damage your store's reputation, so before you sign
the contract, be explicit about your requirements. Only proceed if you are confident
that the provider can fulfil your needs..
Finally, make a contract to formalize the agreed points.
Pay attention to payment terms
The payment method that you define with your provider is also important. How will
the payment be? And the term? In addition to the quality of the product, it is also
important that you choose a supplier that can offer the best benefits for you and your
store.
7. Consider producing your own products
At first, working with a provider may be the best option. However, as time passes
and your business becomes financially stable, it may be time to go a step further and
start producing your own products to sell.
8. Define the type of stock of your store
There are various types of stock for an online store: own stock , third-party stock ,
dropshipping , among others. It will be up to you to analyze the advantages and
disadvantages of each modality and decide which one best suits your business.
At first, consigned stock may be the best alternative. You will have a lower profit
margin but you will be able to save space, since in this type of stock the products are
kept by the supplier . Thus, you avoid the risks and expenses of having to maintain a
physical location and promote idle merchandise (which sells little).
In the future, your own stock may be the best option, since it will allow you absolute
control over the products and you will be able to speed up delivery times. It is
essential that you begin to verify your product idea and plan stock management .
9. Display clothes attractively
When thinking about how to organize a clothing store, everything related to the
display of garments takes center stage. Both in the online and offline world, seeing a
harmonious store invites purchase.
To organize clothes in a store like an expert, we suggest:
Set colors and combinations strategically
You can use the typical colors according to the time of year and remember to mix
patterned and solid colored garments to avoid overloading or boring.
Sort the clothes
Do it by color and size in the case of physical stores and take advantage of the filters
in virtual businesses.
Put together complete looks
This strategy allows you to promote cross selling actions , that is, offer the
consumer products related to the item they want to buy. If the client is looking for a
sweatshirt and you show it with jeans and sneakers, it is possible that they will buy
all 3 items instead of one.
Get attention with a promotion or a new product
If you have a physical location, use the main window of the store to attract
customers; in the case of a sales website , do it in a banner on the home page.
Write good product descriptions
In the offline version of your business, make sure that the label has as much
information as possible about size, type of fabric, price, etc.; In your online store you
have to detail the same data on the product page.
Show how the clothes are on
In your store or showroom you can use mannequins; Meanwhile, in your virtual store
you have to publish excellent photos of products and, if possible, hire human
models.
10. Promote the store (marketing actions)
The last tip that Albeli share with you in this article on how to organize a clothing
store is to invest in promoting your brand .
From organic and paid posts on social networks to classic billboard advertising, all
formats that relate to your target audience are valid.
At this point, having an online store also gives you more room to implement
advertising strategies focused directly on your target audience and take them to your
website. Thus, more and more people will visit your store and buy your products!
