Boutique Blog

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

10 Sites to Sell More and Boost Boutique Sales in 2025

It’s the new year, a time when boutique owners are reviewing last year’s revenue and planning new strategies for 2025. Since the economic outlook and new shopping trends are key to sales strategies, we will take a look at how they are shaping up.  First, let’s take a look at the macro economy and then the specific online clothing market to get an idea of the economic landscape, or the health of the consumer’s pocket.   While price inflation in 2024 impacted consumer pocketbooks and discretionary spending, retail sales actually exceeded forecasts as the U.S economy grew 2.3%. And Fannie Mae analysts just adjusted their economic forecast up to 2.0% growth for 2025, slightly down from 2024 as the graph shows below:                                                         Let's now look at how the online clothing market compares to overall economic growth. The U.S. apparel market generated $358 billion this year with ecommerce accounting for $145 billion (40.5%) of total apparel revenue. And from 2018 to 2023, ecommerce sales rose by 70%. This graph shows the multi-year revenue numbers:           What does this mean for you? If you have a boutique with an online presence or if you're considering creating an online boutique, you are heading in the right direction. And today a plethora of tools exist to help source your boutique, such as Bloom Wholesale who offers trendy women's apparel or fashion dropship suppliers like Bloom Dropship, Salehoo, Modily, and Spockett.     If you are just getting started, drop shipping is an easy way to sell apparel without having to purchase, store or manage inventory. You only pay for what you sell, and the drop shipper sources all the products and does the shipping. But sourcing a boutique is just one aspect of the boutique business. Achieving sales success has more to do with understanding how consumers shop and where they shop. So, let’s look at some stats on online shopping trends:  Between 2025 to 2030, experts predict an 8% CAGR for fashion e-commerce  Social media influences 32% of Americans in the clothing they purchase  Women’s apparel accounts for 68.5% of all e-commerce clothing revenue    80.7% of fashion e-commerce site traffic is from consumers using mobile devices  The jaw dropping facts are this: 80% of all fashion e-commerce traffic comes from mobile devices and 32% of Americans say social media influenced the purchase of the clothes in their closet. This graph shows mobile shopping percentages by retail category: Live Shopping Sites   Social ecommerce is the next great disruptor in the retail industry. A study from Aftership found that 34% of US consumers aged 18-34 make purchases through live shopping each week and this trend will be a key driver in the 2025 retail landscape and beyond.   What’s behind the explosion in social commerce? Free sites such as Facebook Live currently dominate social commerce. The platform saw 67.8 million buyers in 2024 while Instagram is predicted to see 45.3 million buyers. TikTok is predicted to see 35.8 million.  This interactive approach helps to build trust, drive sales and reach a wide audience. It is worth pointing out that while Facebook and Instagram offer lives for free, they do not guarantee viewers. Many boutiques combine free and paid sites to optimize sales, such as using Channelize along with TikTok live events. Regardless, live shopping is a growing trend you can adopt to enhance your online presence.    Toward that goal, below are top 10 live shopping platforms for apparel:  1. Videeo  Videeo offers personalized video and claims to boost customer engagement by 250%. It offers a mobile app wizard for iOS and Android devices and integrates with Shopify.  2. Skeepers  Skeepers offers the ability to host thousands of shopping parties and utilize social media to attract new customers. It also integrates with the #1 ecommerce platform, Shopify.  3. GoLive  GoLive combines livestream shopping with artificial intelligence and real-time analytics. Some of the brands that they have partnered with include Guess, Samsung, and LG.   3. Bambuser  Bambuser is focused on interactive live video streaming. According to their website, their average add-to-cart is 31%, while its chat engagement is 24%. split screen.  4. Amazon Live  Amazon Live is a free streaming app and available for U.S. sellers registered in the Amazon Brand Registry. It does require 3rd party apps to integrate with Shopify.  5. Facebook Live Shopping  Facebook offers new Live features on its Facebook Page to connect with your audience and sell items. It does require 3rd party apps to integrate into your Shopify store.  6. TikTok Shop  TikTok Shop blends live stream with eCommerce for a dynamic shopping experience and to reach younger, social media-savvy consumers. It does require 3rd party apps to integrate your Amazon and Shopify stores.  7. TalkShopLive  TalkShopLive offers live stream & home shopping with a built-in buying experience. With the TSL Seller iOS app, you can go live via your desktop and it integrates with Shopify.  8. Popshop Live  Popshop Live has an app for Android and iOS devices and includes an intuitive seller dashboard and producer tool for livestream and it integrates with Shopify.  9. Channelize  Channelize is great for hosting five events or less per month to an audience no bigger than 50. They integrate with Shopify and offer a basic free plan for live shopping.  10. Confer With  Confer has a basic free plan but aims to offer you the features to link a high-value customer with one of your reps or a virtual appointment. It integrates with Shopify.  Live Shopping is growing fast with a variety of options to help online boutiques expand their audience reach by tapping into large numbers of ecommerce shoppers. But it's not just live shopping that is trending. Online marketplaces are also driving online sales.  Top Marketplace Sites  Online marketplaces can offer online boutique a way to expand business. Marketplaces have become a platform to reach more audiences in the shortest possible time and maximize conversion and sales.  If you are a fashion retailer selling through your online website and looking to generate more revenue, online fashion marketplaces can be a great option to grow your sales. The biggest benefit of online marketplaces is convenience. No matter which platform you use to start your e-commerce journey, you don’t have to get out of your comfort zone.   From starting, organizing, and managing to delivery, everything can be done from anywhere you live or even if you shift. Not only can you access it, but also you get client support in case of an emergency.  Here are the top 6 online fashion marketplaces:  1. Amazon Fashion Marketplace  2. Etsy Fashion Marketplace   3. Walmart Fashion Marketplace  4. Facebook Fashion Marketplace  5. Poshmark  6. ASOS Marketplace  In summary, the ways in which consumers shop online is always evolving. Live shopping and online marketplaces are gaining speed and giving online boutiques an opportunity to expand their customer base and grow sales. Integrating these shopping trends and sites into your sales strategies will be paramount to success, as is building loyalty and repeat purchases with personalized shopping and incentives.  Growing U.S. ecommerce numbers support that online boutiques are heading in the right direction and while 2025 will have some inflation trade winds, leveraging TikTok and other sites to tap into growing Gen Z online purchases is a real opportunity. Livestream sales reached $50 billion in 2023 and are estimated to grow by 36% in the next three years. Add it all up and it’s time to jump on board! 

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

2024 Fall Trend Alert - Bows

You may have been seeing a lot of bows adorned in festivals, churches, or even school events. In 2024 Fall and Winter be prepared to see this trend take on new shapes and life. At Buywholesaleclothing we think there is good chance this will become the #1 trend in Fall 2024. Let's take a look at how the trend is being adorned on clothing so far in this years Fall preview.  Accessories The bow trend was first adorned and inspired by hair accessories and in 2024 Fall we will largely see the same popular conventional bows a top many hands but embellished with unique items like gameday footballs shown in the picture above.  Bows of various shapes in sizes from simple to Kentucky Derby type fantastical bows will be popular and in high demand. While beaded jewelry remain a popular choice we can see below this trend mixed with bows and gameday to make perfect addition for a fanatic rooting for their favorite football team. Coats and Sweaters The above image shows a gorgeous rust ditsy floral coat tied together by two front bows. This exemplifies perfectly how the bow trend can be used to "tie together" staple pieces in a classy way.  The ivory sweater show below has yarn bows attached to an acrylic sweater, yet another innovative and fun way of utilizing this trend. A perfect fit! In the below green sweater adorned with sequins red bows we are getting a first glimpse at Holiday 2024.  I happen to think this trend will fit perfectly into the seasonal holiday spirit and trends. PJ Sets Bows are even finding themselves equipped to adorable PJ sets. In fact any item that can be tied up for functional closing purposes is utilizing the bow trend.   The above PJ set takes on a different mood with ditsy bows running across its satin material.  Both fun and extra cozy with this bow trend. Dresses We're seeing the bows line up in a three row design that is adorning anything from tops to dresses. In the above image we can see this trend three bows sitting on the panel of this black velvet dress, roving that this bow trend can be used for both fun and classy looks.  Joggers I just love these joggers shown above in this adorable teal thick sweat pant with a row of printed bows.  Proving the versatility of this trend we now see the trend maneuver to activewear.  Tops The triple bow adornment is utilized beautifully in the above picture showcasing a denim puff sleeve top with bows down the panel.  This top exudes a classy feel and fits wonderfully with classic elements like peplums and denim. Contrastingly the below top utilizes bows in a gameday screen print to accentuate the excitement of football and southern fun. As you have been able to witness the bow design is a dynamic and fun trend that is likely to stay through out the entire season. As the trend evolves we will be sure to add more categories that we see this fun bow trend adorn itself with. Check back later!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

3 DropShippers Like the Avenue Shops

Drop shipping is fast becoming the #1 option for women to launch and grow their boutique stores. The benefits are well known;  low shipping benefits, cutting inventory costs, flexibility in product variety, and streamlining operations through outsourced fulfillment, all together making it an attractive choice for e-commerce sellers. 3 best drop shipping suppliers similar to Avenue Shops  1. Bloom Drop Ship Bloom has sprouted up quite recently and rose to the top due to is offering of full size runs that run small thru 3x and low costs, both on clothing and subscription price.  The number one ingredient that any successful drop shipper will need is product that they can price competievly versus the competition. When you drop ship with Bloom you are always assured that their costs are the lowest compared to any other drop shipper. This is possibly due to the fact that they are the only drop shipper out of Los Angeles which also gives them the ability to launch trends first.  I've seen items launch some 3-4 days after the brand itself launched the item. A major perk in out-competing competition!   Other then a solid selection and low clothing prices other features include a low subscription cost ($99), website building and assistance, tech packs that include website banners (very helpful) and same day shipping out of America.  Avenue Shops is a favorite of all drop shippers but if there was an option that was cheaper (and easier to use) Bloom would be that choice.   2. Boutique Simplified This is a stellar company that has been around for some time and only gotten better thru the years. They offer a nice complementary of unique styles and accessories and they are one nicest and most personable groups to work with. Prices are solid, pictures and models are cute and they ship same day with adorable wrappings and bagging giving your customer that mom and pop feel.   The Avenue Shops caters to more of a coastal/trendy customer where as Boutique Simplified is strictly that more midwestern feel. So if your a South Dakota boutique I think its worth trying Boutique Simplified!  3. KiwiDrop I'm not a fan of Chinese dropshippers but I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't giving you a popular choice for many drop shippers. Kiwi is a free offering with a huge amount of clothing and accessories available to sync to your Shopify website. I have found that using them for accessories is a great addition a top of your main drop shipping supplier.  Some customers don't mind their items shipping from China but it's been my experience in the boutique industry that this is a good way to lose a customer. However shipping accessories and jewelry from China doesn't seem to erk the customers and Kiwi's selection in that department is well beyond any other drop shipper. The great thing about all of these drop shippers including The Avenue Shops is you can use them all! It's worth noting that the biggest companies selling via drop shipping use 4-5 drop shippers for a full comprehensive offering. Good luck!  

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

5 Best USA Wholesale Suppliers For Your Boutique

Curating wholesale suppliers for your boutique is one of the most important tasks you can do as a boutique owner. Unfortunately finding them can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Top 5 Wholesale Clothing Suppliers.  Fashiongo Fashiongo is the leading wholesale clothing marketplace in the industry. It currently hosts thousands of suppliers from all over the country and is a premier business to work with. From coastal looks to deep southern trends, Fashiongo has it all covered. This easy to use platform lets you pay from multiple vendors and even consolidate the shipping to save you some money. Features Thousands of unique vendors Consolidated Shipping Easy functionality UI and order archive storage Excellent customer service     Bloom Wholesale Bloom is a unique wholesale clothing supplier that specializes in deep discount deals and affordable clothing brands. Their niche is clearly price and if you're a beginning boutique this company would serve you well.  Catch the weekly drops of hundreds of bargain wholesale clothing deals each week in this easy to use and trusted website.  Bloom also has a drop shipping service that has been one of the premier drop shipping providers in this relatively new market. Features Low Shipping Bargain Deals Assorted Packs Drop Shipping     Orange Shine Orangeshine like Fashiongo is a wholesale market place that caters to every boutique under the sun. They carry thousands of wholesale suppliers and vendors that are all a click away. Easy to use website that archives orders and has easy search functionality is a great site to use for any new or established boutique.  Orangeshine does a great job of showcasing many different vendors that you might otherwise not come across. Possibly the first and oldest marketplace, Orangeshine is a can't loose proposition for your wholesale buying needs. Features Thousands of unique wholesale suppliers Rewards program Consolidated shipping Easy to use website Great Customer Service     Faire Faire is the esty of wholesale. In search of those cute signs or trending accessories? No problem..Faire has you covered. This site is a newer wholesale marketplace and has made its niche in hosting small business suppliers with unique accessories and crafts for wholesale purchasing.  Faire is also a marketplace for clothing but in my opinion the prices are still a little high. And that might be because of their unique feature of Net terms. What's this you ask? This nifty tool offered by Faire gives you the ability to purchase now and pay later, sometimes up to 60 days later! Features Net Terms Unique accessories Thousands of clothing, shoe and accessory suppliers Prompt customer service     Judson and Company Judson and company is wholesale supplier out of the middle of the country. And this is extremely beneficial if you live in the midwest because shipping can be as little as 2 days.  Judson does a good job of consolidating thousands of vendors and offering its customers a beautiful curated display of todays trends in accessories, clothing and foot wear.  The problem with the wholesale marketplaces on this list is that there is no curation done for you and its up to you to scout the deals and vendors that suit your needs. As mentioned, what's great about Judson is they will do this for you. Features  Good prices Fast Shipping Amazing customer service Excellent curation of todays trends Rewards package 

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

5 Social Media Mistakes to Avoid as a Boutique Owner

If you're a boutique owner not using social media correctly you are putting your boutique in detrimental harm. Social media can help businesses reach more people, new audiences, and increase their customer base. However, there are also several mistakes that can be made on social media that should be avoided. For the best social media results, continue reading to learn about these mistakes and how to avoid them. Top 5 social media mistakes to avoid as a boutique owner. Neglecting or Not Using Social Media Enough as a Boutique Owner As mentioned above, not using social media enough can actually be detrimental to your botique. Social media can can help boost your reach and greatly improve visibility. Not using it is essentially throwing away the potential for new customers and sales.  As a boutique owner, you should be reaching out and connecting with people on as many platforms as you can. The more new eyes you can get seeing what you offer, the more customers you are likely to have. Plus, social media makes it easy for people to share posts with their friends and family. Referrals improve growth tremendously. Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin on Social Media It is important to not spread yourself too thin as a boutique on social media. Yes, it is important to have a strong social media presence. It is a great idea to connect with customers across different platforms. And, it can be hard to manage multiple platform pages, especially as a solo boutique owner or small team. There is only so much time and effort that can go into boosting social media presence. It is a better idea to choose one or two platforms to commit to. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where you have a low social media presence across multiple platforms. Therefore, potentially having subpar content because of time constraints.  Including Captions on Instagram and Facebook Picture Posts When posting photos of clothing on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to write a caption! This caption can be optimized by using keywords and hashtags that people continuously search for. This will lead to increased traffic on your post.  Also, just posting pictures without captions creates somewhat of a disconnect with customers. They may know nothing about your boutique or offerings. Captions are a perfect way to engage, connect with, and build relationships with current and potentially new customers.  Hashtags Are More Important Than You May Think Hastags can sometimes seem silly or unnecessary to some boutique owners who do not know their power. Actually, hashtags are one of the most highly used and common ways that people use social media. This helps to connect, relate, and thread posts together. To connect with fashion communities and show off your wares, hashtags are critical. It will help your posts show up in more searches, help customers find unique items, and strengthen your customer base over time. In other words, never forget to add trending hashtags to your posts, even if they seem silly!  Not Using Influencer Marketing Another huge social media mistake for many boutique owners is not using influencer marketing. If you’re unfamiliar with influencer marketing, lets talk about influencers first. An influencer is someone who has amassed a lot of followers on social media. People look to them for advice, lifestyle, engaging content, and more. The massive amount of eyes on these individuals make them great for showing off your products. There is typically be a fee that you will need to pay the influencer for their time. However, their promoted posts can often lead to significant sales for your boutique.  When using influencer marketing, it is important to connect with the right influencer. Do not use an influencer who has a lot of followers, but is not connected to fashion in any way. You’ll want to find an influencer who deals with fashion. This way, they will be able to get your products in front of people with similar interests. In other words, make sure you are marketing to the right crowd when using influencer marketing.  The Bottom Line of Social Media as a Boutique Owner   Realistically, if you want to survive and thrive as a boutique owner, social media is critical. It is where people go to find new styles, options, and stores to shop. Not putting yourself in front of an audience is a total waste.  Customers are constantly out there Googling “boutiques near me.” They are much more likely to visit your store when they have seen your posts. They’re more likely to check you out if they’ve connected with your store on these platforms. This is especially true if you are beginning as a boutique. You’ll need to get yourself out there and in front of people as fast as possible to begin receiving traffic.  Social media is far from the only thing to focus on when running a boutique. However, it is certainly an important factor that can be used to greatly grow your business.  Are You Searching For High Quality Wholesale Clothing for Your Boutique?   If you are a boutique having trouble with your wholesale options or would like to expand, we’re here to help. Our goal is to provide education on high quality, extensive, and affordable wholesale options. We understand that finding quality wholesale options can be overwhelming, especially as a starting boutique. This is why we aim to make the process as easy as possible. Feel free to browse our site to learn more about creating a boutique and finding wholesale options. We are excited for you to start building your business and hope that our content helps to answer your questions.

Boutique Blog – by Guest

6 Tips for Buying Wholesale Inventory for Boutique Owners

Guest blog post provided by Hubventory Buying wholesale inventory is one of the most important jobs of a boutique owner, and it can also be one of the most fun! However, not having a game plan can result in overstock inventory and uninterested customers. Reduce the risk of having leftover inventory with our 6 tips for buying wholesale inventory.  Always remember, buying wholesale inventory is about INVESTING in something that you are going to turn around and make a profit. Let's get into our 6 tips for buying wholesale inventory!  1. Know your customers If you don’t know your customers and who you are buying for, how can you serve them correctly? One way to get a better insight into your customer is by doing customer interviews or surveys. Some good questions to ask include:  What are your customers’ needs, wants, and desires? What are their pain points or frustrations? (Is this something you can offer a solution to? Customers will pay to have their problems solved.) What sizes do they need? What fit, feel, and function do they need? What colors do they love? Remember, just because you love it doesn't mean it is what your customer is looking for! 2. Know your options There are so many different options for boutique owners wanting to buy wholesale inventory. The first option to buy wholesale is from online marketplaces such as Hubventory. Buying wholesale on Hubventory can be beneficial as you can connect with new wholesale brands and shop for your retail business, all from the comfort of your couch!  Hubventory isn’t your average wholesale marketplace. Hubventory was created by the industry, with your business put first. Enjoy easy Shopify integrations & uploads, collaborative inventory planning boards, personalized feeds, honest pricing, instant member savings, and education all on the platform Learn More about Hubventory Another option to purchase wholesale is by attending a tradeshow market in person. Which is better, you ask? We suggest a marriage of the two. There are benefits to both in-person and online wholesale shopping. Going to an in-person market can offer inspiration, relationship building with vendors, and you’ll actually be able to see and feel the quality of the apparel. Major markets can be found in Chicago, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Las Angeles, Nashville - just to name a few! Remember to keep your customers in mind from tip #1. It’s easy to walk into a market or log onto Hubventory and get sidetracked by everything they have to offer. Go in with a plan and your customers in mind.  3. Understand your vendors sizing Nothing is worse than getting excited about an online order only to find out that the sizing isn’t correct. Make sure your customers don’t experience this with your boutique. It’s up to you to provide the right resources for your customer and knowing your vendors sizing is a key step in this process. 4. Understand Prepacks Vendors will most often pre-pack their items. These are packages of one item based on size runs. Common pre-packs include 2-2-2 (2 small, 2 medium, 2 large), or 1-2-2-1 (1 small, 2 medium, 2 large, 1 extra-large). It is up to you to make the best decision with these pre-packs. If you have a number of XL customers, it wouldn’t make sense to order a 2-2-2 pre-pack. Likely, if your customer base is primarily small-sized, it wouldn't make sense to order a 1-2-2-1 pack. Lot’s of numbers here, but this is a crucial part in making sure you aren’t left with overstock and buying what your customers actually need.  5. Keep Minimums in Mind Another important thing to keep in mind before purchasing from a vendor is minimums. Each vendor works differently, so make sure you ask about this. Some brands require a minimum dollar amount spent, while others require a minimum number of pre-packs bought. Is this something you can afford, or is it just that one sweater you fell in love with? The majority of the time, it is not worth it to break the bank to meet that minimum requirement for that one item. This is a huge red flag and will result in leftover inventory.  6. Price for Profit  It is easy to get caught up in a pricing bubble while wholesale shopping. When you are shopping around, the first thing you should ask yourself when you find something is ‘what will my customer pay for this?’ Once you’ve decided on a price, and only then, turn that price tag around. If the wholesale price is justifiable and can offer you a good ROI (return on investment), you’re good to go! If there isn’t a gap between your ideal retail price and the wholesale price, it might not be a good option.  FREE DOWNLOAD - More Tips on How to Buy Wholesale There is a science to knowing how to buy wholesale clothing for your boutique. There are plenty of apparel markets and online vendors you can go to, but knowing where and who to buy wholesale clothing from is key. This free download will go over the key tips for buying wholesale for your boutique. I want more tips!  We hope you loved our article on 6 Tips for Buying Wholesale Inventory. By shopping wholesale on Hubventory, members can take advantage of fair pricing and even member discounts on top brands! Sign Up to Shop on Hubventory now! 

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

7 Ways to Launch Your Sales This Holiday

With just two months out from the beginning of the Holidays it's time to start prepping! In this blog let's explore five strategies to help take your boutique to new heights this Holiday Season. 1. Curate a Holiday Themed Collection This is probably the funnest strategy and the easiest.  It involves browsing through all your favorite vendors and snapping up some holiday themed tops to blend together and comprise your boutique clothing line up with.  I'm sure there are many patterns, colors and themes in each holiday season but what we want to do is curate it down to your favorites and bring a collection of that into your store.  Promote this collection via your socials with themed reels and imagery that goes hand in hand with the collection and Holiday season.  Utilize these items for special promotions and discounts.  Customers love Holiday presents to use these themed pieces for giveaways to attract customers to your store and site. 2. Ramp Up Your Socials! One of my favorite social media strategies is encouraging your followers to dress up in the attire then they purchased for free giveaways. This user generated content is gold in the marketing world. It makes all the other non-buyers want to be a part of the group. Time to collaborate with influencers! Dish out some free clothing or money with ex bachelorettes or other influencers to get that swell of customers to come your way. Truthfully hashtags almost never provide those extra clicks you hope for but in the holidays strategic hashtags work more than any other time in the year. So be sure to finish those posts with some trending hashtags. 3. Holiday Christmas Party With any Holiday Christmas Party people will need Christmas sweaters. Let's combine the two and have a Christmas party at a boutique selling sweaters! No month throws more parties then the Christmas month of December.  Get out the appetizers, free giveaways, party games and decorations and throw your community an awesome party. 4. Provide Personal Shopping Experience Boutiques have to separate themselves from brick and mortars like Target and Ross and the best way they can do that is by offering a personal custom tailored experience for your customers.  This involves offering tips and suggestions on what party outfits to where and when to bring out the mini dress, etc. Another lovely strategy I love to employ in the holidays are personalized discount codes. These especially work on repeat customers; you can surprise them with emails or even physical letters inclusive with a discount code lettered in their first name. 5. Holiday Email Marketing Campaigns Try to beat out your competition by starting early on the release of Holiday collections and discounts. Before I was in the retail space I use to think that you had to release a Holiday item just weeks before that Holiday occured; boy was I wrong, the key to a great retail store is releasing Holiday items some 1-2 months before the Holiday occurs. That goes for Spring released, gameday, 4th of July and any other celebrated event with themed clothing. The reasoning is that even though customers don't purchase when you release they still review the items and keep it in the back of their minds for when they eventually do purchase. Get those emails out early with mailchimp or constant contact and start getting some eyeballs on those Holiday styles. 6. Fashion Show Ever been to a fashion show? They are super fun and you can make them a whole community experience by encouraging both young and old to attend the show and possibly partake in showcasing some fashion.  In the past I have tried both Halloween custom contests and Christmas crazy sweater contests. Why not throw these same parties and transform them into a fun community attended fashion show. 7. Collaborate with other Businesses The local church, hardware store and restaurants are just a couple suggestions of businesses that you can collaborate with. Bundle your gift cards, joint discounts, buy one here get 10% off there, are just some suggestions on how two businesses can work together.  Feature each others products by creating a special showcase area to present perhaps some restaurants goodies or other products from neighboring businesses and have them do the same. That's it for our seven holiday tips, if you have any feedback, suggestions or questions feel free to get in contact with us!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

8 Fashion Trends from Fall 2024 Preview (Updated)

Fall 2024 season hasn't arrived but the clothing has, let's take a peak at the trending styles. Fresh off Summer buying, we barely turn our heads and suppliers are releasing their 2024 Fall previews! It's hard to believe when we're amidst 100 degree weather what the reigning trends for Fall 2024 will be, but so far let's take a look at what's were seeing. Top 8 Trends in Fall 2024 1. Game Day Game day apparel offers an amazing opportunity for boutiques in those "wild about football" parts of the country to score some sales.  Most college students are on a budget so they don't have the money to buy the overpriced copyright sweaters and apparel that the universities release and that is where boutiques can step in and provide some affordable and more fun options to adorn and support your favorite football teams. If you are one of those fortunate boutiques to be nestled in Tennessee, Alabama or Florida, you cannot go wrong with stocking your shelves with some game day apparel.   2. Puffer Vests   Puffer quilted vests were a hot seller last year and that usually means it's good for another year.  You cannot go wrong with stock up on affordable quilted vests in a variety of customers. This sporty piece can be adorned with just about any fall or winter outfit. The puffer vest in this image is a quilted woven but I would expend to see some more textured vests that could include ribbed design, cotton materials and other materials that are trending for the season. 3. The Color Green Every year there is always one color that rises about the rest. Of course black is usually the #1 color picked but so far we are seeing a lot of forest green being purchased. I think its finally the year camel and rust get overtaken, we'll see! If Green is to stay a strong color then I would expect Burgundy or Maroon to be a strong color as it pairs well with green. In the past couple seasons we've been seeing a surprising amount bright and colorful colors in the beginning parts of Fall. I would be cautious with these colors as you could get burned. The problem is these exotic colors are fun and some customers really want them but then out of nowhere they drop in popularity and everyone switches to the dull Fall colors and you are left with shelves full of long sleeve colorful tops that you won't be able to sell for another 365 days. I was recently quoted about my top picks for the 2024 Fall color palette in the article Predicting Fall Décor Trends: What to Expect This Season. You can read through that article to see what other leading designers in the space are seeing and their predictions.    4. Plaid Oh look at that! I puffer vest and plaid, we've got ourselves a winner. Plaid has been ultra strong the last two years and I expect it to do very well this year.  Plaid, like floral is one of those trends that you really never lose on. So be sure when your doing your Fall and Winter buying to stock up on some unique takes on this classic trend. 5. Henleys Henley's are making an early run as the latest up and coming trend. Buttons of some variations are always going to be a winner and it looks like the sleek and sexy button henley will be our Fall winner of 2024. If this trend breaks out look for this henley trend to be adorned across not just tops but sweaters and dresses.  6. Big Florals Florals have been the #1 trend for the last three years and just like 7 years ago when they were the #1 trend the trend peaked when the floral turned big. Looks like its not different this time around as overly large floral prints are trending really well the last couple weeks. You cannot go wrong with florals as they are a classic print that will never stay long on the shelves of any boutique. Expect to see this trend a top tops, dresses and sweaters like the one images above. Ditsy florals are a great addition as well and they sold great in summer season. Ditsy however is usually more attributable to Spring and Summer and Floral if done in the fall and winter usually has a more toned down look or in the case of big florals is a unique perspective on the classic trend. 7. Stripes Two Fall trends were no were to be seen in 2023 Fall/Winter, that being stripes and camo. One of those is making a return and it's not camo. Stripes are a classic design and are usually always making a strong place in the season. However I would limit your stripe purchasing to large color block type stripes like the ones imaged above. Anything outside of that is untested at this point and not a necessary buying risk.  Expect this trend to be on tops and dresses but it worth noting that a good stripe dress can be highly desirable. Look out for this trend to gain in traction and make an even stronger push come 2025 spring. 7. Bows Bows made a strong push last season being adorned by bows, tops and jewelry. We're seeing even more bows at the start of this fall season. The verdict is not out at Buywholesaleclothing wether this will continue to be a strong trend so buyer beware on this one.  The problem with these random trends that come out of nowhere is that as quickly as they appear they disappear and vanish. Bows is by now means a classic trend so if you are not confident about this trend and your not getting inquiries from customers I would steer clear of this trend.   Early popular fall trends that emerge in July and August don't always stick around but thats also why they are usually tamed down trends like henleys, plaid, etc. As the Fall season carries on and we get into September you get to see the real unique trends that are specific to that year and season. One that that does emerge soon and stays that way is usually color. Since we're seeing a lot of green this year its safe to say that rust and camel will not be so popular as it once was and a new blend of colors around the greenish hue will do really well for 2024. That concludes the five strong early trends were seeing for 2024, happy shopping shoppers!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

8 Tips for Launching a Boutique During a Recession (Updated)

The retail market and the economy post covid has taken a nose dive. Retail discretionary spending is at an all time low and it looks like a new normal has arrived. Let's take a look at ways we can save and still expand your boutique. In the face of economic challenges, entrepreneurs often find innovative ways to thrive, and the clothing boutique industry is no exception. In this blog post, let's explore a strategic approach to launching and sustaining a successful clothing boutique during a recession. 8 Tips To Launch Your Boutique 1. Define Your Niche Boutiques need to stand out and it's your #1 job to find the right route to make that happen. To stand out you can try things like creating a boutique niche and develop a compelling story. I've seen boutiques find success on concentrating on targeted themes like game day, plus size, young and hip, steals and deals and more. Understanding your target audience and offering something unique—whether it's in style, pricing, or customer experience—will set the foundation for a successful venture.  Understanding your target audience can be a surprisingly difficult thing and you can check out this blog that gives you 5 ways to identify your audience for more help. 2. Build Strong Relationships with Wholesale Vendors Wholesaler Vendors play a pivotal role in the success of clothing boutiques. Establishing strong relationships with wholesale suppliers can lead to better pricing, favorable credit terms, and a reliable supply of inventory. Companies like Entro have a facebook buying group, this is where you can establish relations and score some deals that you otherwise wouldn't get. It pays to do your research and go the extra mile with the vendors that you will be closely working with.  You can meet in person with wholesale distributors at fashion events, these events like Magic in Vegas, Offprice Show, Dallas Market host hundreds of the top vendors around the country and most of the time are attended by the manager and owners of the brands. If you are willing and outgoing, try your hand at rubbing shoulders with the owner and buying them a drink as it could be a lucrative partnership!  3. Explore New Product Lines Keep trying new things! Every year new trends occur and some vendors can be better than others at spotting those trends and cultivating them into their seasonal designs. For instance game day has been really popular this year as the rise in college sports continues. Unfortunately branded college apparel is super expensive, just look at Kentucky University site to see $40 tees and $80 sweaters, and Kentucky is no exception.  With these ultra high game day pieces as they are boutiques can swoop in and offer up some trendy game day pieces customers who want to support without breaking their bank. It's new trends like these that offer you a fresh start every season to collect some new customers. 4. Strategize Your Vendor Selection Some boutiques stick with a few vendors and some too many. I say choose vendors that align with your boutique's values and customer preferences and don't worry about having too many or too little brands. Look for vendors with a reputation for quality, reliability, and ethical business practices. Building a strong network of vendors ensures a steady supply chain and minimizes disruptions, even in challenging economic times. 5. Build Up Your Online Presence Building an online site is the cheapest and most effective thing you can do in a recession. Online shops are a way to connect 24/7 with customers and can be completed in all under $100/month. Even if you have a brick and mortar store incorporate e-commerce into your boutique's strategy helps you reach a wider audience. Read my blog on how to build a great custom website here. Utilize social media platforms on your site to showcase your inventory, customer RL(real life) photos and directly engage with customers.. 6.Leverage Social Media Marketing Get ready to harness the power of billion dollar social media platforms and promote your boutique to the world. Utilize platforms like Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your clothing lines, share style tips, and engage in conversations with your audience. Try collaborating with small influencers to extend your reach and build brand awareness. Perhaps you can offer them free samples in exchange for a quick review. 7.Create Smart Financial Planning During a recession, every penny counts. Create a detailed budget that includes all aspects of your boutique business—from inventory and marketing to operating expenses. I find it's better to go less on purchasing clothing than more. Try adopting drop shipping into your store to provide the same trendy pieces while paying no costs on the merchandise or storage.  Try to limit the number of employees you have and hire family and friends that are willing and able to help you build your boutique. Offer them incentives and perks for working with you if you can't afford them the big salary. 8. Customer-Centric Approach A successful boutique thrives on satisfied and loyal customers. In crisis financial times like these its best to invest in direct relationships with loyal customers. Make sure that you keep your core group of customers because surely as the economy worsens you will lose a lot of new and periphery customers. Provide exceptional customer service, personalize shopping experiences, and actively seek customer feedback. Implement loyalty programs and promotions to encourage repeat business, turning satisfied customers into brand advocates. Successfully navigating a recession in the clothing boutique business requires a strategic blend of niche targeting, strong wholesale relationships, and effective vendor management. By diversifying your product lines, optimizing your online presence, and maintaining a customer-centric approach, your boutique can not only survive but also thrive in challenging economic times. Remember, adaptability and a commitment to quality are key ingredients for long-term success in the boutique industry. Best of luck! Anna

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Grow Boutique Sales with Etsy & Online Marketplaces

Being an online boutique owner is fun and exciting. For many people, running a successful boutique is a dream come true. It does, however, require staying on top of consumer buying trends and taking advantage of today’s marketing tools. Online marketplaces, like Etsy, is one of those tools that can help you expand your audience and grow sales. So, let's delve in to the specifics. Why Add other Platforms? First and foremost, growing your brand in creative ways is paramount to making your boutique stand out. While the U.S. provides a large target base of consumers, the fashion industry is a very competitive market. Online clothing sales now make up 20% of all U.S. retail sales and in 2021, online apparel sales reached $159 billion, a 15% year-over-year increase from 2020. Capturing interest and expanding audience reach is more important today than ever. While using social media like Facebook and TikTok to conduct live sales is a great strategy for online boutiques, marketplaces are becoming a popular and lucrative way to reach more potential buyers. While there are many to choose from today, this blog will focus on Etsy, which offers easy entry, low commissions and exposure to millions of shoppers. Etsy is on Fire! Founded in 2019, Etsy, Inc. is an American e-commerce company that began with an emphasis on selling handmade items. In 2013 however, this expanded to a wide range of categories, including jewelry, bags, clothing and home decor. According to Statista.com, millions of sellers use Etsy to sell their goods and products to Etsy's vast community of buyers. Etsy has become a go-to website for shopping and has a large presence of female shoppers. Who can Sell? Anyone in the U.S. 18 years of age or older can create a shop page, upload products and begin to sell. Etsy is not a warehouse; all selling is done by independent sellers like you, entrepreneurs with boutique products and apparel. It is both a selling platform to reach literally millions of shoppers and is also considered a search engine. Why Sell on Etsy? Today, online boutiques can tap into many online tools and programs to source and sell products – from using live sales features on Facebook and TikTok to joining fashion dropship programs like Bloom or Kiwi to source products. But growing your audience beyond family, friends and your local community can be challenging. This is where online marketplaces like Etsy can help as they allow you to tap into their large base of shoppers. Here is why we decided to highlight Etsy as one of the easiest marketplaces to start with:  Low start-up cost Large audience Personalized storefront (brand building) Free storefront Esty SEO (adding tags, titles, etc.) Integrates with Shopify Low seller fees or commissions What Does it Cost to Sell on Etsy? Creating a storefront with Etsy is easy and only requires posting at least one listing in the shop. Each product listing will cost $0.20 and the post will remain on your shop's page for a maximum of 4 months. The price of products is set by the shop owner, and Etsy takes a 6.5% commission from the total sales proceeds. That total includes the price of the product you list, as well as the amount you charge for shipping, gift wrapping or any add-on. If you do not have a boutique store running on Shopify, you have the option to open an Etsy storefront and manually upload product images and manage orders and shipping. If you do have a boutique store running on Shopify, you can easily set up an end-to-end integration between your store, Etsy and any drop shipper who is also on Shopify, such as Bloom Dropship. Below is an outline of how it works: Download the Shuttle App from Shopify ($15-$24 dollars per month) Create an Etsy storefront and link Transfer products, quantity, pricing etc. from your Shopify store Orders automatically come to your Shopify store Bloom Dropship automatically emails you the wholesale cost/invoice   Bloom Dropship will email tracking numbers upon order shipment   Let's Wrap It Up Online marketplaces are a great way to reach more potential buyers. They can increase brand awareness and drive more sales in a highly competitive industry. We personally like Etsy with its easy entry, low-cost commissions and access to millions of active buyers, most of whom are women! Walmart, Poshmark and Google Shop are also growing in popularity, which we will explore in a separate blog. But don’t delay – Etsy is a great place to start! 

Boutique Blog – by Jolie S

How Can I become a Manufacturer?

Looking to start your brand and become a manufacturer? Let's take a look at the 5 simples steps to launch your brand. 1.) Register Your Brand Like with starting any business, the first thing you need to do is file paperwork with the state and federal agency to register your company. You can head to this link to learn more about which type of company you should register for, but chances are in the very beginning your will be a sole proprietorship in the very beginning. If you feel you have an incredible name and you don't want anyone to steal it you can also trade mark it. Whether you trademark or not you will also need to create a DBA (Doing Business As) you can usually just file in the newspaper that your business is a DBA with so and so brand and this is usually good enough to bring to your bank so that the checks assigned to that DBA can also be deposited in your personal bank account. 2.) Design With everything registered you will need to create designs. I'm sure you already have a concept but how can you turn those thoughts and imagination into the real thing? Adobe Illustrator and Photoshopare still the top two design softwares utilized by designer to create their designs. Once you have your jpegs or pdf's there are many sites out there that offer easy printing solution on all things apparel. Custom Inkand many other similar websites allow you to take a simpel PDF design and apply it to shirts, sweaters, socks, etc. and that is a great way of jump starting your brand. If the designs are something more intricate then you will need to find a manufacturer. 3.) Finding a Manufacturer Back when I was young you had to know someone to get a China manufacturing connection. These days you can head to Alibabaand find hundreds of willing suppliers to manufacturer your products. The immediate issue you will run into is minimums. Minimums is a term that simply refers to the amount of units required my the manufacturer to create the product you want to make. IE. if you have an idea for a pair of shoes and you want to manufacturer 10 of them for your store, think again, you will likely need to start with 240 pieces to even get any Alibaba manufacturer to work with you. There in lies the issue with manufacturing, yes people have lots of great ideas and designs but do they have the finances and sales distribution to go with it. 4.) Financing Finding someone to finance your start up brand is insanely unlikely, 100% of the time most brands start from self-financing. Thus you will either have to save up a lot of money or get a small business loan to start your brand. Now that money has entered the arena, you want to make sure you are going to be successful and not put the rest of your adult life in a money pit of debt. That's why reading step five will be crucial because before you put a penny into any of your designs you want to be sure that you will sell it and there is a customer for it. To finish off with point four on financing, so long as your credit is good and you are in good standing with a bank there is a possibility of getting a small business loan that will more then be enough to produce a couple manufactured items. 5.) Who To Sell Too? Most manufacturing is a process of risk aversion. IE. brands create a product and produce that product with close to 100% certainty that it will sell, they do this by working hand in hand with the buyers or retailers who want this product produced for them. The retailers have certainty because they have expensive buyers and analytics that tells them how much to bring in and what. So how can you find buyers for your products or work with retailers? That's really an open ended question and hard to answer. Out in the world are trillions of dollars being transacted on a yearly basis. It's your job to pick the market you want to infiltrate and understand everything about it. Like who are the buyers, sellers, brands and what is being offered currently that you can adjust or enhance. On simple terms imagine you walk into a clothing boutique and simply ask them, how can I make you more money? Their response is if I have cheaper or better products then I could possibly excite more customers. Now ask yourself if you did that to 20 boutiques and found a way to excite them with a product you are brining in and get a commitment to purchase (purchase order) then this would be a great place to start for your manufacturing brand. The good news is, is that you don't need to travel around your state searching for 20 boutiques. You can meet hundreds in one place at Fashion exhibits. Build your products and brand, set up a booth and get those purchase orders! This is the key to the success and yes it will take some up front costs and investments for the prototypes, booths and workers to get this ignited before ever landing that first purchase order. Best of Luck!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

How I Quit My Job and Started A Boutique

In this blog we will look at the key elements that all successful boutiques share and unveil the most essential tool you need to launch your boutique. My path to boutique success started something like this: having finished college I immediately paused my pursuit of being an elementary school teacher and gave a try at my real passion, fashion and clothing.  I began by attempting to create my own boutique and after just a year I was fresh out of ideas and most importantly cash. Dejected, I decided to enter the fashion market by becoming the assistant brand merchandiser for TJ Maxx, eventually ending up as a head buyer for their juniors clothing department.  Working with manufacturers for those eight years and being behind the scenes at a multi billion dollar corporation gave me knowledge that elevated my understanding of how a successful business is run. Some of that knowledge includes the seven basic elements which we will touch on shortly. First let's begin with step 1 on how to launch your boutique. Register Your Boutique For federal use, you will need to set up your business as an individual, llc, s corp, or c corp.  Deciding which is best for you can be a difficult thing to navigate. Each has its own advantages, but I will save you the time and let you know that likely you will just start as an individual as this will give you the best tax breaks. IE. you can say you're working from home office, include your internet, electrical bills and many other items as federal tax deductions.  If you get a little bigger and starting hiring employees go ahead and start looking at becoming an S corp.   Create a Company Name This is everyones favorite part! Coming up with a boutique name. When you create a boutique name your welcome to trademark it but this is very unneccessary until your a multi million dollar brand. Make sure the name is unique as this will help you stand out against potential competitors and will give you the best chance of owning the .com URL and many social media urls. (Ie. facebook.com/yourboutiquename) Find Wholesale Clothing You need all the competitive edges you can get when starting a boutique and one of the biggest is sourcing low cost clothing.  With 20 years of experience I have located the sites where you can find amazing clothing at literally 50% off: FashionGo - Fashiongo is simply an online showroom that hosts thousands of USA vendors and suppliers. Hidden inside each vendor's page may or may not be a sales page.  In these collections you can score deals on styles that start as low as $5.00. You can also search and sort products by price, starting with the low prices. Scanning through these pages you will be sure to view many great deals a long the way. BloomWholesale - The next three sites are in a class of their own and I would turn them off-price distributors. These distributors have a unique business model that allows them to purchase in bulk closeout items from your favorite manufacturers and in turn list them at prices on their site for 50% off. Bloomwholesale concentrates more in mid-western styles, lot's of plus and missy look.  They have been around for over ten years and the trick with them is they release all of their merchandise on Saturday morning, which is where you can pick up all the best stuff. WholesaleFashionTrends - Like Bloom FashionTrends is also a closeout company that purchases largely from Fashiongo vendors at ultra low prices and offers them up on their site.  These products are usually last seasons items but with so much crossover between each seasons trends usually your customers aren't privy to this. Wholesale Fashion Trends offers a young contemporary look for that more chic girl whose looking for a sometimes sexier look. TashaApparel - Tasha Apparel is another young contemporary off price clothing vendor that specializes in that younger look for all types of demographics.  Attending shows is another great way to discover the latest trends and emerging brands that you can carry in your boutique.  We have a blog listing all the shows in the nation and continually refresh it with any new shows.  Before online wholesale vendor sites event shows were the primary source of acquiring wholesale fashion. Although they aren't as important as they once were for sourcing clothing they still serve as a key component to networking, which can serve you will in this tough industry. Designing Your Boutique If you are designing a brick and mortar store I will leave the design aesthetic up to you.  What's important is to make it unique and stand out from the competition. You will need a lot of DYI and I suggest looking at some youtube videos for inspiration and ideas. If your planning on solely opening an online boutique to get you started, my biggest suggestion would be to start with Shopify. What's great about Shopify is it has the largest app store and app's are a major key to success in marketing and analytics. Shopify comes with a lot of pre-built designs and some paid builds that are as impressive as any online ecommerce store you've visited. If you're interested in a $400 custom built site hit my girl up, melissa@bloomdropship.com and for my money she has the best designs for a low price and can walk you through how to use Shopify if you're unfamiliar with it. Marketing Your Shop This blog is always popping out a new article on the latest and greatest trends and marketing advantages you can take.  As an examples you can take a look at this post that was published last week that talks about the newest sales channels boutiques are utilizing.  With that said trends and where to sell are continuously changing and anything written now on this topic will likely change in one to two years.   Let's dive deeper into seven aspects of running your boutique that you need to study up on.  These are the core elements I garnered from my time at TJ Maxx and helped me find success on my second go at launching a boutique. The 7 Basic Elements  Market and Trend Analysis - Learning how to analyze season fashion trends, customer preferences and price points for different groups and demos. Manufacturer relationships and Sourcing - Negotiating clothing prices and best terms, developing an eye for quality fabrics that would elevate brand value. Inventory Management - Balancing stock and avoiding overstock while securing profits in strong economic times from not under stocking. Buying early trends and beginning flashy and effective sales sooner than your competition. Pricing Strategies - Always securing profitable margins and harnessing effective markdown strategies. Leading and managing - Managing people was the hardest aspect of my job and every year I understood how to do that better by showing strength and assertiveness and kindness when it counts. Financial Planning - A continual revisit of past effective strategies to enhance new ones and learning from the bad months of financial history. Competitive Edge - Comprehensively studying my competitors to learn what they are doing well. Copy the parts you can while enhancing your own vision of what you can offer your customers.  "At 28 years old I decided to quit my job and make a second go at launching a boutique." With very little capital I decided to focus on creating a business and product that was cost effective yet had something unique to offer customers.  At this time subscription boxes were doing really well. Companies like StitchFix were becoming huge and I decided to jump on the trend and make my own subscription box. I built a cute website on Shopify, shot some original photos in my rustic backyard and marketed it out on facebook.  In a matter of months it was a huge hit.  Family and friends were intrigued by this subscription box and loved the novelty of having items picked out for them by a fashion expert. This brings me to my #1 tip and tool if your serious about quitting your job and starting a boutique, and that is: #1 Tool - Jump On a New Trend Early The fashion market is like an ocean of waves and every so often a good wave comes a long and has the opportunity to sweep you up and take you for the ride.  But just like surfing, you must be aware, equipped with the skills to take advantage of the opportunity and a strong determination to hop on before your competitors do.  Every four to six years there is generally a new big wave, think internet boom, social media, flash sales, subscription boxes, fast fashion, drop shipping. Every season there are essentially smaller waves and these are fashion changes that occur every season, think floral, animal, game day, gingham, boho, maxi dresses, lace tops, etc.  The goal is to capitalize on these developing trends before other businesses beat you to it. In the world of fashion small businesses do just that and that is why boutiques make up a huge chunk of fashion consumer spending. In fact large department stores rarely capitalize on these trends because of their lack of ability to adapt.  Large stores concentrate on ease and ultra low price points to lure consumers.  This leaves a massive vacancy for small businesses and boutique to bust in and utilize new developing trends to generate sales. I'm writing this blog and the day is January 20th 2025.  The last massive trend to ignite thousands of boutiques was drop shipping and live selling, but unfortunately this has deflated in the last year.  The answer to which trend will be the one you need to hop on is still yet unknown.  It's your task to find the next Tiktok and be always alert on clothing trends that will allow you to ride the wave all the way to owning a successful boutique.  So What's the Next Fashion Wave? My prediction for the next big wave is two fold, in-store experience and boho.  Post covid leisure markets cruises and camping resorts have exploded in popularity and I think we will see a continuation of these trends move across every consumer market. Within fashion the in-store consumer experience will be where women will decide to spend their hard earned savings. Unfortunately the online experience has been oversaturated by Temu, Shein and a host of others that have rigged the game to dominate the online boutique landscape with half of pricing and pictures that are ripped straight off of American boutiques sites.  Thus the importance to develop either in-house/garage/camper van boutiques for those on a budget or those with a solid budget, an aesthetic store front where shoppers can get royal treatment and royal clothing.  In terms of the next fashion wave, it's looking like Boho and animal is about to come alive again. This trend was ultra popular some ten year ago and as trends do, every decade they come back with a vengeance with a new twist. When you start your boutique on the back of a developing technology or trend, success is not ensured. You will still need to be versed in all of the businesses practices I mentioned previously to help foster and sustain momentum to keep surfing on. Thank's For Reading! If you would like to learn more specifics about licenses and costs to starting a boutique you can click here or visit the many blog posts on this website that will enhance your knowledge on what steps to take first. I encourage you to visit a fashion show near you where you can meet other boutique owners and vendors and come away with invaluable information and resources.  

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Spring 2023 Trends For Your Boutique!

Spring 2023 is here and with it comes a new season of fashion trends. Boutiques are already stocking their shelves with the latest styles, and it's time to start planning your spring wardrobe. The Trends We Are Seeing One of the biggest trends for spring 2023 is pastels. Soft, muted shades of pink, blue, and yellow are all making a comeback. Pastel dresses, skirts, and even suits are all popular choices for the season. Pair pastel pieces with neutral accessories for a chic, understated look. Another trend to watch out for is bold prints. From florals to animal prints, vibrant patterns are all the rage. Mix and match different prints for a fun, eclectic look, or go for a more cohesive outfit by pairing a printed top with solid bottoms. If you're looking for something a bit more classic, consider investing in some tailored pieces. Structured blazers and trousers in neutral colors are both timeless and on-trend for the season. Dress them up with heels for a night out, or keep it casual with some sneakers. For a more laid-back, bohemian vibe, flowy dresses and peasant tops are a great choice. These pieces are perfect for warmer weather and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Pair them with some statement jewelry and some braided sandals for a festival-ready outfit. When it comes to accessories, statement earrings are having a moment. From oversized hoops to beaded chandelier styles, there are plenty of options to choose from. Trade in your basic studs for something a bit more eye-catching this season. Bucket hats are also making a comeback in a big way. These versatile hats can be dressed up or down and are perfect for protecting yourself from the sun in the warmer months. Look for ones with fun patterns or prints for an added pop of personality. If you're feeling adventurous, try incorporating some neon pieces into your wardrobe. Bright, bold colors like neon green and orange are sure to turn heads and add some fun to your spring outfits. No spring wardrobe is complete without a great pair of sunglasses. This season, round frames are particularly popular. Whether you opt for a retro-inspired pair or something more modern, round sunglasses are a chic and timeless choice. Finally, don't forget about your feet. Chunky sneakers and platform sandals are both hot trends for the season. Look for styles with fun details, like beading or embroidery, to add some interest to your outfits. With these trends in mind, you'll be well on your way to building the perfect spring wardrobe. Mix and match different pieces to create a look that's uniquely you, and have fun experimenting with new styles. Happy shopping!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Start A Boutique On A Budget

You've always wanted to launch your boutique but don't have the cash. This blog will explore all the ways we can accomplish this dream while not breaking the bank. Looking for a super simple approach to making a bustling boutique biz? This blog post won't make you instant rich, you will need a ton of dedication and years of work for that, but what I can do is tell you the easiest way to start a boutique and do it on a budget. In fact if you follow the five steps I've outlined below you could possibly find yourself with that boutique you've always dreamed of by the end of the week!  Step 1: Building Your Store On A Budget The first and most foundational step in starting your boutique is building your online store. This will be the hub of your business where customers can browse and purchase your products. Here are two great options to consider: Shopify: This platform is a favorite among small business owners due to its affordability and extensive app integrations. Shopify offers numerous themes and templates that you can customize to fit your boutique’s aesthetic. Additionally, it provides a variety of tools for marketing, inventory management, and customer support. CommentSold: If you want a more specialized solution, particularly for boutiques, CommentSold is an excellent choice! This platform offers features like your own branded app, seamless integration with Facebook and TikTok for live selling, and robust inventory management. While it might be a bit pricier than Shopify, (I think it starts around $299/month) the specialized tools can provide a significant advantage in growing your boutique.    After choosing your platform, you’ll need to decide on a plan that fits your budget and future growth. With a solid plan in place, you’re ready to move on to the next step. Step 2: Designing Your Site With your store platform selected, it’s time to design your website! A great looking site (click for example) is essential to attract and retain customers. Here’s how to achieve a high-quality design without spending a fortune: Purchase a Pre-Made Package: Many platforms like Shopify and Commentsold offer an affordable, pre-designed templates that you can customize. These templates are often professional and visually appealing, providing a great starting point. It's usually very easy to create these websites with the packages, just a couple clicks and you've got a beautiful layout. To learn more click here. Customize with Images: To make your boutique stand out, use high-quality images that represent your brand. If you’re working with a limited budget, consider using free stock photo websites or even taking your own pictures with a smartphone. I've seen many websites gather up some friends and shoot on their Iphone, these images come off both professional and geniune. The goal is to create an inviting and user-friendly website that reflects the style and vibe of your boutique. Keep it fun, clean, and easy to navigate. Step 3: Including Products Now that your store is designed, it’s time to stock it with products! Since you’re on a budget, dropshipping is an ideal solution. This method allows you to sell products without holding inventory and they also provide the support and help that you will need when creating a boutique. Here are some recommended dropshipping partners: Bloom Dropship: This service provides a wide range of fashion products along with product images, marketing materials, and syncing options. It’s an excellent choice for fashion-forward boutiques. Ave Shops: Another great dropshipping partner, Ave Shops offers some great product, stunning images, and marketing support that will make your customers think you are a million dollar venture. They have their own app that syncs to your shopify and is super easy to use. You can view a more comprehensive list of dropshippers here.  Using dropshippers not only minimizes your financial risk but also saves you time on inventory management. With a variety of products available at your fingertips, you can curate a unique selection that aligns with your boutique’s brand. Step 4: Getting Sales At this stage, you have a beautifully designed store and a cute boutique products.  The next challenge is the most difficult task, sales. Here’s how I got about capturing sales: TikTok Reels: TikTok is blowing up and I hear rumors some women are selling upwards of 1000 pieces on a single viral video. You can try to get a viral reel but creating energetic and fun reels that showcase your products in a unique way. To achieve this try using the latest trending music, some popular hashtags, and or doing the latest dance! The goal is create something that people want to watch. Tiktok will reward this effort by sharing it with new potential customers. Read my blog about how to go viral on Tiktok. Social Media Advertising: Although this can be pricey, putting a small budget aside for targeted ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can add huge benefit. These ads are very effective in reaching your specific customers. If ads are too expansive I would suggest making a live show on facebook, here's how to do that.  Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with small influencers or you can start with trying utilizing your friends and family to try on a haul of your latest items. Keep experimenting with different strategies to see what works best for your boutique. Eventually something will stick. Step 5: Taking Care of Your Customers The final step in building a successful boutique on a budget is excellent customer service. Happy customers will return and recommend your boutique to others. Here’s how to ensure great customer care: Follow Up: After a purchase, send follow-up emails thanking customers and asking for feedback. This shows that you value their business and are committed to them. Handle Issues Promptly: If a customer receives a damaged item or has a problem with their order, address it as quick as you can. Offer up a solution such as replacements, refunds, or discounts on future purchases. Engage More with Customers: Be being responsive on social media and through email you will give the service your customers can't get at department store. Answer questions, acknowledge compliments, and handle complaints gracefully. Building a community around your brand can significantly enhance customer loyalty. By focusing on customer satisfaction, you will not only build a positive reputation but also encourage repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals, both of which are super important for growing your boutique. Remember, the key to success lies in careful planning, creative marketing, and exceptional customer service. With dedication and the right strategies, your boutique can grow and flourish, even on a shoestring budget.  Happy building!  

Boutique Blog – by Krystal W

Summers Hottest Boutique Trends for 2025

We're going through this Summers hottest trends to give you the edge you need to buy the top sellers for your boutique! 1. Crochet Crochet is probably has the lead as the top trend at the moment.  Crochet takes inspiration from the boho movement that is additionally growing with each passing day.  Crochets can come with netting designs, floral, beach mesh looks and more.  This timeless trend gives customers a since of exclusivity and richness.   I'm not seeing a lot of color incorporated into the crochets, most pieces come in the classic and durable taupe and ivory. 2. Camo Camo is killing it at the moment! This trend to a major back seat for the last two years but just like that its rolled around yet again to start dominating the trends. At the moment were mostly seeing camo adorned by the younger demographics but I wouldn't be surprised to see this trend blow up leading into Fall/Winter 2025. 3. Denim Denim continues to have an incredible strong run. As customers have tightened their belts and been shy to pull the trigger on niche fast trends, they gravitated towards timeless durable pieces that can be worn all year round and for several years.  Nothing in fashion is more durable then denim thus its continue popularity. We're seeing boot cuts do well, denim jeans and honestly nothing does bad in this category.  4. Summer Dress Dresses were such a weak spot in last years Spring buying. But in 2025 they have roared back to take one of the top spots in this season trends.  With summer dresses were seeing mainly floral prints, crochets and bold colors. 5. Patriotic Attire   Possibly with a new president in office and a push of nationalism the USA and patriotic looks are crushing it this year. Sweaters and tops adorned with USA stitching, and star embellished bottoms are doing particularly well.

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

The 5 Best Dropshipping Clothing Vendors

Finding a great USA dropshipper is essential to running your boutique! There are several US dropshippers that I use to supply my boutique. Top Best 5 Drop Shipping Vendors 1) Bloom Drop Ship  Bloom is an awesome dropshipper, they are perfect for giving you that clothing look and imagery for that authentic midwestern boutique look. Bloom’s pictures and models are similar to what you would say from Mint Julep, Chic Soul and other top tier boutiques. However Bloom is my number one because their clothing sells the most and this is likely because their prices are lower then the other two drop shippers I use. Bloom has a turn key service and even can build you a website for a couple hundred dollars, and its not too snazzy! The team is headed by former clothing boutique owners and knows what they are doing.  Bloom is one of the last remaining dropship vendors that charges a subscription fee of I believe $99. Unlike most dropship vendors who have gone free Bloom has decided to keep their product and images to just the select few who want to work with him. This is great news if your looking for exclusivity, which in the long run will ensure lasting growth and unique quality products versus going with stuff that everyone else has access too. Other benefits are they carry tons of Judy Blue (my customers eat this up) and they only carry clothing that comes in full size ranges including Plus Size. 2) Boutique Simplified Boutique Simplified is one of the original boutique specific drop shippers. When I say boutique specific I am describing the drop shippers that are the opposite of the China junk, bad picture and odd sizing drop shippers like Aliexpress, Oberlo and others. Instead these fashion drop shippers are catering to the women who want to make an authentic looking American Boutique. Boutique Simplified provides a mix of great models, good brands, tech packs, multiple weekly launches and many unique and useful perks that make selling their clothing easy. They are not quite as robust as Bloom nor are their pictures as good but they are still a great option. Update: Boutique Simplified has gone free and they use AI photos but still provide great reels and the clothing isn't too bad for the price. I think they are still a good addition to any boutique. 3) Trendsi Trendsi is a free app (yay free!) and they do a good job of utilizing the China stuff and reframing it so that it can sell on your boutique site. Their downside is that yes, they do sell China stuff, which is likely why it’s free. But at the end of the day literally everything comes from China anyways so the quality isn’t too bad and they offer something like 100 new items a day that you can sync to your site and sell seamlessly. I know I said I don't like China stuff but if thats your game then I have to at least offer you the dropship vendors that provide it. Trendsi has all the latest and greatest tech to provide you the latest trends coming from China.   4) Avenue Shops Avenue has been a trendsetter for dropship vendors for the last couple of years. They utilize some awesome tech and highly professional images to set themselves apart from the competition. As of recently they are also free for anyone who wants to work with them.  They ship out of USA and do a good job of 24 hour fast shipping. Avenue is one of my favorites to work with and if your interested in dropshipping clothing for your boutique this is a vendor you must look at. Based out of Utah, Avenue has four weekly launches that include a bunch of awesome boutique products like denim, tops and dresses and does a good job of carrying Small through 3x. So what is there not to love about Ave? As mentioned they are free, which I think is awesome but unfortunately everyone uses them so some customers have reached out to me and asked why my pictures and products are also posted on other sites. This isn't always a great conversation to have and one I try to avoid, but this is all part of the territory when your working with free dropship vendors. 5) CommentSold Known for their websites and fancy tech engineered for the small boutique, the vendor Commentsold now offers a dropship catalog for a monthly price of around $250. This is quite expensive but the good news is its an all in one package that includes a website, app and other fancy tools that help you sell on multiple social platforms like Instagram and the booming TikTok. I really don't have many bad things to say other then the platform provides a ton of Chinese stuff and doesn't tell you exactly that it's China stuff.  Commentsold doesn't actually sell its own merchandise though, it's really just a host for people like Trendsi and Ave, who also sell their products on this platform. Commentsold is growing fast and taking on host providers like Shopify. In fact a lot of women I work with have dropped their Shopifys for a commentsold site and have done reasonably well. That concludes my list and I hope this list of dropship clothing vendors helps! Although there are several other drop shippers I think that these five will provide more than enough products and resources to boost your boutique. A couple tips I would suggest is to utilize Tik Tok, Facebook Lives with commentsold and instagram reels. Some of this is obvious stuff and some you will have to look up and learn more on how to capitalize on the marketing features offered to boutiques. And also stay away from China dropshippers, (you can tell they are China when the head's are clipped in the images,) these dropship vendors supply cheap clothing but it doesn't have a label and comes in Chinese bags and wrapping and is a total buzzkill for boutique customers who are shopping with you because they don't want to shop with Amazon. Best of luck! 

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

The Best Month To Start A Boutique

Launching a boutique and becoming successful is based on luck, it requires a strategy laid out months before you're opening doors swing open. Much of that strategy revolves around what month you should open. In this blog we're going to answer that question and provide tips on how to best open your boutique.  The Worst Months In the business we refer to post Holiday months as either death valley or the hangover months. These months are from mid December when Holiday shopping is all but wrapped up and extends through mid February. Retail sales are at an all time low for two reasons; one aforementioned Holiday hangover and the other is the transition months of Winter to Spring trend shopping. Seasonal transitions always cause a bit of a slow down but with the combined Holiday hangover these months make for a death valley of retail sales. Best to avoid launching your boutique in these months but the good news is it gives us an idea when the best month would be to launch. March Means Go Time After the Holiday hangover we now enter into the Spring season. One might think Spring and Summer shopping is the best part of the year but surprisingly for boutiques it's actually Holiday months. But why we want to launch our Boutique in March is because from March to October you have a really long run way to make profits and gather some momentum that you will very much need to make it a second year. Launching on March 1st is no guarantee to a successful boutique or opening but during these weeks shoppers coming off their long layoff of purchasing styles head over to sites and shops to look for some fresh Spring wardrobe for themselves and their children. Back to School Shoppers Back to school represents a major buying moment for shoppers and although school doesn't actually start until July or August Mom's out there sometimes start their shopping as early as March and April when Spring lines are first released. How to Prep For March Your going to get yourself a nice line up of Spring merchandise and you can try heading over to my list of distributors to pick out some you like. Vendors begin to release pre order Spring sometimes around September so you have quite a significant amount of time to shop around for the theme and lines you want to hit your demo with.  If you're starting a brick and mortar you will also need to get yourself set up with a lease, business license and resales license among other things.  Second Best Month to Launch If March doesn't suite your timeline then the second best launch month would be August. The end of August is when Fall lines are released that include all those new cozy pieces that customers are looking for. That concludes this blog and if you have any questions feel free to get a hold of us!

Boutique Blog – by Krystal W

The WAR Against Temu - How Boutiques Can Have A Fighting Chance

How boutiques can have a fighting change against the global mega cheap corporations. - By Anna M.  There's a new name causing significant ripples: Temu. Temu is known for their rock-bottom prices—so low that they reportedly lose billions every year just to undercut competitors like Amazon. And it's working, Temu is fast approaching a 100 billion dollar company.  Chinese online giants like Temu and Shein are undercutting prices in a way that’s dramatically impacting not only Amazon but the entire clothing boutique industry. As they capture a significant market share, many boutique owners find themselves grappling with shrinking sales and a pressing need to redefine their value proposition. The Collapse of the Traditional Boutique Market This isn't the first time the clothing industry has been reshaped by plummeting prices. It wasn't long ago when Big box stores like Macys, Walmart and Target once disrupted the boutique market by offering a wide variety of affordable clothing, drawing customers away from smaller shops. Following them, Amazon, Ebay and other mega online retailers further reduced the role of mom-and-pop boutiques with their vast selections and convenient shopping experiences. Despite these challenges, boutiques have always managed to survive and even thrive by focusing on one critical aspect: the shopping experience. Providing a compelling, personalized experience has kept customers loyal, fostering a connection that large retailers often struggle to replicate. Authenticity: A Boutique’s Secret Weapon Even as Temu and Shein flood the market with cheap fashion, boutiques can still provide customers with a unique experience and a personal touch that most consumers crave. Here are five way that can help boutiques stand apart from mega cheap competitors: Elevate Customer Experience: The authentic personal touch has always been a hallmark of boutique shopping. From personalized styling advice to remembering a customers name and preferences, boutiques offer an experience that can't be matched by Temu and others. Putting the effort into exceptional customer service can turn a casual shopper into a loyal client. This means you need to train your staff to be attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping customers find what they need and bring to life a memorable unique shopping experience for each person that visits your store. Curated Collections: Unlike the cheap China stuff from Temu and Shein, boutiques can focus on specific boutique products that they can't easily find. Game day attire, embellished risky apparel, screen prints and ultra trending jewelry and accessories are things customers can’t find elsewhere that can make your boutique a destination.  Social Media: Utilize platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to connect with your audience. Reels, fit videos, and live videos feeds can showcase your products and draw customers in.  Utilize these platforms to provide styling tips and give customers a peek behind the scenes. Be sure to be consistent with your promotions and live feeds, I prefer to set up a specific schedule so my customers know and look forward to the next launch. Consistent engagement through stories, posts, and interactions with followers will definitely foster a loyal online community that translates into in-store visits and viral posts. Host Events and Workshops: Creating pop up events or online workshops can draw customers to your boutique. These can range from fashion shows and styling sessions to DIY(Do it yourself) workshops. If you give out you will get back. These events are great for the community and will embed yourself for years to come as a staple retailer of the community.  Build an Online Presence: We've talked about that many times on this blog and while real in-person experiences are invaluable, a strong online presence is still essential in today’s market. Make sure your website is visually appealing and welcoming. Offer exclusive online deals that they can't find anywhere and make sure your website tells the story of your boutique, family or your journey.  Innovating for the Future Despite the pressure from cheap retail giants like Temu and Shein, the boutique industry has proven its resilience time and again. Embracing new technologies like Commentsold and social media sites can help keep ahead of others. Make no doubt bout it, the landscape of the retail market will keep evolving, but through all of it strong, personal connection with customers will always be your key to surviving. Let's Learn from the Past Looking back at the evolution of retail, the boutique sector has always faced improbable challenges. When Walmart and Target began to dominate with their fast fashion and affordable clothing lines, many predicted the end for smaller boutiques. However, social media came around and the ability to connect for free with friends and family and share products and services offered a lifeboat to the boutique. Now with Temu and the recent rise of Amazon and other e-commerce giants it seem like the end is again near for physical boutiques. The convenience and breadth of online shopping attracts millions of customers their way yet we are seeing post covid an emergence in brick and mortar sales as customers who have been cooped up in their homes for two years are desiring personal shopping connections. Leveraging Local and Ethical Brands Another significant strategy I see on the horizon for boutiques is to capitalize on the growing consumer interest in sustainability and ethical fashion. China is hell bent on creating cheap clothing with cheap labor and non sustainable practices but shoppers are increasingly concerned about the environmental and ethical implications of their purchases. Boutiques can stand out by offering products from brands that prioritize sustainable practices, fair trade, and ethical sourcing. This not only attracts a dedicated segment of consumers but also builds a brand image centered around social responsibility. Enhancing Your In-Store Experience Creating an authentic and inviting space can significantly boost your boutique. This might involve getting creating and spending some good hours and money on your store layout. Concentrate on sensory experiences such as music and scents. Also antique furniture goes a long way! Providing an environment where customers can relax, explore, and feel valued can transform a simple shopping trip into a cherished experience. Community Engagement Building partnerships with local businesses can also provide a boost. Collaborations with local churches, artists or partnering with coffee shops for events will draw in eager customers and create a sense of community. Engaging with the community not only enhances visibility but also it's just a fun thing to do! Utilizing Technology  Try your best to stay on top of the latest tech that you can add into your boutique.  Tools such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems can help track customer preferences and purchase history.  Additionally, implementing Shopify augmented reality (AR) apps in online stores can allow customers to virtually try on clothes, bridging the gap between online convenience and in-store experience. A little too extreme for you? Just giving examples no need to try them all. In conclusion the retail landscape is and will always be in a constant flux, and while Temu and Shein present some serious challenges with unspeakably low prices and their endless amount of products, boutiques still possess unique value that these giants will never have. Examples of these values are personalized service, curating unique collections, leveraging social media, and hosting in-person engaging events.  The boutique industry has weathered many storms in the past and now is no different. Stay true to your core values and embracing new opportunities and let's keep trucking along! For inquiries reach out to me at anna.buywholesaleclothing@gmail.com

Boutique Blog – by Jolie S

Top 3 Latest Ad Strategies for increasing ROI

Return on your investment is a phrase you will hear a lot in the business world. Let's explore what ROI is and how to achieve it. It's never been more competitive online to create just about any business. As social media has grown and boutiques are looking for cheaper solutions to start a boutique, the market has not been spared by this heightened competition. It's super important to concentrate on ad strategies and getting a profitable return to distance yourself from competitors. When you're talking ads you're also talking ROI. Return on investment or (ROI) is the key term to focus on when creating an ad strategy. It's a simple term that probes whether you are getting a profit on your investment. Let's explore three top strategies to unlock the latest advertising trends and how you can get a profitable ROI. Top 3 Ad Strategies 1. Use Data to Make Smart Decisions Data is super important in advertising. It helps businesses make better decisions and improve their campaigns to get more return on investment (ROI). Here’s how I would use data effectively: a. Use Advanced Analytics Tools: Tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Analytics help you understand how they interact with your ads. Without these details you're truly clueless as to what is generating your sales. These tools can show you who your audience is, track sales conversions and teach you if your ads are profiting. b. Do A/B Testing: This is common lingo I hear from the ad agencies these days. It means comparing two versions of an ad to see which one works better. Perhaps going into an ad you have several ideas and imagery you want to use. What you can do is test all of them by pairing them and executing an A/B testing. This will allow you to eventually deduct which ads and imagery are the best performers.  2. Use Multiple Socials to Reach People Nowadays, you can’t just rely on Facebook or Instagram to reach your audience. People use different platforms if not all of them, so you need to adopt a multi-channel marketing approach. Here’s how: a. Cross-Channel Integration:  Did you know you can post on every social media at one time with one post? That's right, there are several programs and companies that will do this for you. This means coordinating your advertising across different platforms like social media, search engines, email, and display ads to create a consistent brand experience and save a lot of work.  b. Retargeting: This lets you show ads to ladies across different channels after they’ve interacted with your boutique or didn't finish a purchase. Use tracking pixels, cookies, and customer data to deliver personalized ads that match users’ interests, increasing the chances they’ll convert. 3. Make Content Personal and Authentic People don’t like generic ads anymore, they just don't work. They want ads that feel personal and genuine. Here’s how to make your content stand out: a. Segment Your Audience: Group your audience based on their demographics, interests, purchase history, and behavior. Concentrate your messages that address these groups specific needs and preferences. b. Use User-Generated Content (UGC): I love this one. All it means is using content created by your customers. This could be reviews, pictures and social media posts that you can showcase on your socials and site. Try to encourage your customers to share their experiences and use this content in your ads to build trust and credibility. Wrapping It All Up To succeed in today’s digital advertising world, businesses need to use data smartly, advertise across multiple channels, and create personal and authentic content. By doing this, you can grow your boutique business, beat the competition, and achieve long-term success!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Top 5 Ways to Dress Up Your Boutique on A Budget (Updated)

Boutiques are known for their aesthetics and if you feel your boutique could use a reboot we've got you covered with five cost effective strategies. Looking to give your boutique a fresh new look without breaking the bank? Whether you're a seasoned boutique owner or just starting out, creating an inviting atmosphere for your customers is essential for success. Fortunately, you don't need a hefty budget to achieve a stylish and welcoming space.  5 Keys to Dressing Up Your Boutique Here are five tips to help you dress up your boutique on a budget: DIY Decor: DIY (do it yourself) Start those creative juices because if you want to save on my you will need to replace it with creativity and effort.  Utilize your industriousness to create cute handmade signage, wall art, and displays using inexpensive materials that you can pick up at thrift stores or department store. Good materials could include reclaimed wood, fabric scraps, or  cardboard that can be found at your local Home Depot or scrap yard. Pinterest and DIY blogs are treasure troves of inspiration, be sure to use these sites and others to help motivate and guide you. Infuse your personality into your boutique decor and create a memorable shopping experience for your customers. Thrift Store Finds: Thrift shopping or even dumpster diving is the most effective way to get cheap stuff to embellish your boutique. It sounds kind of crazy but with a little bit of creativity you can take one persons trash and turn it into treasure. Good finds from thrifts stores would include oddly designed mirrors or quirky lamps that will turn your customers heads and make them feel like this boutique has something special to offer.  Make Creative Displays: Let's create some amazing clothing displays that won't break the bank. Instead of buying costly pre made display fixtures, try repurposing everyday items like wooden crates, ladders, or even tree branches to showcase your products. Get really playful with your displays, be sure to mix and match textures, heights, and colors to create interest with your customers. By thinking outside the "wooden" box, you can create fabulous displays that highlight your merchandise and entice customers to stay a while! Upcycled Accents: Time to visit grandmas house! Go in search of some vintage suitcases to display your clothing or repurpose mason jars as candle holders. Upcycling is a great way to create charm and personality to your space. Not only does upcycling save money, but it also aligns with the eco-friendly shopping experience that is quite trendy at the moment. Lighting: Lighting can make or break the ambiance of your boutique, so it's essential to get it right. Look for string lights, paper lanterns, or LED candles to create soft and inviting light. Try experimenting with different lighting placements to attract customers to places you want them to go (perhaps the fitting room.) Good lighting is a must in your photography and in your store. Dressing up your boutique is really all about bringing out your creativity and resourcefulness. I'm confident these tips will help you initiate ideas that are laying dormant in your creative minds!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

What is a 3PL?

In this blog we will explore what a 3PL means and how this type of innovative business has been utilized inside the online boutique clothing business. 3PL stands for third party logistics, however this definition doesn't encompass all of the things that a 3PL does in this day and age. 3PL businesses can perform all the following business functions: Warehousing Inventory Management Order Processing Logistics Shipping and receiving Packaging Customer Service Strategy So basically a 3PL is an entire business? We'll not quite, but that's the idea! The point of a 3PL is to help a business by relieving them of any possible business function, leaving them to concentrate on the most important aspects of their business like sales and marketing, which in turn helps to maximize the profits. Why Businesses Use 3PL's 1. Cost savings is a specific feature that the 3PL industry promotes. If you're a boutique that has tremendous overhead (Warehouse, employees, customer service) a 3PL might be able to do all of these aspects of your business at 30-50% cheaper. They are able to do this because they aren't just fulfilling your business operations but dozens of others in a mass/bulk cost savings operation. 2. Rapid growth is a great problem to have as an entrepreneur but being great a sales and marketing is one thing and having the business acumen is another thing. The specialists at a 3PL business can slot themselves in and allow anentrepreneur to focus on continually growing the business while they take care of the business side of it. Companies That Use 3PL 3PL's are used for all types of business but they are ubiquitous in the influencer community where thousands of Youtuber's and Tiktoker's looking to profit off their popularity team up with 3PL companies to help develop, sell and ship merchandise that they promote. Boutiques and 3PL Now that you know all about a 3PL you can probably see how a 3PL company can greatly add value to a boutique by fulfilling just about all the behind-the-scenes business functions while the boutique's concentrate on sourcing styles, social media and other marketing and selling duties. Do You Need To Sell A lot To Work with A 3PL? Not at all, the price of a 3PL cost is proportion to how much you sell and how many duties you want the 3PL to perform for your boutique. You can utilize a 3PL for just inventory management and shipping if you like and in that case you would pay them for the space your merchandise takes up and how many items you would ship. What Are Some Good 3PL Companies? After some research I was able to find four great 3PL companies that I think would best suite a clothing boutique owner looking to outsource some business functionality. Rush Order Uphance Shiphype Shipwizard Is a 3PL Right For You? Every business is uniquely different and there really is no way of knowing wether you would benefit from a 3PL servicer. If you're interested in learning more or discussing wether a 3PL would be right for you feel free to reach out to us by email and we can talk more!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Where Do Boutiques Stand in a World Dominated by Fast Fashion?

The fashion world has consistently become more competitive and difficult to thrive in over the years, especially for boutiques. Probably the largest factor is how much fast fashion has continued to dominate the industry over time. We ask and answer the question on how boutiques can better thrive in this landscape of ever changing trends What is Fast Fashion? The core of fast fashion is to get clothing from design concept to store floors in as little time as possible. With traditional clothing, it can sometimes take close to a year for this process. Whereas in fast fashion, it is a matter of months. While this can seem like a great thing for consumers, it is actually detrimental to the fashion industry and in many other ways.  The major issue with this industry is that the focus is primarily on speed, which greatly takes away from quality. Fast fashion clothing is typically outsourced and produced cheaply in mass quantities to get it out as fast as possible. This leads to labor exploitation and cheaply manufactured clothes that will not last. Unfortunately, long lasting clothing is not even a concern. The idea is that people will simply buy the next round of fast fashion trends.  The Major Players in Fast Fashion Brands There are plenty of fast fashion brands and companies out there. The major players are the ones really influencing the industry and growing it. This includes H&M and Zara, which are the oldest companies operating in fast fashion. It also includes names like GAP, Forever21, Shein, Fashion Nova, and more.  Where Boutiques Stand in Fast Fashion Of course, fast fashion can seem like a difficult industry to compete with for boutique owners. How are boutiques supposed to keep up with major players? Companies who are able to get the newest clothing lines and styles in a matter of months? Not only this, they have the capital to keep rotating their inventory.  These options are often unavailable to boutiques. Fortunately, this in no way means that it’s impossible to thrive as a boutique in this fast fashion world. Boutiques possess benefits that fast fashion does not.  What Boutiques Have Over Fast Fashion While fast fashion has the advantage of cheaper materials and speed, boutiques also have their own merits over the industry.  Boutiques often focus on quality or high end types of clothing, which many people are searching for over fast fashion brands. This puts boutiques in an excellent position. This means potential to be the main source of clothing for those who do not like the fast fashion industry.  Boutiques often find their own niche type or style of clothing that many fast fashion outlets likely don't carry. Many customers are looking for these specific styles, and boutiques should aim to market and connect to these types of people.  Competing with Fast Fashion Brands There are a couple ways that boutiques can capitalize upon the fast fashion attitude. The first of these is to stay up to date and stock clothing trends. While this may not be desirable, it can help bring in customers that will also look at the other wares.  Also, many people may desire trends, but would rather purchase from a smaller business that will provide higher quality clothing. This is a void that boutiques should be ready and willing to fill.  Sustainability is Becoming More of a Concern In the modern era, people are becoming concerned with sustainability in many parts of life, including their clothing.  Customers are getting tired of clothes barely lasting a year or less. This causes them to seek options that lost longer, despite possibly paying a bit more. They want materials that are sourced ethically, without draining the planet of its resources.  As more people move toward sustainability, the more they will begin to shy away from fast fashion. This is not saying that fast fashion is on its way out. However, more people are beginning to consider the implications involved with this industry.  The Bottom Line The bottom line is that fast fashion likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and that doesn't mean boutiques cannot thrive. As long as they work to maintain trends, fill their niche, and provide high quality clothing - there will always be plenty of customers waiting at your doors. Plus, social media is a massive tool that boutiques can use to put themselves in front of their desired audience. It is important to consider fast fashion competition, but boutiques should not let it be the reason they shutdown either.  The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion One of the largest issues in this industry is the environmental impact of fast fashion. It continues to consume large amounts of power to pump out clothing as fast as possible. In turn, this creates large amounts of waste and pollution. Furthermore, many of these items are primarily synthetic, and there is no good way to dispose of or recycle them.  Looking for High Quality Wholesale Options?  It can be tough for smaller boutiques to find wholesale options that are a good fit. This is where we aim to help. Our site is jam-packed with content that can help boutique owners. Whether you’re a boutique owner, or are thinking of becoming one, we help you find high quality wholesale options. We invite you to check out our educational articles and blogs to answer your budding questions. For any further questions, join our mailing list for even more content.

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Why Attending Fashion Shows Can Make You a Better Boutique Owner

Fashion Events are not only a blast to attend they can also be an invaluable resource that a boutique utilizes to flourish. Let's dive into what a Fashion Event Show consists of and which ones to attend. Using Fashion Shows to Enhance Your Boutique Fashion shows are large, collaborated events where multiple designers, vendors, and wholesalers get together. Fashion shows are what you would traditionally think of with a runway. However, there are also trunk shows and conventions with no runway, similar to an expo in a hotel conference room.  For reference, a trunk show is where vendors will have a small inventory stock available for purchase by those who attend the event. Historically inventory has been brought to the show in an actual trunk – hence the name. At any fashion show, designers will display their latest collections. Attendees will even have the opportunity to see collections that have not reached the market yet. Items brought to shows are typically available for sale at wholesale price.  Fashion shows can also bring non-fashion vendors, such as wine or champagne companies. All the promotion between each attendee provides the opportunity for max participation from all communities involved. In addition, every vendor will post the event on their social media and their company’s social media and share details through word of mouth.  Fashion Show Mall The Fashion Show Mall is a shopping mall located on the Las Vegas Strip. It was founded in 1981 and is an estimated 3600 feet from Cesar’s Palace. This mall hosts big-name stores such as Anthropologie, Tiffany and Co., and Nieman Marcus.  The mall is unique from others in the country in that it has a retractable runway in its center. In addition, it hosts free fashion shows often. Shows are Friday thru Sunday from noon until 5 PM, displaying various pieces sold at the mall. Since 2010 (possibly before, given its age and reputation), Fashion Show Mall has had a “first to market” strategy. This simply means it is a place for new brands to debut themselves in Las Vegas. The benefit to this is that Las Vegas has a high population of residents and is always boasting tourism. So you never know who could see your brand or when.  Even better, if you get retail space in this mall, your brand can be featured in the weekly fashion shows. Imagine finally getting that retail dream space, and then boom, your brand is discovered by a person (or people) that can put your name on the maps you wish to be on.  How This Benefits You So, how do all this fashion show and fashion mall talk pertain to you? Knowing about the different events in the fashion community is good to know for attendance purposes. Or, if you cannot attend but know someone who is, you can send your product with them. Then, work a business deal where they showcase, and you give them X amount of the sales from that show or some free outfits? Just an idea!  I digress. It is often said in various places that community is good. Two are better than one, and three cannot be broken apart. The fashion world is no different from this concept. As the idea mentions above, successful businesses require help from others. We are not meant to do life (or business) alone.  Marketing online has multiple benefits in today’s technology-driven world. Everyone is constantly posting on their social media, scrolling the internet, and they have an email address. Additionally, marketing with people in your industry expands that opportunity even more. Networking with others in the fashion industry should be seen as necessary, not competitive. Think of fashion industry networking as having a mentor in the workplace that guides you as you grow as a business owner.  It may be evident that going to fashion shows provides networking opportunities for you between vendors, other boutiques, wholesale opportunities, and mentorship. In addition, some names in fashion have expanded their businesses through networking at these fashion events.  The Takeaway So, what are the takeaways for you as a boutique owner with all this fashion show talk?  One, network! Immerse yourself into the fashion community around you, be it locally, nationally, or globally. The market has space for us all. It is better if we help each other win, I.E., network, and exchange contact information at fashion events. (E.g., trunk shows, fashion shows, or even the Fashion Mall in Las Vegas!)  Two, try new things. What worked in the past may not work now. Or, what works for some may not work for your boutique. We all have different styles and audiences we intend to reach with our brands. No two things are consistently alike. Take ideas from the fashion community around you and see how you can implement them into your own business.  Lastly, do not say “no” to an opportunity. This ties into trying new things. You never know when an opportunity could be the break you have been hoping for in your business. Big or small, starting or having been established for years, take the options presented to you.  Each opportunity is going to teach you something. It will inevitably lead you to the right places because each option will teach you something new.  For example, Amy Hilton Designs got “the big break” from being found online by a local resort. The designer said “yes” to attending a trunk show without having done one before. From that one “yes,” a risky “yes,” I might add, she has a wholesale account with the resort. She also has high-profile and influential clients that loyally follow her brand.  Let's Network! I hope this resonates and encourages you! However, it does not mean your business will bud overnight. Remember, Rome was not built in one day. So take your time networking and trying new opportunities; the rest will flow. For more advice, contact us at Buy Wholesale Clothing!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Why Staying on Top of Fashion Trends is So Essential for Boutique Owners

It’s not always critical for chains and larger retailers to follow these trends, but this is not the case for boutique owners. In fact, staying on top of fashion trends is one of the most important factors in being a successful boutique owner. Continue reading to learn why staying on top of fashion trends as a boutique owner is so essential.  Top Reasons to Stay On Top Of Fashion Trends Following Fashion Trends Will Improve Sales If a boutique is not following fashion trends, then beginning to do so may lead to drastically improved sales. Your boutique’s image may not be based on certain styles, which may mean that you avoid current trends alltogether. While this is understandable, it could be hindering the growth of your boutique.  Following trends does not have to eliminate unique style of boutique. In some cases, you may be able to stick with the general theme, and then follow the trend of current styles. Of course, this will not always be the case. However, carrying some trendy clothing options is still a good idea. It could attract new customers who will come to the boutique for the current trends, but this can also lead them to browse other wares as well.  Follow Trends to Compete with Other Boutiques Realistically, boutiques need to follow fashion trends to some degree in order to succeed - unless they have control over a particular niche which keeps people coming back. If boutiques were to continue to always try to sell the same or similar clothes, they are bound to fail in the long run. When customers come back in to see the same or hardly different items, it tells them that they don’t need to bother coming back. They already know what is there.  In other words, you will quickly begin losing customers to competition that are carrying newer and more relevant inventory. Staying on top of what is popular and having those types of clothing or products will be key to staying relevant in the sea of boutiques. Don’t Completely Change Your Business Model When you adopt trends, it does not mean that you have to remove what you normally sell. This will push away regular customers. The idea is to do both! The current niche and customers will remain the same, but staying on top of fashion trends will help to attract new customers as well. You do not have to cut off your old business inventory and model to grow and embrace trends.  How to Stay on Top of 2022 Fashion Trends If you haven’t tried to stay on top of 2022 fashion trends before, then you may have no idea where to start. Fortunately, there are several great sources that you can look to for what is trending in the industry.  The first and probably most informative of these sources is often social media. Social media will show trending fashion hashtags, reveal what everyone is talking about, and show how popular current trends are. This information can easily be used to figure out how you can apply current 2022 fashion trends to your boutique. This will also inform you about what you need to change. Vogue and other fashion-related magazines can also be great up-to-date source for trends in the fashion world.  If you would like to go more in-depth about tracking trends, then you can even use Google Trends to find out what people are searching for. You can also receive alerts related to these keywords. It is up to you how far in depth you’ll go to stay on top of trends. However, all of the above are great methods to locate current trends.  Use Social Media to Your Advantage As mentioned above, social media is one of the best places to find out the current fashion trends in 2022. Not only this, it is also the best place to promote your offerings and any new trendy inventory.. Social media is one of the most powerful tools that a boutique can use to grow their business. It lets you put yourself and your products in front of a massive audience. It also helps you find the right groups who are interested in what you have.  This is Not Fast Fashion The idea here is not to follow fashion trends in the ways that fast fashion brands do. This is actually impractical. You want to stay on top of trends to see if anything you sell is potentially trending.  You can bring in inventory that aligns with some of the current trends. This does not mean you keep swapping trends in-and-out like fast fashion does. Fast fashion brands tend to sell cheap clothing that does not last long, and this is something you should avoid. You want to continue to maintain high-quality products, with some attention on trends that could bring in an entirely new customer base. High-quality products that will feel fresh for current customers, and new ones-alike.  Looking for Quality Wholesale Options for Your Boutique?  If you are a new boutique, or looking to change your wholesale source, then BuyWholesaleClothing is here to help. We know how difficult it can be to find and choose a trustworthy wholesaler. This is why we put out resources that will make this process easier.  Our goal has always been to help boutique owners find accessible, affordable wholesale options to source their products from. Whether you are just beginning, or are looking to change sources, we hope that we can answer your questions. If you would like to see more from us, you can enter your email on our site and join our mailing list.