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

5 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Boutique

You are enjoying the entrepreneurial way of life. Owning a boutique is exciting, fulfilling, and stressful. It also can cost a substantial investment and takes a while to get your footing and start to see any profit. We’re going to show you a few ways that you may be able to increase your traffic flow and get more sales. 5 Ways to Increase Visitors to Your Store 1. Expand the Wholesale Boutique Items you Sell. Download our Top 5 Wholesale Clothing Sites, to see the clothes they offer, the shipping schedules, and the styles. A hip vendor in California may not have many clothes that your laid-back moms in Arkansas wear. Find the vendors that will work best with you and your clients. Then broaden your base a little. One of the best ways to increase traffic to your boutique is to have items that appeal to a broader base. You want your boutique to serve any potential buyer, but no one has enough room for that. Find your market, then stretch the edges a little. You can always purchase from another boutique if you need that item. That’s one of the reasons you want to make friends with other boutique owners. Unlike the big box stores that compete against each other, boutique owners love to help one another.    Fashion Shows are a great way to preview wholesale boutique items from different vendors. It’s also a great opportunity to travel with the girls and have some fun. You can check our List of Upcoming Fashion Shows to see what events interest you.   2. Starting an Online Boutique the Right Way. When looking for a way to increase foot traffic and sales for your boutique, a great way is to set it up online. You have already done all of the complicated parts to open this boutique. You can bring your items online at your pace, and increase your inventory at a pace that works for you.  The main things are these: An online store: like Shopify, Amazon, or one of the others Website if you do not already have one Facebook or Pinterest for posting pictures A good system for keeping up with inventory   3. Add Other Items For Sale If you are currently selling only women’s clothing, consider adding other wholesale boutique items. Shoes, jewelry, children’s clothes, and household items have proven to be traffic builders for some boutiques. The first thing to consider is how much room you can dedicate to one of these lines. Listen to comments your guests are making when in your boutique. Are they asking if you have jewelry? Or carry shoes? Listen to what they want from you, and see if you can add it. A glass case beautifully designed with sparkling jewelry is a real attention-getter. You cannot just base the value on how much jewelry sells out of this case. Also, look at the number of visits it increases to your boutique each day to look at the case. Then they may purchase other items while they are in the boutique.    4. Taking Marketing to the Max Most shop marketing has been done in print and only for certain occasions because it was so expensive. Now we can share concepts with the people that need them. Many people cannot look at a pair of pants and visualize the shirts that could go with them. Design that outfit for them. Try several different tops with that fantastic pair of pants you have for sale. If you can add shoes, purses, and jewelry, it will be appealing. If you don’t have models to use, be creative. Devise a way to hang them together, lay them on the floor, or in a glass case. Take several pictures, then select the best. Post them on Facebook & your website with a catchy title. Encourage sharing of the images to increase views. When starting your online boutique, be sure these images are on it. Beautiful jewelry photographs well. Develop a posting schedule and try to follow it. Don’t try to post every day, that’s too big of a commitment. Give yourself a little leeway and try once a week. If you can exceed that, it is a bonus.   5. Membership Program  Initiate a Membership Program for your current clients. Tell them they will receive advance notifications of sales, promotions, and deals. Make it easy to sign up, either a simple sign-up sheet at the counter or entry at check out. The CMS needs to be able to track this member’s purchases by E-mail address. This can give you reporting to assist you in your product tracking. You can do a mass e-mail to your members asking what products they would like to see added. Also, quiz them for suggestions and issues. This is a great way to get feedback from your clients. Read and consider the comments, don’t just ask for them then ignore them.  Along with your Membership Program, you may also want to initiate a Referral Program. Offer a 10% or so discount on the next purchase after a client makes a referral. The best program gives a discount to the referrer and one to the new client. The new client receives a discount on their initial purchase. The referring client receives a 10% discount on their next purchase. If a total of 20% is scary, give 5% to each. The point is too bring in participants so it must be enough to appeal to clients. Establish a way for this to be implemented. The least appealing would be that they have to come together for that initial purchase. This would be extremely difficult as your online business grows.    This brings to our attention again that you need a good CMS. You need a version that will perform the things you need it to do. You may have purchased a simple system, to begin with. Starting an online boutique may indicate you have to consider a step up to get everything you now need. If you use the features, this investment will pay off. We hope this information will be useful as you try to increase the traffic to your boutique. See us at Buy Wholesale Clothing for more information.  

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 Krystal W

Avoid the Summer Slump and Increase Sales

For most retailers, the summer season can lead to a noticeable dip in customer foot traffic and online sales. To beat any summer slowdown, the first step needed is to understand your customer trends during this season, such as when they typically plan vacations, attend outdoor events, or refresh their summer wardrobes. While summer sales typically dip, warm weather can also offer opportunities to capture the excitement of the season and align products with customer desires. Savvy retailers use the season to strategically boost sales and increase customer loyalty, so toward that goal, let’s discuss proven strategies that can bolster sales and avoid any retail summer blues! Create Summer-Themed Promotions Capitalize on the season by crafting sales around summer themes. Get creative and go beyond the typical 4th of July sales; like “Backyard BBQ Essentials” or “Vacay Must-Haves” to tap into your customers’ mindset and make your offerings irresistible. Below are more suggestions to jump start your creative ideas. Themed Flash Sales Organize flash sales that last for a limited time (i.e., 24 or 48 hours) that revolve around fun summer themes. For example, “Beach Day Essentials” offering items like sunglasses, hats and flip-flops, or a “Summer Nights” sale with lightweight jackets, scarves, and jewelry for cooler evenings. Promote these items on social media with graphics and countdowns to create urgency. Sunset Happy Hours Increase foot traffic by hosting a “Sunset Happy Hour” sales events in the late afternoon or early evening. Offer exclusive discounts and enhance the shopping experience with light refreshments and summer-themed music. This can create a festive shopping atmosphere that encourages customers to shop and enjoy.  Summer Scavenger Hunt Organize a scavenger hunt either in-store or digitally via your social media platforms. In-store, hide symbols or items around your shop that customers can find to unlock discounts. For a digital version, create clues that guide customers through your website to discover hidden discount codes. Beat-The-Heat Discounts Offer dynamic discounts that change based on the temperature, such as setting the discount percentage equivalent to the day’s highest temperature (e.g., 85 degrees = 85% off selected items). Promote this sale heavily on days when the weather forecast predicts hot temperatures to drive traffic to your store during heatwaves. VIP Shopping Nights Host an exclusive after-hours shopping event for top customers, complete with personal styling and previews of new arrivals. Enhance the atmosphere with a summer theme, like tropical decor and refreshments to make customers feel appreciated and pampered. This is also a good time to gather feedback on your products and services directly from your best customers. Charity Support Sales Connect your summer sale with a cause. Choose a charity to support and advertise that a portion of every sale during a specific period will go to that charity. This can incentivize purchases and connect your brand with social/community good. Consider offering products that align with a charity’s mission or host a day where representatives from the charity can attend to talk about their work. Leverage Local Events Summer is packed with local festivals, markets, and community gatherings. Participate in these events to maintain visibility and attract new customers. You can set up a pop-up shop, kiosk, sponsor a booth, or partner with event organizers. This not only boosts your summer sales but can enhance your community presence to increase brand awareness. Host In-Store Events Organize in-store events such as styling sessions, summer fashion shows, or a meet-the-maker day with local artisans whose products you carry. Events are excellent for building community and giving people a reason to visit your store. Offering a special discount during the event can also convert attendees into buyers. Boost Your Online Presence It is imperative to optimize your store’s online presence, maintain an updated online inventory, and implement digital advertising strategies to reach your targeted customers. Engaging content that resonates with summer activities or preferences, shared across your social media platforms, can also drive online traffic and sales. Try re-merchandising your website a bit with a new homepage or cart layout. Offer Seasonal Loyalty Rewards Encourage repeat business through a summer loyalty program. Offer rewards that are seasonally appropriate and potentially quicker to attain, such as “Buy three, get your fourth summer essential at 50% off.” Make sure the rewards are tempting enough to bring customers back into your store multiple times throughout the summer. Partner with Other Local Businesses Team up with nearby businesses to cross-promote each other’s offerings. For instance, a collaboration with a local ice cream or home goods shop could involve offering discount vouchers to each other’s stores. These partnerships help widen your reach and attract a diverse array of customers. Re-Merchandise Your Store Refreshing your store layout can dramatically increase interest and sales. Move your merchandise around to highlight different items and create new displays that draw attention to products that might have been overlooked. Online, consider updating product categories and feature items on your homepage that are particularly suitable for summer or any current promotions. Do not underestimate the power of re-merchandising! Re-Style and Re-Shoot Products That Aren’t Selling If certain items aren’t moving, they might just need a new context. Restyle them in a summer setting, paired with best-sellers or seasonal items, and shoot new photos for your online and physical marketing materials. Fresh images can reignite interest and help customers see these products in a new light, potentially boosting their appeal. While most tourist and hospitality industries see a boon in sales during the summer, online stores and traditional retail typically experience a “cooling” of sales as temperatures heat up. This slump is mostly due to shoppers choosing to spend their money on trips, outdoor concerts, and sporting events, just to name a few.  But this retail slump does not have to be the status quo. Smart retailers cash in on the tourism spending this time of year, while still marketing to local customers. Whether your business is online or also has brick-and-mortar locations, taking advantage of the summer season with sales-boosting strategies can make the difference between reaping summer sales or experiencing the summer blues. So don’t delay, let the creative process begin!

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Boutique Fashion Expos You Can't Miss

One of the hardest jobs in the country is being a boutique owner and surviving the high-turnover market of the industry. This blog will detail which boutique shows to attend and why they are so important to success in this industry.   Why Are Shows Still Important? Fashion expos/shows selling wholesale clothing and accessories were once the primary method for any boutique owner looking to experience new trends and calendar shop for their store. Much of the purchasing these days is done not at expos but at online sites like Fashiongo, Faire and Bloom. However, with the economic downturn upon us and more than half of the boutique industry collapsed, the durable boutique's left standings all have one thing in common, they all attend the shows. That's because the shows offer an edge that shopping online does not, in fact several of them, including:  First access to emerging trends and a comprehensive look at the upcoming season. Access to important figures that run labels including owners and managers who can delivery personalized prices and discounts. Accessing information from other successful boutiques positioned all through out the country, each with their own way of surviving and finding success. Best Shows to Attend In the last decade many new shows have emerged and this has caused a riff with vendors and manufacturers and they've become selective about which shows to attend. Attending a show is not cheap it can cost upward of $700 for flights and $1000 for hotels so picking a good show is important.  Below are the following shows that provide the best value for today: Dallas Market Center The Dallas show is one of the longest standing shows in the country and offers a boutique owner the ability to view every manufacturer in the country in a small confined space on the 12th floor of the Dallas Mark Center.  Dallas is a clean city with many hotels and good prices, which makes walking to the show very easy. If your primary purpose is to visit the Dallas Market Apparel show you also have the added benefit of visiting the other 15 floors where many other wholesale manufacturers host their merchandise.  Dallas is the premier show for mid-west and southern clothing, if you are located in any states between Texas and Florida, this is the show for you. Magic by UBM in Vegas This is the largest show in the country and contains the most vendors of any expo.  Going to Las Vegas speaks for itself when considering the fun experience you have when attending this show, but fun aside this is truly the most premier show of all of them.  Located at the Las Vegas Convention Center, this sprawling complex allows the vendors to display all of their upcoming season line in a custom showcased booth. Magic does a great job hosting a line up of events and superstar guests that teach and inspire all things boutique fashion. Flying out to Vegas for this event is more than worth it because of the various shows that all occur at the same time.  Almost a dozen shows from cheap Off price goods to high fashion designers are hosted in various different expos in the same week. If your interested in attending a show and taking very serious this awe-inspiring tool that is offered in our industry, I would recommend these two fantastic expos to start.

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

Boutique Owner Dos and Don'ts

You dream of owning a fancy boutique. Selling women’s clothes, jewelry, shoes, maybe children’s clothes. You spend every Saturday visiting shops. Private label boutiques, wholesale boutiques, consignment boutiques, and shoe sales. You have already accumulated a fairly large inventory, and boutique ownership feels within reach. Here are a few Do’s and Don’t that you need to be sure you have worked out before you leap. Dos and Don'ts   DO: Find reliable wholesale suppliers to work with.  Wholesale Clothing Sites is our list of some supplies to use. DONT: Make supplier decisions based solely on pricing.   How Much Does a Boutique Owner Make? ZipRecruiter reports that the average annual Online Boutique Owner salary ranges from  $17,000 to $53,500. If you are also opening a brick-and-mortar store, you have much more potential income and expenses. Some reports indicate those earnings may be up to $100,000. But that will not happen the first year. Get enough financing to get you through the first year without making a profit. This also means without you getting paid as you will roll every extra dollar back into the business.   DO: Make realistic projections for sales and income DON’T: Expect to get rich the first year.   How to Become a Boutique Owner Succeeding as a boutique owner takes style, heart, dedication, and brains. It also takes money.  The initial investment varies greatly depending on the type of boutique you want to own. The location, initial inventory, and items you carry also affect your initial need. Comparative shop online so you can use legitimate prices and not guesses for the things you want. If you underprice your needs, you will not have enough money to accomplish your goals. If you overprice, you will be paying far too much in interest.   DO: Be realistic about the funds you will need to start up  and stay operational for the first 6 to 12 months.  See 5 Things Before You Start a Boutique. DON’T: Try to start up the business with less money than you know you will  need. Inadequate funding will cause underfunding in  marketing and other key areas.   1. Find the Gap, Make it Your Niche. Have you thought you would have done things differently at some of the boutiques you visited? You have a talent for coordinating outfits or matching costume jewelry with clothes. You need to identify the market holes around your business area and find a way to fill the gaps. You have to be able to do something better, fresher, faster, or cheaper than everyone else. Priced lower is not going to get you rich quickly. If a customer has been buying from one shop, they are not coming to you just to save $1. But if you can match up the shirt and pants, which surprisingly many women cannot do well, that will get you, clients. But you have to show that you can do that. Beautifully styled mannequins in your boutique or clear bright images online will show off your talents.   2. Give Your Business the Perfect Name, and Logo.  Think long and hard about the name you want for your business, Don’t feel you have to name every item you sell or every thought you’ve had. Keep it short and catchy. But make sure it says what you want to say. Then turn to your logo. Find a background or image you love. You need to be in love with your name and logo. It is worth paying a graphic designer to get this right.   3. Scout Your Location. Start looking at storefronts, available shops, and rental properties in the area you want to open. Check square footage prices. How much room will you need to do what you want to do? How much square footage will you have to have to start? Don’t forget storage areas, changing rooms, restrooms, and dead corners. You will need this information for your Business Plan also.   4. Develop Your Products, Lines, and Policies.  This is when you get into the specifics of the products you intend to have In your boutique or online. Narrow down the lines you plan to have, the quantities of each type, and how many will be on the floor simultaneously. Establish your system for pricing items. Cost x2 or whatever multiplier you intend to use. Include information about what happens when products do not sell. Is there a discount schedule, are they resold in bulk, or do they get donated?   5. Write, Edit, and Perfect Your Business Plan.  If you are going to approach a business lending organization, you are going to need a business plan. Even if you are using private funding, it is a good idea to have a business plan written out. There are a variety of templates online to choose from. It does not have to be complicated, but it needs to be a true representation of your projections. When indicating how much the boutique owner will make, it is realistic to put $0 for the first 12 mo. The financer will ask you if there are things they consider important that you did not include.   As you think about how you are going to become a boutique owner, learn all you can. Research the property in the area, find out about the product costs, and your location options. See our additional tips at buywholesaleclothing.org. The most important thing is to stay creative and stay dedicated. If you know you can succeed, find a way to do it.  

Boutique Blog – by Krystal W

Five Tips to Increase Profit Margins with Accessories

JA major factor in running a fashion boutique is having a profit margin strategy. It should come as no surprise that to build a successful and profitable store, margins are key. A rule of thumb for profit margin is a 2x markup over the wholesale cost of your apparel, but that’s not always easy to maintain consistently. Accessories are expected to be one of the healthiest segments in fashion sales by 2025 and make up 12.3% of consumer purchases. Jewelry is expected to make up a whopping 20.9%! Consumers are attracted to accessories for a variety of reasons. For one, a new statement necklace or seasonal scarf is less likely to break your bank than a pair of designer jeans. Smart retailers use the versatility of accessories to increase their total store sales, so this blog discusses five tips on creating a recipe for selling success in your store. 1.      Use Social Media and Shoppable Content Social media plays an integral role in selling accessories. That’s hardly surprising given the role of our smartphones in our daily lives. Some 62% of consumers watch videos to learn about a product before they buy. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram also drive sales and allow shoppers to visualize the product on a real person. But social media is no longer a place for shoppers to just learn about new fashion trends; it’s also a place for shoppers to buy as they learn, through in-app, integrated shopping experiences. This shortens the line between influencer product promotion and an actual purchase, right inside the apps where customers are already engaged, such as Instagram, TikTok Shop, Meta, buyable pins on Pinterest and more.  2.      Offering Something for Everyone No one knows your customers better than you, so aim to please when it comes to offering customers what they want and need. Stocking classic accessories like cubic zirconia earring studs or black satchels can help keep accessory sales steady. However, trendy pieces each season are important for most merchants to reach their sales goals Some analysts have predicted a surge in consumer spending, particularly in luxury and high value items. More expensive jewelry and handbags could be the money maker for your store in 2025 and beyond. So, variety is vital here, as you want to offer items that will keep your customers engaged. Aim to provide enough assortment that customers look forward to returning again and again, always curious as to what they will discover next. 3.      Merchandise Accessories With Sales in Mind Many merchants overlook the value of a sales-driven merchandising strategy. One way you can do this is to include accessories in all store displays. Layer clothing with accessories both on hangers and on mannequins to create outfit displays that inspire your customers – encouraging them to buy accessories along with their planned apparel purchases. Another way to incorporate more accessories into your store is to display them within easy-to-reach, easy-to-touch locations. If you have an online store only, you can still apply these tips by styling your apparel products with the accessories you carry and offer.  4.      Boosting Impulse Purchases Accessories are often impulse buys. When a customer is shopping for clothing, they may also grab a matching pair of earrings, a stylish bag, or a trendy hat. Adding impulse items to your store creates an environment where customers feel encouraged to purchase more than just the items they initially intended. These small add-ons can substantially increase your total sales volume. Moreover, accessories are generally easy to display, making them perfect for in-store as well as placements and styling on your online store that prompt quick decisions from customers. 5.      Price Fashion Accessories to Sell Start by buying inventory that lowers your price point, meaning purchase fashion accessories at a price that yields high margins. According to experts, there is no set rule for pricing boutique merchandise, but most small retailers use a 50% markup strategy. This is the standard, which means that the wholesale cost of an item is doubled. For example, if you’ve purchased a wholesale bag for $25, you can sell it at retail cost of $50.  Using a variety of vendors can also help you gain higher markups – including vendors with wholesale price points of less than $2, $3 and even $5. The best part, however, is that you can retail these items for 400% percent or more! With margins like this, your sales are bound to soar. Take into consideration overhead expenses such as wages and rent, the quality of the merchandise, and what your competitors are charging.  Convinced, but not sure where to start? You can google “accessory wholesalers,” and a countless number of resources will be at your fingertips. But a personal favorite or ours is Faire, who offers a wide variety of quality, women’s accessories and jewelry. You can also opt for in-person fashion shows like Dallas Apparel, Magic and Off-Price. For a full list of our top picks, check out the blog Top Fashion Shows.     In the fast-paced world of retail, finding the right wholesale accessories can be the key to boosting sales and staying ahead of the competition. Whether you run a boutique, an online store, or a specialty shop, purchasing accessories in bulk offers a cost-effective way to maximize profits while providing customers with in-demand products. So don't delay, jump in, have fun, and don't forget to research trends! 

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 Anna M

How I Quit My Job and Started A Boutique

If you've had enough of your boring 9-5 and you want to own your own business, this blog will provide everything it took for me to be a successful boutique owner. I will also unveil the most essential tip to launching your boutique. At 24 years old and having finished college I immediately paused my career path of being a teacher and gave a try at my true passion, fashion and clothing.  I began by attempting to create my own boutique but just after a year I was fresh out of cash and had to close. 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 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 should be run. Some of that knowledge includes the seven crucial tools and the all important #1 tip which we will touch on shortly. First, if you are new, let's begin with the basics starting with step one on how to launch your boutique. (skip this part if you just want the tips) First 6 Steps to Create a Boutique 1.) 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.   2.) 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) 3.) 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. 5.) 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. 6.) 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.   Now let's dive deeper into seven crucial 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 Crucial Tools 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 Most Important Tip Ever! - "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 Trend? 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 Jolie S

How To Start a A Boutique While Avoiding The Big 5 Mistakes

Below are the 5 EASY STEPS and 5 MISTAKES WHEN STARTING AN ONLINE BOUTIQUE  The boutique industry is flying! With an ever expanding tool set at the disposal of ambitious bright women, the boutique market has never looked better. Let's dive into some simple steps on how to start an online boutique.  5 Easy Steps To Create A Boutique Step 1 - Boutique Name and Logo Easily the funnest and simplest part of starting a boutique! If you don't already have a boutique name and need creative inspiration, try this boutique name generator Should I trade mark my boutique name? I would worry about that. Unless you choose a name like Forever 21 or Anthropologie, no one will be sending you a cease and desist letter anytime soon. However if you're still interested, head over to USPTO to learn some basics about trademarking. The right logo can do wonders, it can either legitimize your boutique or turn away potential customers. I would not advise whipping Microsoft paint and trying this yourself, rather head over to a site like Tailor Brands or Logo and they can make one fairly easy at a good price.  Step 2 - Incorporation and Permits To legitimize your boutique business you will need to register with state and federal agencies.  Start with this federal crash course by Legal Zoom on the differences between Corporations and LLC's. Almost all boutiques and small business register as an LLC and later become corporations if they grow in size.  You can register as a LLC here so you can start paying those taxes! You will also need to collect State sales tax, you will keep track of this and pony it over to the government come tax season. Each state has different ways of applying for a sales tax permit, a simple google search inclusive with your state will locate where you can register. Step 3 - Website Provider Building a website has never been easier with Shopify. Likely Shopify is already a familiar name and for good reason, it dominates the web hosting industry.  A long with being affordable and easy, Shopify has the most comprehensive application marketplace of any web provider. Why do I need apps? Apps or applications, allow you to integrate cutting edge technology that was once only reserved for legacy companies like Sears, Target and Forever 21. Shopify apps like Synclogic, can sync your Shopify website with drop shippers, allowing you to instantly upload products and sell right away. Shopify has easy integrations with companies like Comment Sold, a boutique accessory that can facilitate a professional consumer shopping experience on Facebook. If you already have a boutique name see if your domain is available on Shopify. Step 4 - Launching Your Social Media Channels If you want to make a dent in the online boutique market you will need to employ the use of social media to its fullest extent. Luckily you are probably on your way to becoming an expert on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, but here are some things to take note of: Facebook Live allows you to connect with your customers and a QVC like fashion. Showcase samples and sell product in a unique way. Utilizing Instagram hash tags can bring in a daily audience for free. Building a strong following with hash tags can be the equivalent of a $5,000/month google ad words budget. Connecting your Shopify site with social media can act as a megaphone sending out the showcase of new items as you list them. Step 5 - Ordering Wholesale Products There is no need to fly around the country attending fashion expos in order to purchase wholesale clothing. Today any item you could ever need to purchase is a click away. I have already gone into detail here on my preferred wholesalers like Bloom Wholesale, Fashiongo and Faire but I also want to make sure everyone knows the importance of attending at least one yearly in-person expo. Especially if you are just starting out, attending a fashion expo is enormously resourceful. You cannot put a price on the education you get connecting with successful boutiques in a three day meet-and-greet. You can find a fashion show near you by looking here.  But why spend your own money on purchasing clothing. Drop shipping wasn't always a viable option, it was once reserved for Amazon and Ebay sellers, but these days companies like Bloom Drop Ship and Boutique Tree (view complete list here) have changed the game. By providing boutique life style images, on point trends and mom and pop customer service, drop shippers have made making an online clothing boutique simpler than ever. If you're low on start up capital or just like the idea drop shipping, I fully support exploring this option. 5 COMMON BOUTIQUE MISTAKES   Mistake 1 - COPYCATTING There are currently over ten thousand boutiques in existence in the continental U.S. What are you going to provide that others can't? What void can you fill and how can you start to understand what your local retail market needs?  These are all questions that you need ponder as you begin to blaze your unique trail. Copycatting can only get you so far. Mistake 2 - POSTING JUST TO POST Developing a rhythm and schedule is one thing, but if your daily positing isn't packed with creativity and personalizations you are bound to lose grip on any followers you may have. Customers time is precious to them and if you want some of that head space you need to create engaging content. Mistake 3 - LOSING TRACK OF FINANCIALS You might wish you listened more in Econ class, but even if you didn't ace your business class we can all be successful entrepreneurs by making sure our primary focus is always on the bottom line.  Keeping track of your finances coincides with the most important thing I can tell you, "stay alive." What I mean by that is no matter what happens and how your first year or two develops, the key is to learn, grow and stay a float.  EVERY boutique I know that found success did not do so until years after their inception. Mistake 4 - DON'T PRICE TOO HIGH, WAIT..OR IS IT TO LOW? Pricing is key in both developing a trusting relationship with your customers and being competitive. There is no one size fits all pricing strategy for every boutique. You can find success in pricing ultra low or above average, the key is to determine what void in your market there is to exploit. The type of clothing you want to sell helps determine the price, be it fast fashion or high fashion there are already standard market prices you can work off by viewing competitors.  My personal suggestion is to price low but not dumpster dive low.  Everyone always loves a good deal. Mistake 5 - NOT ASKING FOR HELP I could say this another way which is don't be too confident or think the road to success will be easy. Not only will you need others suggestions and support but you're not going to be successful without it.   On my first business venture I literally had my Step Father, Mom and Wife all helping me with drive runs to the post office, answering emails and helping me pack. I simply couldn't have done it without them. Fortunately I was able to pay them back later in some amazing clothes :) That concludes my hot list of suggestions and tips on how to start an online boutique. If you ever have any other questions feel free to leave me an email at  anna.buywholesaleclothing@gmail.com Best of luck! -Anna

Boutique Blog – by Anna M

LA's Best Wholesale Clothing Vendors for Your Boutique!

As a former boutique owner myself, I have been there, trudging through what seems is an endless amount of online vendors that either don't have the styles your looking for, the low prices or the quick shipping you will need to run a strong boutique business. Even google, who usually does a great job will populate half of its search results with business that aren't even located in the USA (common google, get your stuff together.)  Fortunately you've landed at the right spot and below I am going to curate a list of clothing boutique vendors that will provide you with the most important tool to be a successful boutique, great clothes. Terminology To Help You Understand the Market There are several suppliers that offer clothing and those include: wholesale distributors, manufacturers, drop shippers and wholesale showrooms. Let's go through each Wholesale Distributor: Distributors provide clothing sourced from other manufacturers. Distributors could be referred to as middle men. You might think these companies simply get a cut of the action by offering higher price goods, but this isn't always the case. Distributors offer unique benefits, like consolidating multiple brands in one shipment and offering cheaper clothing that they liquidate from clothing vendors. Only these sites seem to be the companies offering these unique lucrative deals. Manufacturers: Manufacturers or brands are the businesses that design and produce clothing.  Drop Shippers: Drop Shippers are specialized companies that purchase from brands a large amount of inventory and then ship these individually to your customers. Drop shipping has come a long way in the last ten years and offers an incredible opportunity to build a boutique with little to no capital.  Wholesale Showrooms: Have you ever attended a clothing show and walked the long aisles of brands soliciting their newest designs? Well that's what a wholesale showroom is but virtually. These companies and sites offer a place for boutique owners to view and purchase directly from all of their favorite vendors on one site. Top Ten Boutique Wholesalers 1.  Bloom Wholesale Bloom Wholesale is hidden gem. I friend told me about this site years ago as a place to find really great deals. Not only do they have some great finds but they ship fast and their shipping is capped at $9.95 for all shipments and orders.  Bloom is interesting in that they are one of only a couple companies that provide closeout deals. The bulk closeouts prices can be as low as $7.00.  Drop shipping is another service they provide, with drop shipping you can grab their pictures, sell the items and have Bloom ship them out.    2.  Mio Wholesale   Mio falls under the classification as a Distributor. Mio has been around for over a decade and their successful longevity speaks volumes to their great service.  The things I like about Mio Wholesale is you can get a lot of great brands and consolidate the shipping in one order, this will save you a lot of money and time. They only work with quality boutique brands and have great customer service. Price is moderate and discount codes are not offered. You get what you pay for with Mio and if you want to be sure to have a quality product for your boutique this is a great vendor.   3. Judson & Company   Judson & Company is family run manufacturer out of Alabama. They have been around since 1989 and they might hold the crown for the older manufacturer in our boutique industry.  I love Judson, they concentrate on all things accessories from hats, jewelry, scarfs, kimonos, bracelets, screen prints to some clothing. If your a boutique not maximizing sales with accessories then you aren't doing it right.  Their warehouse is in Alabama, so that central location means they can deliver wholesale items to your boutique sometimes within 1- 2 days! If you plan on brining in accessories to your boutique definitely give Judson a look.   4. Wishlist Wishlist Apparel is a young women’s contemporary manufacturer that specializes in staple classics. If there is a league of boutique brands, Wishlist might just reign supreme. They are one of the top brands in the boutique market and you can chalk this up to two reasons, quality and price.  Wishlist makes the top 10 list as the only wholesale brand  not because of special discounts, amazing customer service or any other perk but solely because their quality and trends are top notch.   5. KatydidWholesale   Katydid landed the last top five spot because they are an easy-to-work-with company that delivers great quality boutique clothing. Hear from them in their own words   "The apparel we offer is made for beautiful women who love to live life to the fullest. With so many styles at Katydid Wholesale, there’s something for everyone! We have the best women’s clothing for retail stores and boutiques of all sizes. Our women’s clothes and accessories are the perfect addition to help your customers fall in love with your store!"    6. Fashiongo FashionGo is likely the first virtual wholesale showroom to exist.  You might have seen FashionGo at a fashion event show or boutique gathering, they have a new partnership with the Magic show fashion event that makes them ubiquitous in the wholesale clothing world.  FashionGo is a marketplace that hosts thousands of individual wholesale vendors, brand and distributors. Since FashionGo is a one stop shop for everything what would be a reason not to shop with them?  Prices Prices can be higher shopping through FashionGo rather then going direct because of the commission fee's Fashiongo charges its vendors to use the website. Unless you go direct, there will always be a middle man :)   7. LA Showroom Like, LA Showroom is a wholesale marketplace that specializes in offering a huge assortment of wholesale clothing and accessories. They claim to also be one of the first wholesale marketplaces, so if anything we have them to thank for helping to radically transform the wholesale boutique industry. If you would like to register with any wholesale showroom is worth noting that you will need a business license, sellers permit and previous invoices with brands. Once you have all of that in place you can scroll through the endless pages of wholesale clothing vendors and distributors that will supply your boutique with more then enough goods to stock your shop.  Like Fashiongo, LA Showroom has commission fees charges to its vendors.    8. Faire The new girl on the block is Faire. This company is making waves in the wholesale boutique clothing marketplace by being the first site to offer 60 day terms. Their goal is to give the small boutique owner all of the same competitive advantages that a big box store like Walmart and Ross has.  Sounds great! But Faire has yet to convince and migrate a majority of the top USA wholesale brands and distributors to use its platform. The reason is simple, high commission fees. Faire has a high vendor commission fee. The cost of providing those wonderful benefits like 60 day terms for the boutique means the vendors have to raise their prices and thus you will pay more for the same clothing found on other platforms like Bloom or FashionGo. As it stands Faire has a large selection of wholesale clothing vendors and time will tell if their bet on 60 day terms is one that boutiques desire.     9. Wholesalecentral At Buywholesaleclothing my list of vendors and distributors is curated and condensed but if you're ever curious to see the whole list of wholesale vendors, Wholesalecentral has that for you. Wholesalecentral likely has every wholesale clothing and accessories provider in the world.  Not only can you browse the endless lists of wholesale suppliers but they do a great job of listing all minor and major fashion gatherings in the USA. In their words "Wholesale Central provides premium sourcing tools that help wholesale buyers find wholesale suppliers and products."   10. Orangeshine  Orangeshine is another great wholesale showroom on the market. It does everything right from attracting wholesale vendors and distributors with low commission fee's and provides an easy-to-use layout for easy boutique purchasing. There was a time when Orangeshine was my go-to wholesale marketplace because of its consolidated shipping. This was a great perk that only they offered but have since discontinued this great resource.  Why might you choose Orangeshine over FashionGo and others? This is their pitch.  "From an online marketplace with exponentially growing number of registered users, new users and purchases to professionally photographed product images while providing full customer service and order processing for buyers, we have everything you need to get your foot into the booming online business with minimal effort and costs."    Advice on utilizing online wholesale boutique sites There was a time not too long ago when everyone did their purchasing at fashion shows like Magic and the Off Price Show.  These shows still exist today but the advent of online wholesale shopping has made them somewhat obsolete for many.  With that said I always implore my ladies to go to at least one clothing expo a year and here is why. Attending a fashion show isn't really about purchasing clothing and perhaps it never was, its more about building connections and establishing relationships with not only the brands but also other boutique owners.  These invaluable relationships offer the support and advice you will need if you want to make it in this business.   

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 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 it's 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 than denim thus it 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 year's 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 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 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

Turn $100 into a $1,000,000 Dollar Boutique

Is it really possible to turn a small investment into a thriving million dollar boutique? Of course it is! For starters I did it myself and in fact, the majority of small boutique businesses start with virtually nothing. Let's explore how you can do the same.  The Principle of Turnover Before we get into specific boutique clothing details I would just like to point out the notion behind taking a small investment and turning it into much much more. The principle is called capital turnover, this is how it looks: Spend $100 on inventory, sell for a profit of $100, total = $200 Reinvest $200 on inventory, sell for a profit of $200, total = $400 Reinvest $400 on inventory, sell for a profit of $400, total = $800 Reinvest $800 on inventory, sell for a profit of $800, total = $1600 Ok, you get the point, like a snowball, each time you reinvest your capital into inventory and successfully sell that product, you double your investment. Once you find a working business equation you repeat the process for as long as you can. Now let's dive into three things you can do as an entrepreneur to get rolling. 1. Pouncing on Emerging Trends The clothing boutique industry is a tough market and something that can make it easier to emerge in is pouncing on a new trend. Take for example the rise of TikTok. Had you been on TikTok from the beginning, building a following with creative content and unrelenting passion you could have built a worthy audience perfect for selling too.  Once you begin to infuse capital and appealing merchandise to potential customers naturally sales would begin to generate and suddenly the ball gets rolling.  In fact what you do next is really the easy part! Building a Shopify store, exploring and buying more merchandise, negotiating better rates, etc.  The most difficult thing in business is creating an audience and had you been on TikTok from the beginning with a committed and strategic plan you would be rolling right now. Tiktok is just one emerging trend in recent years, here are several others to illuminate the point: Drop Shipping Facebook/Insta Live Sales Flash Sales Capitalizing on emerging trends is listed #1 for a reason, every prominent boutique that exists today became huge off of this technique.  This technique also requires discipline because if a strong trend and potentially a solid economy is not on your side then you need to be patient and wait possibly another season or year until such emerges.  2. Focusing on a Niche Focusing on a niche is a tactic both small and large capital boutiques utilize.  However if you really have $100 to spend then you need to be significantly more niche than others.  Being narrow on your offerings allows you to be an expert on what you are offering. For example if camo prints break out as a Fall trend next season than you can buy several styles in this trend and be able to attract customers who are looking to sport this print with several options.  As you attain more capital you can explore new trends and prints. Fashion trends aren't the only thing you can focus on, you can attempt to showcase solely dresses, plus size or other criteria. 3. Controlling Your Expenses There is virtually only one element that you can beat a larger business on and that is controlling your expenses.  Every business owner has been there before, creating a business on a shoe string budget and trying not to spend money on anything you don't have to. Here are some of elements you can save on: Warehousing (Just use your house/garage.) Employees (Do it all yourself and employee helpful family members.) Marketing (Go after friends and family, those get everyone started off.) The three crucial element will help you take that $100 dollars and get rolling but there are also countless other tips and resources you will need to perfect your business. Here are a few: Find Wholesale Clothing Distributors Creating an Online Boutique Attending Fashion Expos and Events Dropshipping 101 How to go viral Find Affordable Products Another question I get asked is what to choose when registering and filing taxes.  My suggestion would be to file self-employed and when your ready become an S-Corp. This will allow you to pass-through many home expenses that you use for your business to write off.  In the beginning years you will need to keep your profits by continually reinvesting in your business and utilizing any expenses you can incur to keep as much capital as possible. In final, it goes without saying that you need to get used to long days and tough hours.  The first two years of a boutique business are make or break and only the fittest survive.  

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.