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are most welcome and can be forwarded to business@times. co.sz or call 7627 9456.

OPENING a boutique is a dream for many women who want to stand on their own feet and feel the freedom and joy of owning a business, in a field they have a great passion for.

A boutique is a small retail shop selling clothes/ fabric/accessories and other goods to a specific segment of the market. It is easy to start, easily manageable by even one person, requires a comparatively small amount of capital to start, and engages the creativity and passion of the owner to a great extent. And all of these more often than not lead to a successful and enriching life for all involved.

Steps to starting a clothing store – boutique

1. Decide on the type of boutique you want to start

2. Decide on the USP of the store – the purpose of your business

3. Decide on the clothes you will carry and who you will sell it to

4. Decide on the source of funding for the business

5. Look for the location where you can have your store

6. Decide on where you will source the clothes/fabric from

7. Decide on the pricing

8. Decide on the store layout

9. Decide on the operational procedures of your store

10. Finish the legalities of the business

11. Hire good employees

12. Make a marketing plan

13. Buy everything you need

14. Write down your business plan

15. Plan a grand opening

16. Decide on the type of boutique you want to start

There are basically three types of boutiques in terms of the way they stock goods – consignment boutique, regular buy and sell retail boutique and the franchisee boutique

A consignment boutique will stock goods manufactured by other designers or manufacturers and will take a percentage as their share when the item is sold.

The consignment model means that you do not have to need initial money for the inventory but the profit share will be much lower than buying and selling.

The consignment stores operate at a volume model which means you will have to sell a lot of goods for a decent profit. This type of store is a good option if you do not have the initial investment money to buy merchandise. You will have to seek designers or factories ready to keep goods in your shop to sell.

17. Decide on the USP of the store – the purpose of your business

18. Decide on why you want to open the boutique and what you will be offering. You will also have to know what is in trend and the colours which appeal to the market at the moment