Equipment Checklist For Starting a Retail Apparel Store

Thinking of starting your own retail apparel store? If so, you'll need to purchase the right equipment to store and display product. Apparel stores are unique in the sense that they require specific fixtures, such as mannequins, which aren't found in other stores. Overlooking this critical step could send your business tumbling downwards long before it even opens. For a checklist of essential fixtures and equipment necessary to start a retail apparel store, keep reading.

Rolling Racks

Arguably, the single most important type of equipment for starting a retail apparel store are rolling racks. As the name suggests, these are mobile racks with wheels that can be moved around the store as you see fit. Rolling racks are incredibly versatile, allowing apparel store owners to display shirts, jeans, pants, dresses and practically any other garment that works with a traditional hanger.

So, how many rolling racks do you need for your retail apparel store business? There's really no easy answer to this question, as it depends on the size of your store, type of apparel you offer, store layout, and your professional goals. With that said, I recommend new apparel store owners create a detailed floor plan to determine exactly how much space they have available. Look at your store's blueprints and choose a location for all of your store fixtures.

Mannequins

Of course, mannequins are another essential piece of equipment for retail apparel stores. You can hang garments on rolling racks all day long, but nothing compares to the realistic figure and frame of a mannequin. Customers can see how a particular garment looks on the human form thanks to the use of a mannequin, which naturally encourages a greater amount of sales.

The only real downside to using mannequins is their space requirements. A single full-sized mannequin will take several feet of valuable real estate in your store.  And using too many will limit the available space for rolling racks and other key fixtures, so try not to go overboard with your store's mannequins. Strategically placing a couple in your window display and scattered throughout your store should suffice.

Other Equipment Necessary To Start a Retail Apparel Store:

• Track lighting (particularly helpful when used in conjunction with mannequins).
• Slatwall or gridwall.
• Garment bags.
• Cash registers.
• Security tags for high-dollar garments and accessories.
• Hangers (you'll need plenty of these).
• Body forms
• Signs