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

Selecting a Niche For Your Retail Clothing Store

Retail fashion is a cutthroat industry that's becoming increasingly difficult to enter. With the national brand name store companies spending millions of dollars in advertising, smaller fashion stores struggle to stay afloat. The bottom line is that you have to set yourself apart from other stores by focusing on a specific niche. Doing so will give customers a reason to visit your store rather than some of the larger national stores. But just what niche should you build your clothing store around? If you are having trouble choosing one, keep reading to learn the steps to selecting a retail clothing store niche.

Why Niches Are Important For Retail Fashion

Niches are important in the retail fashion industry for a number of different reasons, one of which is the fact that it creates a specialized theme for your store. For instance, customers will feel more inclined to visit "Kim's Dresses" if they are searching for a dress rather than visiting some generic national clothing store. As a result, you'll likely gain a strong following because of your store's specialized focused. The principle of building a store around a niche works in a variety of businesses, fashion included.

Choosing a Niche That Interests You

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurial store owners make is choosing a niche simply because it's profitable or "in demand." While this may seem like a good idea on the surface, it ultimately ends up failing because the owner isn't knowledgeable on the subject. Instead of choosing a niche based around its "profitability," you should choose one that interests you. Doing so will allow you to apply your knowledge and experience on the niche to your business.

There are countless different options available when it comes to choosing a niche for a retail clothing store. As previously stated, you should choose one that's naturally interesting to you. Not only will this give you a knowledgeable edge, but it will also make your job more enjoyable. Check out our niche list below for some ideas. Remember, these are just a few of the MANY fashion niches available.

Here are just a couple idea for niche clothing stores:

• Swimwear
• Maternity clothes
• Big and tall men's clothing
• Baby and infant clothing
• Teen clothing
• Dresses
• Tuxedos
• Hip and trendy apparel
• Plus-sized apparel
• Custom-tailored clothes

Maximizing Product Display In a Retail Clothing Store

In the retail fashion and clothing industry, displays are a key component to success. Your store can offer the most fashionable garments at the lowest prices, but it's all for nothing if you don't display it properly. Unfortunately, far too many store owners overlook the importance of garment displays, resulting in poor sales and overall performance. If this sounds like a familiar problem, keep reading and we'll reveal some simple ways to maximize your product display in a retail clothing store or boutique.

Waterfall Hooks

One of the easiest and most effective ways to display garments in a retail store is through the use of waterfall hooks (see image above). As the name suggests, waterfall hooks are designed in a diagonal shape to allow all garments to be seen. In a traditional hanger system, only the front-facing garment is noticed by customers, which ultimately limits its effectiveness. A better option, however, is to use a waterfall hook system. Instead of relying solely on the front garment to make an impression, you'll have multiple on display for customers to look at. For the price, there's no easier or better way to display a large number of garments in your retail clothing store.

Mannequins

We really can't talk about product displays in a retail clothing store without mentioning mannequins. Whether your store sells beachwear, maternity clothes, baby apparel, teen apparel or anything else, chances are it will benefit from the use of mannequins. These otherwise simple store accessories allow you to display garments in a way that shows your customers how they look on the human body. While mannequins aren't exactly people, they are shaped and built in a similar fashion; thus, providing an effective tool for displaying garments in a retail clothing store.

The secret to using mannequins as garment displays is to keep them updated with new outfits. Allowing the same garments to remain on your store mannequins will gradually lower their effectiveness. Customers who have seen them before will become immune to their marketing effect. Try to get into the habit of switching up your mannequins wardrobe at least once every week for optimal performance.

Hopefully, these tips will help you make the most of your retail fashion store displays. As previously stated, this an area that shouldn't be overlooked in the world of fashion. Customers want to see clothes before they buy them; therefore, it's your job to show them everything your store has to offer. Keep this in mind and don't be afraid to try new types of displays. After all, you never know if something works until you try it.