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

The Do's and Don'ts of Mannequin Displays

Mannequins are an integral part of any retail fashion store or boutique. These otherwise simple accessories allow you to show customers how a garment looks on the human body. There's no denying the fact that seeing a garment on a rolling rack is far different than seeing it worn on a human silhouette. The bottom line is that customers want to know what a garment looks like on the human body, and displaying it on a mannequin is the perfect way to accomplish this. However, there are some things you need to know about mannequin displays before you start using them in your store.

The Do's of Mannequin Displays

If you intend on using mannequins in your store, make sure up at least a few of them directly in the front windows. This is arguably the single most important display area in your store, so you'll want to take full advantage of it. When people are walking outside of your store, a well-dressed mannequin will instantly capture their attention and hopefully attract them inside. In turn, this will result in greater sales and more profits. But just how are you supposed to setup a mannequin in your store window? There are several ways to approach this, but it's usually best to stick with bright, bold colors to catch the attention of passer-bys.

Another tip that's helpful for using mannequins in a retail store is to make them tell a story. Far too many store owners take the easy way out by throwing a shirt and pair of jeans on their mannequin and calling it a day. Not only does this limit its effectiveness, but it's also boring and simply not interesting to look at. Instead, dress your mannequin out from head to toe with a full wardrobe, shoes and accessories. You can even go one step further by doing their hair and makeup.

The Don'ts of Mannequin Displays

Quite possibly the biggest mistake store owners make when using mannequins is not changing and adjusting their outfits often enough. I know it's difficult to find an extra hour or so to place new garments on your mannequins, but you must keep their wardrobes updated to maintain a fresh look. Allowing old garments to remain on your mannequins will result in a poor performance and customer response. Shoppers want to see new things when they go out to stores, so take this into consideration when you are setting up mannequins in your store.

Using Mannequins To Display Store Apparel

Most retail apparel store owners will agree that mannequins are the single most effective selling tool at their disposal. Sure, you can hang garments on racks all day long, but it doesn't offer the same level of realism as a mannequin does. Customers are able to naturally see how a garment or outfit looks when worn by viewing it dressed on a mannequin. For this reason, it's a recommended accessory that every apparel owner should have. To receive the most benefit from it, however, you'll need to follow some basic tips when setting them up.

Choosing The Right Mannequins

First and foremost, you'll need to decide which types of mannequins will work best in your store. If you've never purchased them before, you might be surprised to see just how many different types there are. Some mannequins are designed with full bodies to model entire outfits, while others are basic torsos without legs or heads. Ask yourself what kind of clothes and garments you intend on displaying and then choose the mannequins that are best suited for the job. Remember, though, summer is right around the corner, so you may want to choose mannequins with the ability to display summer-wear clothing.

Mannequins also come in both male and female styles. If your shop strictly sells either men or women's clothing, you'll want to choose the appropriate gender for your mannequins. Trust me, you don't want to try and dress up your female mannequins in men's clothing or vise versa.

Going With The Season

If you are having trouble trying to come up with new ways to style your store mannequins, think about the current seasons and try to incorporate it into the design. As most people already know, the official 2013 spring season is now upon us, so try to use spring-themed apparel and outfits on your store mannequins. This generally means brighter, bolder colors with short-sleeve shirts and a mix of both pants and shorts. As the summer approaches, you can slowly begin to swap these items out for more "beachy" clothes.

Another little tip that's helpful is to check out what your competitors are doing. You shouldn't steal or copy their exact mannequin designs, but you can draw some inspiration by looking at them. See what colors and elements they are using. Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration to spark a new mannequin idea.