So, I wrote a previous post on the 5 First Steps to Opening Your Clothing Boutique. In Step 4, I talk a little bit about researching what brands you want to carry in your boutique.
Today, I’m going to go a little bit more in depth on how to contact the brands you want and what information they will need from you.
First things first, by this point you should have your Seller’s Permit and your Business License. The process of obtaining these vary state to state, so check on your own state’s government website for information. After you have your Seller’s Permit and Business License, make a list of brands that you would like to carry. Remember, you may not be able to get every brand that you want.
Depending on what type of boutique you are opening – for example – Junior’s clothing, Contemporary clothing, etc., will make the difference on how fast or easy it is to get certain brands.
If you choose to do Junior’s clothing, shoes, or accessories it will be fairly simple to acquire those junior brands that you want. Most junior brands I have worked with have only required me to provide my Seller’s Permit number, if even that.If you are in Los Angeles, a good place to start for Junior’s Clothing is the San Pedro Mart. The minimum to buy is usually 6 pieces for tops and dresses and 12 pieces for jeans or pants. Here, you will only need your Seller’s Permit number.
If you are more specific on what brands you want for Junior’s clothing, go to that brand’s website, find their wholesale contact information, and send them an e-mail or give them a call to set up an appointment to visit the showroom.
For example, I decide I want to carry the line Pretty Rebellious. I google “Pretty Rebellious” to find their website, click on Contact Information, and there I find the Sales Rep and L.A. and N.Y. Showroom contact information. And don’t worry if you are not in Los Angeles or New York where the showrooms are – once you get in contact with a Sales Rep, they can send you photos of their current line and you can place orders through e-mail.
Now, say you want to carry a more Contemporary brand like Seven For All Mankind. When you contact their Sales Rep, they will have you fill out a questionnaire and you will most likely have to provide pictures of your store (if your store is already open).
Here are the types of questions that they might ask:
- How many years in have you been in business?
- What is the size of your store?
- What percentage of your store is Women’s?/Men’s?
- What other denim brands are carried in your store?
- What other clothing lines do you have in your store?
- What stores in your area are considered competition for your store?
They will also have you fill out a credit application. Once they have reviewed all your information, they will either approve you and you can start ordering, or they can also deny your application.
There are also brands that you will not be able to carry at all. For example, the Kardashian Kollection was designed ONLY for Sears. It is not made available to anyone else to carry. You must go to Sears to buy that brand.
So, I hope that this post has been helpful and as always, leave me a comment if you have any other questions I didn’t answer. 🙂
Hello I really appreciate you helping those like me who are just starting out. I do have a question however, when i shop at stores and find brands I like and when I type them into google about 6/10 times I do not get the brand i am looking for. I search through pages for hours and cannot find the website…do you have any suggestions? Also, is there any other way of finding brands im interested in besides snooping through other stores to see if I like any? Thanks a million, anything will help, Robin
Hi Robin!
Thanks for the comment and questions! I really do enjoy offering any advice I can that might help out.
To find the brand you’re looking for, you could also try going directly to to a market center’s website. For example, if you go to the Cal Mart’s website (located in Los Angeles) you can go to the directory and search by category. It will give you the names of the showrooms and the lines they carry there. Also, try this website for New York showrooms. If it is a popular line, they should have a showroom in Los Angeles or New York and most likely both.
As far as finding more lines that you may be interested in, I would highly recommend attending a trade show like MAGIC in Las Vegas. There you can visit booths of many different lines. You are guaranteed to find what you’re looking for! – And its all in one place! You can also search a directory on their website for the type of clothing your looking for and the lines will be listed along with their website.
If you’re still having troubles finding what you’re looking for, e-mail me at raquel(at)technical-designer.com and let me know what you’re specifically looking for and I’ll see if I can help anymore.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!!
-Raquel
Hi my name is sky and I’m opening a clothing store I’m looking for hip hop brands to put in my store. I have contacted all of the brands I’m interested in, unfortunately I haven’t heard anything back. What other avaues should try. Love your blog.
Which brands have you contacted? I’m currently looking for a store to place some of my items.
Are you still in business could I get some tips from you my email is tandt25@yahoo.com
Thank you
Hi Raquel,
I am interested in starting just an online boutique at this point in time, with hopes of turning it into a full-time venture and opening up a store front in a local community. How would I go about getting brands since I will be only selling online at this point. I reside in Ohio so I am not to sure how I could visit any showrooms. Thanks for any input!
Brittney
Hi Brittney,
If you haven’t already, you will need to get your Seller’s Permit, Business License, and/or any other business requirements you may need in your state. Usually, when opening a new account with a brand they will ask you for your Seller’s Permit number and your EIN (Employer Identification Number). Since you aren’t able to get to any showrooms, you can contact the sale’s rep for the brands you’re interested in and they can send you a linesheet or many have websites that you can browse wholesale after getting approved and place an order online.
I hope that helps and let me know if you have any other questions!
-Raquel
I, like Brittney, am interested in starting just an online-only boutique. I have been doing the blogging thing for over two years and am hoping to diversify a bit. At this point I have an LLC, an EIN, and I just filed for my Seller’s permit. The problem I am facing is that there are fewer and fewer brands that are willing to sell to me without having a store front. Is there a easy-ish way to find out what brands are ok selling to an online-only boutique? Or at the very least are there certain buzz words I should be looking for when trolling different brands’ wholesale sites?
Thank you for your help!
Nikki
Fashion Finds on a Dime
Hi,
I’m imbarking on this exact journey. Did you ever get your question answered? I’m facing the same issue and would not want to settle for lower quality than what I want.
Embarking*
Hi Raquel,
I currently have a higher end consignment shop, and I am wanting to open a boutique, next. I went to the sites you listed above, but where can I go to see pictures? I am not familiar with most of the brands listed on those websites, so I would like to see what they have to offer.
Thanks!
Allison
Hi Allison,
Try looking by category, for example Women’s Contemporary, and take down a list of brands from that category. If you google them, you should be able to find the actual brands website to see the type of clothes that they have to offer. A lot of times you will have to sign up for a wholesale account to view their current items and prices. If you’re able to, visit the showrooms and browse around to see if there’s anything that will work for your boutique. It takes quite a bit of research in the beginning, but once you find the brands that will work for your boutique, the buying process will go much quicker in the future! 🙂
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
-Raquel
I have a question. We are in the business plan phase and are trying to get in touch with reps for vendors we are wanting to carry in out sneaker boutique. Most of the vendors want us to be open, carrying other brands etc. How do we get around that to get the numbers we need for the business plan, and earn their business to carry their items and have the product in the store before we open up?
Hi Michael,
Usually if you are ready to place orders and let them know the additional brands you will carry – you should be able to place the order.
As for your business plan, you should be able to estimate numbers by requesting a line sheet from the brands you’re interested in. That way you will be able to know the wholesale and retail costs. Before they send you a line sheet you may need your Seller’s Permit number & Business ID number so make sure you have that already set before you contact them!
Good Luck!
-Raquel
If I wanted to get high end brands in my boutique how would I go about that? I would like to open up one and only sell higher end but I do not know where to start. Thanks.
Hi Felicia,
I would suggest start by contacting the sales reps for these brands and see what their requirements are for obtaining an account. They will let you know everything they will need from you before approving your account.
-Raquel
First and foremost, I think you are awesome for providing your wisdom and knowledge. I have a quick question, do you suggest reaching out to your brands before your store is open? I ask because when I have reached out they want to see my website and store address. My goal is to do an online store and shopping parties but I am just getting started. So I I don’t have a website or storefront will they still work with me?
Hi Liza,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delayed response, but I recently got married and was on my honeymoon 🙂
I think while you are working on your online store, to at least start the process of getting your business license and seller’s permit. A lot of brands will at least ask you for your seller’s permit number to verify that you are a legit business before proceeding. I also applied for both while I was working on my website.
Also, I would suggest putting up an under construction page up for the landing page of your website. That way you can inform them that it is still before the launch date but you still have a website up.
Hope that helps!
-Raquel
I really appreciate you for taking the time out to present and share such informative information. I’m starting an online boutique and have been overwhelmed by all the blindsided information that’s been thrown at me. If I had ran across your site sooner, I would have saved myself about four months of headache. I must say that researching have educated me though during the process. I would like to know what are the steps or process for printing your labels and understanding the shipping aspect of having an online business. I want my first impression to be an everlasting impression in order for my business to survive in such an large market.
Lateresa
Hi Lateresa,
Thank you for your comment and I’m glad to know that you found my posts helpful! 🙂
As for labels – are you referring to shipping labels? For shipping I have used UPS & USPS. It is very easy to create and pay for shipping labels online. Then you can print them yourself and even schedule a pickup with the post office or UPS. (I’m sure FedEx is the same, but I haven’t shipped with FedEx as much.)
Also, along the lines of packaging and leaving impressions… I love to wrap up and add special touches to my packages I send. I even include a Thank You note and write a little something to my customer. I just try to imagine what would make me feel excited about opening up something that I purchased online.
-Raquel
Hello,
I am starting a new boutique and wondered if you had a specific ‘pull’ letter/email that I could send to the designers rep in order to establish a connection. I will be opening mid 2014 and require inventory before hand. Please bear in mind I am based in the UK and would like to have a wide connection in the US. I am looking for a professional letter, which with research I am unable to come across as I need to get this correct beforehand.
If anyone has any information in regards to this please could you let me know.
Regards
Hi,
Congrats on your new boutique! I don’t have a general letter that I sent out – but I’ll see if I can put something together to e-mail you and help out. For some brands you can apply to sell wholesale directly from their site. If that isn’t an option, you can send an e-mail or make a phone call to the Sales Rep expressing your interest in their brand and they will most likely send you an application as well.
I’ll try and get some more info to you soon. 🙂
Thanks,
Raquel
Your posts have been incredibly helpful in putting together my own boutique!! It’s a dream coming true!!! I still have a ways to go but have all the vital credentials. I have contacted brands but wanted to see if you did come up with a letter. I just want it to be professional. I appreciate it!!
Hi Raquel,
Was curious if I could see what that letter template looked like that you’ve shared with some on this thread. Thanks so much, your posts are very helpful and I’ve enjoyed reading them!
Hi Raquel,
I am in the process of opening up my own online womens boutique. I was always in the healthcare field.. & now I am switching to do something that I have always had an interest in.. CLOTHES, 🙂 I was just curious as to where to start.. I have done SOOOO much research on the internet.. I was thinking of doing a drop shipping method? But I have heard about so many “middlemen” & scammers. If you could PLEASE help I would GREATLY appreciate it. I am going in circles!
Thanks,
Brooke
Hi Brooke!
I am not too familiar with drop shipping. I looked into it briefly a few years ago, but the cost just didn’t make sense for me at the time. But I was looking at U.S. drop shipping companies and I’m thinking maybe you came across some from China – which probably looks pretty “scammy”! I would say if you’re going to go that route, stay with companies within the U.S. 🙂
-Raquel
Hi, I had a question! I am currently opening a woman’s and children’s boutique and I am having trouble with the children’s lines! Some of the children’s line will not let me sell their items cause another store in town sells them and they say they have a 5 mile protection for their buyers! My store is seriously 4.9 miles away! Do a lot of brands do this! Cause if so I am screwed! And this other boutique is in the bad part of town, is run down and the lady that runs is about. 80 years old and never keeps the store open, and marks up her stuff to where no one can afford it. Like one dress is 170 dollars that she bout for maybe 30. I just don’t know how to get around this! I know if given the chance I could sell more for these brands with consisten hours, a nicer store and location and I want to run promotions and advertise something this other store does not do! Thanks in advance
Hi Jenny,
There are some brands that will choose to do this and unfortunately it is completely up to them how they want to sell their product. The good news is that there are lots of different children’s clothing brands out there! Keep looking and I’m sure you will find some great brands that the other store doesn’t carry. 🙂
-Raquel
Hi!
I came across your site while researching information for my online store and I must commend you on doing such a great job!
I currently retail women fashion back on in Africa (Name of country withheld), I having been selling from home for about 3yrs and have a decent size customer base. This year I plan on expanding my business by opening an Ecommerce site. I usually get all my items from retail stores in the US and UK, as a result the cost of my items are a bit high. I would love to continue giving my customers same quality and brands (mid range to high end) that they are used but at reduced price. How can I get whole sale pricing from mid range to high end brands in the US for my online store.
Thank you!
P.S Congrats on getting married.
Hi!
Thank you so much! 🙂
You should be able to contact the brands that you want and apply for a wholesale account. Although a lot of the more popular brands will require you to have a physical store location for approval of a wholesale account, but there are still brands that have no such requirements.
Good Luck!
Raquel
Hi Raquel-
Thanks for all your tips and knowledge! I am a fashion college grad and recently opened up an online boutique which has become very successful. My end goal was to open a storefront, and here goes to signing my lease tomorrow in the heart of our city, Dallas Texas. 🙂 However, even with going to college and taking a million classes on buying etc. there’s still a million things I don’t even think we were taught haha! Anyways, since Dallas market went by during my negotiations with the landlord, and now Vegas market is coming up during my construction, I need to get inventory on a quick turnaround. I could go to Vegas and get all the immediate contemporary, but feel like this would be a huge hassle. Do you suggest I make a trip, throw my tennis shoes on, and hit up San Pedro since I am more knowledgable with most the vendors already or do you suggest I go to market in Vegas? I felt like going to San Pedro and doing all my orders there would be a lot easier for me to be able to get the items shipped quickly, but I wasn’t certain. Any advice?
Thank you greatly in advance! 🙂
Hi!
That is great news! 🙂 I think if you need to get inventory quickly, your best bet would be to go to San Pedro since almost everything there is immediate. I find Vegas is good for when you want to find new vendors or if you want to place orders in advance for the upcoming season. Let me know what you end up doing and how it goes! 🙂
-Raquel
Thank you! I’ve decided to go ahead and book to L.A. March 6-7. It will be a lot of walking, but I’ve got a good map set out. (And an extra suitcase to stuff and save on shipping!) I agree on that being the best way, so thank you again, I needed that reassurance! If you around that Thursday or Friday I would love to come by and see your boutique, meet you, and get any tips you can give me…in the flesh! 😉
-Thais (like Ty-eese) I know it looks like “thighs” written, but I can assure you it’s not! 😉
That’s great! I would love to meet you.. I’ll send you an e-mail! So excited for your store – your website looks great!
Talk to you soon,
Raquel
I have read all of the comments, and I must say they have helped me so much!! I think it is awesome that you share and provide insight to use just starting out. There are so many people who will not help in fear that newbies will run them out of business. Thank you so much for your help!!!! SO MUCH..
Stay Blessed
Mesha Williams
That’s great to hear Mesha! Thank you for your encouragement! 🙂
-Raquel
hi raquel,
thanks for this amazing article! so i just want to know once you place order with the sales team, how long do they expect you to pay them? and also, how long does it take to deliver to your office?
thanks.
Hi Chris,
It depends. The first order they will probably have you pay in full, subsequent orders can sometimes be a net 30. When you buy, they will tell you delivery dates, whether it’s a 6/30, 7/30, etc. so you will know when to expect your shipments.
-Raquel
Hi! I am so thankful for your help! And congrats on ur marriage! I am a mother of four who gave up my dream of fashion for my children, but now I’m getting back. I I’m preparing to open an online boutique, got all my paperwork, just needed help on choosing how many items I should start out with online? How much should I spend to start ( as little as possible). And where can I get good quality clothes? And how would I know it’s good quality. Place I would love for u to mentor me through email, if that’s ok? And one day I will love to reach out to help new boutiques!
Can’t wait to hear from you!
Hi Ayyanna,
Yes, please feel free to e-mail me anytime.
Thanks!
Raquel
Hello,
Ive been doing a lot of research and I’ve found some great suppliers however I can’t seem to get around having to buy in bulk. Do you know any companies that offer wholesale where there is a minimum but you can select your items for Women’s apparel? Thank you
This is all great information, thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I’m opening a women’s boutique in September and after doing a lot of research online, I’m still unsure of the best way to approach getting inventory for the opening. I know some of the lines I want to carry from attending a trade show in February and have been granted and have been approved to place orders; however, I’m still unsure when I should actually buy the inventory I’ll need to open the store. The general buying calendar and delivery dates that I’ve found online are challenging to interpret as I’m unsure if this is just s general rule or if each line has their own buying calendar. I guess my main question is: do I need to buy inventory April to sell in the store in September?
Any insights that you can provide would awesome.Thanks!
Hi Jen,
I would probably buy inventory for delivery about 2 weeks to one month before you open. That way you have time to tag everything and enter it all into your system. Now is the time to buy for Fall ’14, so when you contact sales, they should have their Fall ’14 line sheets available to send to you and if you go into the showroom, they should also have Fall ’14 samples so you can see. Deliveries for Fall ’14 can be 6/30, 7/30, or 8/30 (usually).
I hope that helps!
-Raquel
Raquel,
I’m so lost on how to start an email to get in contact with a designer that I would like to carry their line. Any tips on how to word???
I’m so happy I came across your site while doing research for my daughter’s future boutique. I think your amazing for sharing all this information because it can become overwhelming at times. Thanks so much!!!
Hi Raquel,
I am having trouble finding brands that I want to carry. I am looking for fashion savvy, trendy, yet classic women’s clothing for women in their 20’s-30’s. I would love to carry looks similar to Zara clothing. What is the best way to go about researching various brands? I am unable to travel to trade shows, so finding things that I can order online is all I can do right now. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Hello, your site is amazing!!!! It answers all of the questions for beginners with a passion. I’m very thankful for you! I need some insight on a few questions. I would love a mentor through this wondrous amazing walk with fashion while in process of opening my boutique.
I would like to know How many items should I sell?
How much should I spend?
Where would I get good quality clothes?
Hi Raquel!
I am launching an online clothing boutique this fall and your website has been an absolute godsend! Piggybacking on the previous questions ask, what sort of things should I include in my emails to designers/brands that I am interested in carrying? I have all the required permits and the
“coming soon” splash page for the website will be up shortly. I am going to Magic in the fall and showrooms in LA, but there are some overseas brands I am really interested in.
Thank you,
Jacklyn
Hi Raquel!
Thank you for all this great information! My sister and I are in the beginning stages of opening a boutique and we have a few questions about the markup of the inventory. I know some clothing will come with a retail price on the tag, but if it doesn’t, how do you know how much to mark up an item?
Thanks!
I am wanting to open an online boutique, but I don’t have a clue as to where to start. I have two teenage daughters who are into fashion and I know they could help me with the purchasing of the catchy clothes. I just don’t know where to start.
Hi Valleri,
The best place to start would be with a business plan. Most importantly it will help you come up with costs for opening a boutique. The more you research, the more it will come together for you!
-Raquel
How do I get lines which are carried by Saks or NeimanMarcus? I am thinking to have an online shop to sell those high end clothing oversea?
Hi Linda,
Many higher end lines are very strict in who they will approve for an account to protect their brand – online is especially difficult. I would suggest contacting the sales reps of the lines you would like to carry and see what their requirements are.
-Raquel
Hi i was reading the comments you have great advice. I’m interested in opening my own boutique. I’ve been in retail for 6 years now, a manager at a site store in Atlanta, I’ve read upon so many ways to start my own sneaker boutique. I’m on the right but still so much i need to know
That’s great! Your experience as a manager will definitely work to your advantage! Read as much as you can and take it step by step – you’ll have your boutique up and running in no time!
-Raquel
Typo: shoe store
Hi Raquel, I really appreciate all the information that you gave. I am starting an online clothing boutique( men and women) and I need your help if you don’t mind, I was wondering can you mentor me and give me pointers on how to start and succeed. I am a hard working Lady and I know I will put my heart into something I know will blossom into something beautiful…. Shelly
Hi Shelly,
Please feel free to email with anything your stuck on… my email is raquel(at)technical-designer.com
-Raquel
Hi Raquel! My daughter and I are in the planning stages of opening a boutique. We have found many online websites for wholesale clothing but we are worried about quality. (like rosewholesale.com) Do you recommend sticking with lines that are at the San Pedro Wholesale Mart or Trade shows like MAGIC? Also, can you give us some idea of the average mark-up for apparel?
Thank you for all your guidance and tips!
~Amy
I was looking into rosewholesale.com aswell did you order anything from them ? if so how is the quality within the clothing ?
I have the idea of starting a western store. Would have men women and kids clothing. Also would have boots jewelry and hats. If that all works out expanding out to selling ropes boot repairs jewelry making with costume belt buckles and spurs. This is all a plan right have no idea of where to start with getting the name brands of clothing and boots into the store and what is the cost of that. I know the basics of having tax I’d and sales licenses. Thanks in advance.
I am planning to open up a middle to high end small boutique. Mostly couture and not too many of the same clothing.. I would like to design my clothes myself , and sell designers also..I also would like to have a storefront and website. I am getting a settlement soon and I would love to invest for my two children. I am 32 and., I don’t know much at all .Can you please give me some advice on how to buy wholesale and how much is our discount ? I also would like to know how can I find someone reasonable but creative to help me design my clothes . I have a lot of fashion ideas I have always wore and loved high end fashion . I’m a good stylist also and, I need to know start up fees and help with a good business plan .. I took a couple business classes didn’t help much☺️ Thanks for being supportive of future..please email me , oh I forgot to tell you I’m in the Michigan area I know that I have to get a sellers and business liscense, but I’m more worried about the merchandise and the quality of it and, how can I make sure I don’t purchase knock off brands ?? Thanks a lot for your help !
HI, I Designs my children’s line, would you be interest in check it out, I work with 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton, high quality garments, if you are interested contact me at, clothingline@mldgirls.com
Hi!
Thank you for all the tips and wisdom. I have opened a small boutique in the south and carry a few lines such as Kori, Umgee, Blue Pepper, and 2 tee Couture. I am interested in suggestions of vendors along these lines. I have been to several shows ie Atlanta Apparel, etc but wanted to get your input. I order from these sites directly but also order from online wholesale sites. Just wanted to get some feedback on ordering for reputable sites with quality. Thanks so much!
Hi Raquel,
I am a resident of India.
Suppose there is a certain brand that I would like to also host in my online shop and suppose that brand is an established one, why would they want to sell through my website too? What am I missing?
I guess its a numbers game?
Please help me here as I am a novice..
Thanks 🙂
Great post.
I have a clothing store, with brands like Marc Jacobs and Comme Des Garcons (play)
I have great credit, but somehow some brands wont sell their products at the store.
In my case Aesop … Is there someway one could convince them, its a good idea?
Or where could the problem be? Could it be my instagram is not completely prof? (usually taken with a smartphone)
i just dont get it.
Thank you so much for creating this page and sharing all this valuable information with us. I’m currently opening a children’s boutique and like many, I’m in the process of reaching out to different vendors. I’ve somewhat narrowed down those that I’m most interested in, but I’m unsure of how I should or what to say in the initial email I’m planning to send. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Raquel! These are such helpful and wonderful posts, thank you for taking the time to help us out. I am currently working on handbags but would like to start a small boutique. The MAGIC show is next week and have been dying to go! Is there a way for me to just be a guest to get see what my options are or do I difinitivly have to have a sellers permit to get in? Or is there a way to get in while I’m waiting for all the license and permit info..? Thank you so much for your time.
Hi,
I am starting a new boutique and wondered if you had a specific ‘sample’ letter that I could email to the designers reps in order to establish a contact. I will be opening early 2016 and require suppliers and stock before hand. I am based in the UK. I have researched time & time again & I have been unable to find anything suitable, it is so important for me to get this correct beforehand as I am eager to create the right impression.
If anyone has any information in regards to this I would be very greatful if you could let me know.
Regards
Rachel.
I’m looking to open a children’s boutique that carries clothing, unique baby gifts and pregnancy survival items. I have the location and am just waiting for our renters lease to end in May. Will having my business license, sellers permit and website be enough for brands to sell to me before opening the store this summer? Any other hoops needed so the companies know I am legitimate?
Thanks so much,
Nichole
Iam trying to open my own online boutique I need help
Hey Raquel! First I wanna say I love this page!!! Ok so I’m wanting to open an online boutique but what has me at a stand still s the naming of my store. I want to use my name but I’ve heard that using your personal name especially since its hard to spell and pronounce would be a bad idea. What is your take on this? Any Advice on what I should do? Thanks you so much and I hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Raquel, great post! I have one question, I am interested on selling designer shoes and bags in a wealthy area, all malls are far away and there are some places where there are shopping centers but none with high designer shoes or purses, there are some boutiques with brand clothing. After getting the licenses and permits, all real estate done etc, I have a connection with the CEO of a big company in the fashion industry who said will help me with some brands when I am ready. I am not ready yet, I am still trying to decide which new venture I am going to follow. But my question is how challenging is it to get lets say, prada bags or jimmy choo shoes or Christian Louboutin shoes in business? I will really appreciate your advise. Thank you.
Hi! I recently purchased my domain name and am in the process of opening up an online boutique. I don’t have a lot of money or space in order to buy in bulk. I’ve seen other online boutiques that pre-order so that there isn’t as much money out of pocket. What are your thoughts on this? Also, I had looked into Volusion and Shopify to power my website, but wanted to see if you knew of any others that are comparable. I like that Volusion does not charge a fee per transaction like Shopify does. One more question….I would love to be able to use drop ship, Are there good quality companies that offer this service? Most I have seen are not quite up to the quality standards that I would like to be associated with. Thank you in advance for any help and advice you can give me on these subjects!!
Sincerely,
Tina
Thank you your information is really helpful.
Great post, thanks so much for sharing, good insight for upcoming boutique owners.
Hi,
I love your blog! I’m looking to start an online boutique only. However, I’m having trouble finding wholesale distributors with a good product as well good ratings in customer service etc. Any ideas on which wholesale distributors I should purchase from?
Thank you,
Amiee
Hi,
Im wanting to put my brand in boutiques but i want to make sure its the right fit. What questions would i ask the owner to find out more about the store and to determine if my line will do good in their store?
How much is it to attend the magic convention in vegas to network and speak with wholesale
so much great info! thank you!
I want to open an online boutique without actually having to purchase the merchandise…. my main concern is not selling and being stuck with sizes and styles that are not selling. Any advice on drop shipping? Or who to get started with this?
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Hi!
Im looking for contemporary lines that carry both regular as well as plus sizes (ex: s-xxl) etc. If anyone has any leads or tips that would be great!
Hi, I’m glad I came across this! I’m wanting to start my own boutique as well,but do I just need to stick with the suppliers that can add your label to the clothes being sold as wholesale? I know some manufacturers you have to use their logo.
Following this question!! I am also looking for suppliers to do this for my boutique located in Botswana.
I am retired and offered a buyer position at an upscale Salon in Scottsdale, AZ. I know nothing about the industry but because it is a very small boutique I think I can do it. Could you give me some advice before I sit down with the owner. Dying to start a new chapter in my life. Thanks so much. Love this site
I am interested in starting a small boutique store in my mall, but I can`t seem to find out how to get a vendor that sales Calvin Klein. Is there a any information you could give me.
Thank you so much! You have provided me with a great deal of information that I was really looking for.
I didn’t know that you need to obtain a seller’s permit and a business license to open a boutique. It seems like a lot of work. I don’t know if I could handle it! It would be fun to pick out clothes though. If I were to open a boutique, I pick out some unique pieces.
My friend and I have been wondering how to open a boutique and this article was really helpful for us. Your advice to go to a brand’s site to find their wholesale contact information is great for people who would like to stock their boutiques. I also appreciate the tip to bring pictures of the store and come prepared with ideas of what stores will be a competition in the area.