Did you know that 2% of the world’s GDP comes from the global fashion trade? Fashion is huge, and if you can harness just a small part of that trade you can have a very successful business. But do you know how to get started in this exciting retail sector?
With the advent of online stores, it is now easier than ever. Read on as we discuss how to start a men’s fashion store.
Contents
Find a Niche and Audience
Fashion retail covers an extremely wide and broad range of styles. You have different ages, sexes, and types to aim your brand at. It would be hard to compete with the major retailers that sell to everyone, so try to find a niche.
Ideally, this would be an area of fashion you are interested in. It could be stylish gentlemen’s wear, sportswear, or pop culture hoodies. Whatever you choose, make sure there is an audience for it before you begin.
Do a Competitive Analysis
When you know who and what you are selling, it is time to check your competitors. Begin by finding other companies that sell products in a similar niche to yours. They could be top men’s fashion stores with global brands, or smaller, independent companies.
Analyze everything about them. Look at how they market their products and where, along with pricing, practices, market trends, and any opportunities they have missed. This should not just be done at the start of your business but periodically throughout the year.
Create a Business Plan
If your men’s fashion online store does not need a loan to set up, then many people skip the business plan. However, even if you are not trying to get funding, the business plan is essential. It helps keep you on track and lays out your goals and objectives.
Get a Product
After this, you need to decide on the products you will stock and how to get them. Firstly, you need to know if you are opening physical premises or just selling online. If you are selling in a brick-and-mortar store, then you need the physical stock to fill it with.
Find a company that does wholesale clothing for men. You may have your own designs and may have to approach factories for quotes on manufacturing. There are many white label manufacturers online who will be able to create custom products for you at affordable prices.
Online Stores
Some people may decide to just have a men’s fashion online store. This can often be less work because you can choose to ship directly from the manufacturers. This means you don’t need to handle inventory.
This is known as dropshipping. Websites like AliExpress have lots of fashion items which you can often get at discounts if bought in bulk. However, you should always make sure you check the quality of the product before adding it to your store.
Men’s Fashion Store Opening
In summary, when opening a men’s fashion store, know your audience. Do your homework, sourcing items that are good quality and fit the niche. From here, you can decide to operate solely online or open a physical store as well and build your global brand!
If you enjoyed our article, we have many more to help you get started in the business. From finance to marketing, let us make your enterprise a success starting today!
