Small children's clothes shop.

[golfer001]

Hello again, since my last post and the valuable feedback I was given, I realised that I was looking at entering a very competitive market and decided to try other avenues, when I have spotted a gap.

During this time I have been constantly trying to find a gap in market, in which I now feel as though I have.

My service would be to provide a retail shop in an area in which I have identified has a massive weekend footfall. Its on the coast has nautical influence. The shop I am wanting to start is a small children's designer clothes shop. I have researched this and there is a demand in this area and people in the area travel over 30 miles to shop for their children.

The destination is a popular weekend place and holiday resort in which many "out of town" people visit.

I appreciate tha places like next will be competition but I'm trying to enter the market at a different class. More upmarket clothes such as Ralph Lauren, tommy hilfiger, and other nautical influenced designs. would include designer shoes etc. This type of shop would really fit in here. There is a menswear already here with same type that is thriving I have spotted premises within 50 metres from this.

My concern is how to approach a supplier?
How to source these type of clothing.

Can anyone please assists or direct me to a supplier??

Many thanks

Golfer

 

[chiggs]

There's Bubble, a childrenswear trade show in London, http://www.bubblelondon.com/
Childrenswear Buyer trade magazine http://www.ncwa.co.uk/cwb.html or the Harrogate Nursery Fair next month http://www.nurseryfair.com/

 

[fibernatural]

We can offer natural fabric clothes for kids. They are 100% hemp and look and feel great. You might find out that some parents are interested in healthy clothes first then the designer label.

Good luck ,
Alex

 

[GBIMPORTEXPORTRETAIL]

I may be able to help with suppliers.

I would also like to discuss something with you which may (I can't promise definitely will) bring in customers, or give you sales.

PM welcome.

Thanks

Carl

 

[golfer001]

Hello,

Chiggs thanks for your reply with info.

The market Im trying to enter is for "smart" designer type clothes for children, the nautical theme is extremely popular and would like to base my proposed business around this as its also in a coastal location, with a massive footfall.
Obviously I need to source suppliers and calculate if tis commercially viable first. But I am convinced there is a gap here.

My research has shown that in the specific area there is no shop that sells these type of items, there is a demand and many traveling further afield to buy such items.

How could I approach suppliers of ralph lauren, hilfiger and crewe clothing. (just three for example of type of style Im trying for)

GBIMPORTEXPORTRETAIL Please feel free to private message me to discuss.

 

[gr9ce]

Bearing in mind todays newspaper headlines are you sure people now do a round trip of 60 miles to buy designer children's clothes they will grow out of within months?
Is the fact there is not already a retailer servicing this market in the area an indication the market may not be there.
Children's clothing retail has been discussed here at length with competition from the internet getting fiercer by the day.

Suppliers may clamour to service you but you are basing a very important business decision on weekend trade only and is this year round?

 

[yourmajesty]

Even if you are talking about Brighton in the Lanes or Newquay etc. I really do not hold much confidence in these times for the long term viability of the businesses. When discount clothes stores like peacocks goes into administration you know there is trouble ahead. I would look for something else.

 

[golfer001]

Gr9ce, thanks for your view.
Im not stating that they specifically do a round trip every week, but most I have asked tend to await until the need new clothing and travel 30 miles to purchase, my target clientele is levered towards those whom have not been effected by recession and those whom prefer a higher quality products. Not your typical adams, Primark next or cheap high street shops.

Many people whom travel to this area are affluent and the brands sell.

As Ive stated there is also a mens shop that is a very similar theme in this area and doing extremely well.

Your Majesty, thanks for your reply.
But to compare my proposed business to Peacocks, I feel as though I have not expressed myself very well. Peacocks target clientele is exactly what you have stated those looking for cheap clothing, the steam is running out of this type of shop, mass produced, cheap and dont last well.
I am aiming to attract a clientele whom want quality clothing for their children that believe it or not once they grow out of them there is a massive re-sale market for childrens designer clothes.

For eg take 5 year old buy them a t-shirt from Peacocks it lasts around 5 washes and unable to re-sale.
Now take a quality item like a ralph lauren pol shirt, ok more expensive but lasts well, then these can be re-sold on with ease.

There is absolutely no comparison between what I am looking at setting up and Peacocks. Peacocks, like Primark are poorly made items that are basically designed for peole whom want to wear a new item each week. Dont know anyone whom has ever shopped in peacocks!!!

 

[tonik]

Hi there,

Was just wondering whether you had kids and what ages, boy/girl etc. As a mum of two boys, now aged 19 and 13, I wouldn't have bought designer clothes for them when they were younger, even though I am financially able to afford it, unless it was a birthday/Xmas present and then the item would have only been worn if we were going out. This was/is also the case with my boys' friends and after working in a school for 5 years realise that parents purchase designer clothes for special occasions, not for everyday use.

Unfortunately, clothes from Primark, Peacocks, George at Asda, Tesco etc do survive after months of washing and at about £5 a top, can be binned when worn out and replaced by another £5 top. Young kids spend most of their days dropping food down themselves, messing about in the garden, laying on the floor, colouring etc, not activities I'd want them to do in a £40 lacoste top.

The designer men's shop nearby sounds successful as many young men, living at home and employed, have a good disposable income which is spent mainly on clothes and going out. I'm afraid many parents of younger children don't benefit from the same disposable income and in today's climate every penny counts.

Just a quick question - will you be relying on tourist trade or parents coming in regularly to buy designer stuff? You sound passionate about your idea, so please don't think I'm pouring cold water on it - I just wanted to give an honest view.

 

[Photovision]

Best of luck Golfer, you know your market and how to target it.

Regardless of how well tescos/primark and such like clothes last there is ALWAYS a market for higher end. The only clothes shops we have around here are high-end so they must be doing something right

Look at Baby Gap for example, high-end crazy prices for baby clothes and yet they're always busy in ours

Once again Good Luck!

 

[golfer001]

onik thanks for your view.

There are many people whom like to shop at the stores you have mentioned but at the same time I feel as though and research shows that many are getting bored of it and when out you see many children dressed the same. My Aim is to target those whom want to differ.

My personal opinion is I wouldnt shop at any of the stores mentioned regardless of price, you get what you pay for. For every buyer of a tescos t shirt there is a buyer for a nice quality polo shirt. I wouldnt be asking my target Clientele to pay £50 for kids clothes but between £20-£35 for high quality products that look far superior to the mass produced brand names.

I am not aiming at clothes for them to lay about it, you wouldnt catch a bloke laying about or gardening in his hugo boss t shirts etc. Its the same principle. Im talking clothes for going out, family days, weekends, holidays, special occassions clothes that the parents want to make a bit of a satement, a bit different without being overboard. Just that little better quality and class than whats available at these strores.

I agree a smaller market but I believe there is a market for it. However my research did show that many families are happy buying girls clothes from primark, tescos etc as the follow trends. However these same people have stated there is definately a gap in the market for boys clothing, many struggle to find smart clothes for young boys (ages 4-10). Its apparently very difficult to get a young boy to look "smart" using the likes of peacocks, primark etc.

I would like any advice on how to source any suppliers of the type of clothing Im searching for. Or if anyone has a shop any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[david.duncan]

If you haven't already sourced your EPOS system, we already supply to a number of designer Kids clothing boutiques.

PM for more info

 

[gr9ce]

'very difficult to get a young boy to look "smart" using the likes of peacocks, primark etc'

As asked elsewhere do you have children? From the age of 5 now they will wear what they want and smart does not enter into it. Smart is embarrassing and for weddings.
You seem to want to cater for a small niche market and those here will have to wish you well as you are determined.
The durability of clothing is irrelevant, as mentioned kids grow out of stuff faster than it falls apart. Are people driving miles for top end kids clothing really then going to bother trying to sell it on hence view it as a worthy investment?
At least when I view a wardrobe full of hardly worn/unworn fashion items bought on a retail therapy whim (from Peacocks and Primark) I can feel slightly better that the now useless several seasons-out-of-date items only cost a quarter of a 'designer' label.

 

[golfer001]

rce

Our children of 5 did certainly not decide what to wear themselves.

I think you are getting confused my view on smart, my aim is to enter the market with trendy clothing for boys, girls trends at primark etc is ok but the boys clothes are cheap and border line tacky, with minimal amount of choice.

Smart is not embarrassing!

for eg the one trend at the minutes is for chinos, smart long sleeveed polo shirts, body warmers and a trendy pair of shoes/boots.
The shops that you have mentioned do not provide these, the only exception is next and you dont have a lot of variety.

You are correct about children growing out of clothes quick but one of the main USPs of designer clothing is retail factor. These "clever parents" that pay £20 plus for a good quality "brand", once the children grow out pop them on ebay and you can still get £10 for on ebay. The last well. You try doing that with a peacocks £7.99 Polo shirt!! You would be out of pocket.

You are correct its a small niche but a gap in the market nevertheless

In a day and age where "image" matters, parents want to dress there kids with trendy clothes, and like you said kids want to wear what they want to wear. Have you tried getting a 6 year old girl to wear "look-a-like" Ugg boots from Peacocks/Primark. She would rather not have them, Ugg boots are expensive but are in huge demand.

Every family I know have bought their daughters a pair for winter as the "look a likes" just cant compete.

To conclude, I appreciate your point of view but I am convinced their is a market for it, for the clientele that prefer quality to the cheaper lines.

 

[GBIMPORTEXPORTRETAIL]

Golfer,

I think you may have done already, but PM me if you haven't.

I don't know about British parents or UK based parents, but there IS a demand for designer clothing etc if you know where that demand is. I have some demand, and I would like to discuss something with you.

I have demand for:

Next
Mothercare
George

Anything that you can buy in the UK.
It does help if there are not already stores in my area, so Zara and H&M would be a general but not complete no-no.

Like I said, get in touch, and we can have a serious discussion on Friday via e-mail.

Thanks

Carl

 

[deniser]

If you are doing this as a hobby rather than a serious business and have deep pockets then you might want to ditch the brands that you have mentioned but look at cheaper nautical themed clothes which do sell well. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger children's clothes are double the price that they are in the US and people who like and can afford these labels tend to buy them in bulk from the US.

I wouldn't even start this business if you expect to make money from it. The independent childrenswear sector is in deep decline and struggling.

I would suggest:
*Mitty James beachwear and swimwear
*Weekend A la Mer for smart nautical themed clothes for boys and girls which don't cost the earth
*Joules which is very popular amongst the middle class second home owners
*Toby Tiger which has lots of stripes

Just my opinion.

 

[golfer001]

Deniser.

Thank you for your reply.

Joules was one of the names I have penciled into plan, as well as the likes of Crewe clothing.

A very valid point on Ralph Lauren and Hilfiger.

My problem is approaching these suppliers, any ideas???? Trade shows etc for this type of clothing?

regards

 

[golfer001]

Deniser.

Im view is to also try an import similar styles of clothing as childrens clothing is exempt from VAt as well, I believe?

 

[deniser]

Before you do anything further you should follow Chiggs' advice.

Get hold of a copy of Childrenswear Buyer and Junior magazine.

Go to the Bubble Trade Show in Islington or the show in Solihull for independents . Also visit some of the London gift fairs. The next Bubble is in July as you've just missed one.

Don't buy anything. Just look around and do your research. Get chatting to people. Take contact details. Make a good plan.

 

[deniser]

Deniser.

Im view is to also try an import similar styles of clothing as childrens clothing is exempt from VAt as well, I believe?

As you know nothing about the industry yet, I would stick to what is available from the UK first while you learn the ropes; importing carries much greater risk and you really need to know what you are doing.

Most brands will have an agent here in the UK anyway so you can get overseas brands without having to import them yourself.

And yes, children's clothes are largely zero rated for VAT.

 

[golfer001]

Deniser,

Thanks for your advice, you obviously seem to have experience in this field, and would really appreciate any other advice that you can give me.

Are these the only two trade shows?

Are there other ways that I can approach suppliers/ agents direct?

Really appreciate your guidance/ advice

 

[deniser]

Deniser,

Thanks for your advice, you obviously seem to have experience in this field, and would really appreciate any other advice that you can give me.

Are these the only two trade shows?

Are there other ways that I can approach suppliers/ agents direct?

Really appreciate your guidance/ advice

I have been in the business for many years. Yes of course you can approach the suppliers direct. You can get their details from the www.ncwa.co.uk website. Even if you don't go to the shows, you can get the exhibitors details from the Bubble website. And google them of course.

Yes they are the only two trade shows for childrenswear in the Uk now apart from the Harrogate baby fair which Chiggs mentioned.

 

[pen2670]

Hi Golfer

Have you thought about selling and fitting children's shoes as well?

Just asking as we have a designer children's shop locally who occupy 2 linked units, one sells clothes the other shoes and appear to be doing well - trading a long time, people travel to them and are well regarded although known as pricey.

Think part of the reason it does well is a lack of competition - nearest Clarks is 16 miles away and the only other retailers of children's clothes do it as an add on.

No business advice as we're just starting out too in a similar field. Hope you don't mind but I've copied a few of the links (thanks) and might see you at the Harrogate trade fair.

All the best
Penny

 

[golfer001]

Pen2670.

Yes, I am planning on stocking shoes.
We have found that parents struggle to find a good quality shoe that lasts, many use clarks, but the shoes are not really a trend setting, more practical.

One of the seasons best selling but are also hard too source have been the boys boating shoes, the converse boots etc are also a big seller in childrens. Its just finding a supplier is difficult.

In the proposed area I am looking at there is no competition to the service I am trying to establish.

If your just starting out and obviously then we are in the same boat.

 

[deniser]

There are separate shoes fairs.

You need to be careful with children's shoes. Downsides are:
1. It is extremely labour intensive. You can spend an hour with a family, pull out hundreds of boxes, and they still won't buy anything
2. the money is in school shoes, not fashion shoes
3. if you do sell school shoes you need to open Sundays and late night at back to school times and employ a huge number of temp staff just for the end of the holidays
4. shoe boxes take up huge amount of space so you need large storage facilities
5. you can't pick and choose sizes. Shoes come in set packs and there will always be some sizes you are left with at the end of the season. You need to find a way of clearing these, sometimes even at a loss, to make space for new lines.
6. for people to travel you need a large choice and have lots of sizes including multiple width fittings in stock
7. staff need training in shoe fitting

 

[tonik]

Don't know if this helps, but there is a shop at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex called Boys Base which sells designer kids clothing and has been trading there for years. Have a look at their website, it might be of interest.

 

[mothdust]

If you're looking to make unique handmade children's hoodies available at all, do drop me a message I've found they are rather popular in the high-end children's fashion market.

 

[grazzenger]

I wouldn't even start this business if you expect to make money from it. The independent childrenswear sector is in deep decline and struggling.

Hi, just wondering what your source is for this or just an opinion?

 

[deniser]

Hi, just wondering what your source is for this or just an opinion?

Lots of sources and statistics available. When I have a chance I will pull them up for you.

 

[grazzenger]

it's just that this January 2012 report from Mintel would appear to say the exact opposite -

“The childrenswear market is profiting from the shift towards smaller and wealthier families. More women are delaying motherhood until their thirties, when they are financially secure and better positioned to splash out on their new arrivals. Affluent AB parents have an affinity for high quality children’s clothing, encouraging premiumisation within the market. Retailers with higher price points need to emphasise the superior calibre of their childrenswear offering, and how these garments excel on comfort and durability, and hence are worthy of the initial investment.”...



So I'm intrigued as to your source material.

 

[grazzenger]

or perhaps this even more recent article (20th March 2012) - http://www.childmode.com/2012/03/20...ting-ready-to-dive-into-the-childrens-market/

there are 2 things that independents can do at the moment. chase the chains and supermarkets to the bottom or stand out from the crowd and work bloody hard to build a brand of high repute. there are still enough comfortably- and well-off people out there, you've just got to get in front of them and wow their socks off.

 

[businessopportunityseeker]

If your interested in the Nannette brand of childrens clothes send me a message and I'll get you in touch with a supplier I know

 

[deniser]

it's just that this January 2012 report from Mintel would appear to say the exact opposite -

“The childrenswear market is profiting from the shift towards smaller and wealthier families. More women are delaying motherhood until their thirties, when they are financially secure and better positioned to splash out on their new arrivals. Affluent AB parents have an affinity for high quality children’s clothing, encouraging premiumisation within the market. Retailers with higher price points need to emphasise the superior calibre of their childrenswear offering, and how these garments excel on comfort and durability, and hence are worthy of the initial investment.”...



So I'm intrigued as to your source material.

Sorry, only just seen this. I am only talking about the "independent" shops, not the sector as a whole.

Only 5% of parents ever shop in independent childrenswear shops. http://www.just-style.com/analysis/meeting-the-challenges-of-the-childrens-wear-market_id109200.aspx

It used to be much higher and this is what I mean about decline - decline in market share.

 

[TeeTick]

I think it is better to sourcing a clothing factory in Asia. If you have been to Vietnam, you will know you have big and right choice for your clothing business.

 

[jcooper]

I dont belong to the upper class and I still buy designer clothes for the kids. So go for it! There is still a huge market for designer clothes for kids out there. Best of luck to you

 

[bigbananas]

On the off chance, would you be interested in buying a childrens clothing website I own? 'ExclusiveChildrensWear(dot)com'
Within 2 months of creating it, and SEO'ing it to within an inch of its life, the owner of the shop it was intended for, sold. So I put some Google ads up and left it. I've made quite a decent bit of money from it over the past couple of years but I would be interested in selling it. Since this time last year its had 60 unique visitors a day.

 

[Talay]

If I were going into the kids clothing business, I would target the ages birth to school. Why ? well, my own experience is that we bought an awful lot more clothes for the kids when they were at home and then at kindergarten than we ever did in the early school years, simply because the main clothing of the day, 5 days a week, was the school uniform.

 

[deniser]

If I were going into the kids clothing business, I would target the ages birth to school. Why ? well, my own experience is that we bought an awful lot more clothes for the kids when they were at home and then at kindergarten than we ever did in the early school years, simply because the main clothing of the day, 5 days a week, was the school uniform.

A very valid point.

 

[TeeTick]

That is a great idea as children at this age change their clothes constantly.

 

[1starsbaby]

We started a kids clothing company last year and doing great, birth to school age, we concentrated on the higher end yummy mummy market, producing everything organically, ethically and with quirky designs and packaging. Some of our range is made from bamboo fibre and cotton mix, sustainable source, some parents are knowledgeable and don't want their newborn in clothing made by a child. Do something unique and find a niche, it's not all about rock bottom prices, it's creating a value that counts. We are fair trade and manufacture in South Africa and Turkey respecting the rights of workers.
We also exhibit at Spring Fair NEC, Home and Gift Harrogate and Independent Kids Show, Solihull.
Good Luck to anyone starting a business at this time, it can work!