ONE PIECE ITEMS/ CLEARANCE SPECIAL BUYS AND UNIQUE ITEMS FOR THOSE WHO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT FOR LESS. PLEASE SEE SECTION FOR DEEP DISCOUNT AND SPECIALS. THANK- YOU. CALL 07052362430- FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAT HAVE
Welcome to TADHISAR Fashion Empire. February Love month is our Grand Opening Month.
We will have many products with ridiculous prices for you to enjoy after the strike. Please buy for all your loved ones, after all it's a month of love
We hope you will enjoy our products, styles and quality
.
Please add us to your favorite store and tell others.
Items on display can be reserved in store for future collection and payment. Online payment and courier delivery shall be activated shortly. Please do bear with us.
Added on
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:43:27 +0100 by Xclamations (Merchant)
It was the beginning of another season....another collection was due and that meant my staff and customers were waiting to see what was new and I had nothing! Soooo much was happenning,we had outgrown our factory and had begun the uphill task of moving to a bigger one,the kids had just resumed school and so school runs and mummy duties took up my day and the last thing I felt like doing was designing! i put pen to sketch pad a dozen times and nothing,nada,zilch! I asked myself the same question I seemed to ask at this time,is this it,am i all tapped out? was the last collection with all the hot pieces that brought us sooo much recognition just a fluke? would the world finally come to discover I was just another flash in the pan? I got lucky with that collection....surely lightening doesnt strike twice ,how could i possibly top perfection...or so i thought.
Finally after the most stressfull time of my work life,our factory was ready! the machines were serviced and generator fuelled."Ok ma....we need to start working on samples,the new collection is due in two weeks" my factory manager reminded me,so I did what I should have done from the beginning...I went into "madams toilet" and prayed "Lord...you and I know you are the head designer for xclamations.....I dont know what to do if you dont help me...I need new designs now and this time I will let everybody know its all you" I felt a tear and then a peace....I recognised that feelling. Two hours later michelle,snazzy,traffic skirt,joygirl ,pwk,rockstar,boxdress, beautyand dazzle were born.The collection was a hit! With record high sales and mass appeal. So whenever people ask me "how do you do it?" my answer is simple "No be God?"
Added on
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:12:57 +0100 by Gents & Ladies (Merchant)
A funny thing happened on the first warm day of the season, a crazed denim hawk swooped over the trendiest parts of town and plucked up all the flared low-as-you-can-go jeans, and thankfully, his telscopic vision was particularly keen to eliminate denim with those unsightly whiskers. Mr. Hawk and his fashion flock were fastidious enough to plant some skinny leg jeans that spread like wildflowers on every long stemmed It Girl in sight. Yup, the hot style of jeans has changed—just in the nick of time when you were getting too comfortable with your fashion that you thought you could doll yourself up in your sleep!
The must-have look this very minute is an 80’s influenced skinny leg jean that is a bit long so that it’s excruciatingly narrow hem scrunches slightly over your ballerina flats, huarache sandal, or low heel wedge shoe. Unlike flare jeans which force you to commit to a heel height to look right, more versatile skinny leg jeans aren’t limited to bunching over flats and can also be worn with high heel pumps for a sexier feel or tucked into slouchy boots or bootiescome the fall.
The jean leg can be so narrow that it has a hidden zipper or a bit of stretch to make it over your foot and then caresses your calf just so, but what’s key is that the overall look is long and very lean. Please note, that the stylish cut is drainpipe, cigarette, or pencil straight and narrow, not tapered like a bad pair of Mom jeans. I wouldn’t think of skinny jeans as a fad or fast fashion, but more of a silhouette change for the shape of fashion to come.
When anything hugs your body, you need to compliment the more revealing cut with something less spare.
Rule to live by: The slimmer the leg, the fuller the top.
Longer tops with a bit of drape are an elegant and stylish update to last season’s belly-baring T-shirts. The good news is that a tush-covering tunic top paired over dark wash or the newest gray skinny jeans visually lengthens your whole body to appear taller and thinner. You can add interesting layers like a vest or shorter jacket. Although this look has a definite 80’s influence, getting too literal with 80’s new wave nuances can trip up your style if you were born anytime earlier than the release of the first Pat Benatar album. That means, no shoulder pads, no spandex, no globe-size earrings, no big hair, and easy on the hot pink leopard—keep the styling elegant, refined, and modern.
As with the other perennial 80’s favorite, leggings. Leggings look so right under a short denim mini or flouncy tunic. They add a lightweight ease under a cinched trench, anchor a cape, and, dress down a shirtdress. The most adaptable legging is basic black, but don’t be afraid to add a dash of bold color to zip up an off-the-shoulder big sweater. If leggings aren’t quite your thing, opt for a skinny pair of black pants that convey the same body conscious look without that much hugging. By the time fall rolls around, you will see how a pair of black leggings or black skinny pants totally modernizes more structured tops and jackets.
Go as lean as your figure allowsand when you want something looser, think of wide-leg menswear trousers, but the new denim is pencil narrow. Skinny Jeans and Leggings Shoppping Guide:
Added on
Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:53:16 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
We have made
many enhancements to Naijastyles recently. Some of the major ones are listed
below:
1.Reduced commission charges: We are pleased to announce that we have reduced
the amount of the commission charged for every product sale. We now charge merchants
3.6% (of the product price) + N5 as opposed to the former rate of 5% + N5.
2.Flexible delivery charges: After careful research, we have made a
crucial modification to the shopping cart. This modification enables merchants
to be more flexible in setting their delivery rates. Merchants can now specify
if they would like to use a flat rate for delivery to a state or they can
specify a small sum for additional shipping charges. For example, TNT/IAS
charges N500 for 0.5Kg for intra-city delivery and N150 for every additional
0.5Kg. The new shopping cart enables merchants to specify that they would
charge N500 for the initial KG and then N150 for additional KGs for a
particular city. This will result in lower delivery charges for shoppers and
hence increased sales for merchants. If you are a merchant, click this URL to
modify your delivery rates now: http://www.naijastyles.com/mcpanel/settings/shippingcosts
3.Delivery/Shopping Policy tab and Product link: Studies have shown that shoppers
prefer to be able to easily access information about delivery and shopping policies
of a merchant they are considering shopping with. Hence we have added a
‘Delivery/Shopping Policy’ tab to every merchant profile. Also we have also
added a ‘Delivery/Shopping Policy’ link on EVERY
product page. If you are a merchant, please click this URL to edit your
Delivery/Shopping Policy: http://www.naijastyles.com/mcpanel/store/writeups/type/policy
4.Product views counter: Merchants can now view the number of times their products have been
viewed! In order to view this, log in with your merchant account and navigate
to the particular product (from your profile or the general product gallery).
You will see ‘Total Views’ under the product description.
Also, there is now a ‘Most Viewed Products’ section on the site. This section
showcases products that have the highest number of views in a particular group
i.e. Female, Male, Unisex, Infants and Babies e.t.c.
5.Advert reports: Advertisers will now receive reports on the success of their
advertisement campaigns. These reports will be sent automatically whenever 100
impressions have been used up and when the campaign ends. The report will
indicate how many impressions have been used and how many click have been
obtained. It will also provide convenient links for modifying the advert as
well as purchasing more impressions.
6.Mobile versions of Naijastyles Merchant Websites: We are excited to inform our
merchants that they now have mobile versions of their Naijastyles merchant
websites! This version is viewable on any internet enabled mobile device. To
view the mobile version, simply enter your website URL in your Mobile device
e.g. www.username.naijastyles.com and
the system will automatically present the mobile version of the site. You can
also view the mobile version on a regular browser by going to www.username.naijastyles.com/mobile.
These are just a few of the enhancements we have made to our site of
recent. We will keep striving to ensure Naijastyles remains Nigeria’s foremost
clothing website!
Added on
Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:31:07 +0100 by Bee's signature (Merchant)
Make up products
Products are inexhaustible but i have put together the basic ones and their application methods.
FOUNDATION
Applied
properly, foundation can make any complexion seem healthy and flawless.
The aim is to leave the skin looking as natural and unmade-up as
possible.When choosing a foundation, take into consideration skin type,
the amount of coverage you require and the kind of finish you are after.
Foundations
are either oil or water based. Some skin experts will tell you that if
you have oily skin, you should use a water-based foundation, and if you
have dry skin, use an oil-based one.They are also used for contouring
and or highlighting. Oily, problem skins will benefit from oil-free
formulations which are enriched with oil absorbers to keep unsightly
shine at bay. Normal skins can wear any sort of foundation. In hot,
humid weather, every skin type will benefit from an oil-free
foundation.
EYE BROW PENCILS
These are used to define the eyebrows. Use light, upward moving strokes for a natural look. Never use black (except for an Indian/ woman with pure black hair).
EYE SHADOW BASE
Used to set eye shadow, prevent creasing and make colour stay longer.
EYE SHADOW
These
are used to give colour, definition and shape to the eyes. Eye shadow
is perhaps the most beloved cosmetic of creative makeup artists. Since
eyes are the most important focal point of the face, the eye makeup
techniques and choice of colors for eye shadow should suit the shape
and color of the eyes.
There are many eye shades, which can be
used for the diverse parts of the eye. The darker colors like green,
blue ought to be only applied on the upper eyelid, whereas the lighter
ones like pink on the areas immediately beneath the eyebrow.
They can either be matte or shimmer.
EYELINER
Used on the upper and lower lash lines for a dramatic effect. They usually come in pencils and liquid forms. Dark eye shadows can also be used to line the eyes.
MASCARA
This is used on the eyelashes, and it is either coloured or clear. Forms of mascara are Defining Volumising Lengthening curling
Mascara,
accentuates the lashes, helping to frame the eyes. For the best
results, two fine coats are better than one single, heavy-handed
application.
LIP LINERS
This defines the lips
LIP STICKS AND GLOSSES.
Used to add colour and/or shine to the lips.
POWDER
Powders are used to set the foundation and give the face a smooth finish. It comes in such forms as loose and compact.
BLUSH
Its
main purpose is to accentuate the cheek bones and to add colour and
warmth to the skin. Blushers come in a variety of colours and shades in
a wide thrice of textures as well.
BRONZER
This is used to add shine to the face and neck area.
CONCEALER
As
the name implies, it is used to conceal flaws on the skin. Apply under
eye concealer right after moisturizer before applying foundation.
FORE MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT BEE'S SIGNATURE MAKE-UP SCHOOL, SHOP 1, SB PLAZA ALESHINLOYE ROAD, IBADAN. 07023025667 phemy2010@yahoo.com
Added on
Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:26:40 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
Many women enjoy fashion. But the best way to demonstrate self-expression is to design some of your own clothes. It can be lots of fun and possibly profitable. If you are a fairly good seamstress and can draw fairly well, you might be in luck. Read on to learn how to design your own clothes.
1. The best thing to do to start off is to put some of your ideas on paper. In this way, you are establishing some of your thoughts. Take a pencil and paper and illustrate some of your clothing ideas. If you are not a great artist, try drawing individual pieces of clothing. Such items are fairly simple to illustrate and will give you a good idea if there is potential to mix and match your pieces. Your intial drawings show where your heart is at as far as clothing creation.
2. The next thing to consider is your market and how your clothing will fit in with today's styles. Remember that many good stylists and designers initially had excellent ideas; however, their styles were not yet appropriate for the current time. The general public will not "shake off" true talent. One way or another, a good design will come to the forefront. The main thing is you must believe in your design. There have been many prominent designers in fashion and jewelry who have attempted to introduce their lines to the public and were met with less than enthusiastic results. However, as the times changed, re-introduction of the line was accomplished and later successful. So be aware of timing. Additionally, there still may be a niche market for your current designs. Research the Internet and find out what other independent designers are offering and to whom.
3. Continue to think and develop good ideas. Borrow designs from other eras. Research other eras and see what was offered. Many of the styles may be easy to create and fun to wear. I found an abundant supply of fashion magazines from the sixties and seventies at a thrift store. I perused through these periodicals and came up with some good ideas and incorporated era style with some of my own clothes. Even if you do not use any of the era styles, it will certainly get your imagination rolling.
4. Scan hospital guild thrift stores for earlier period patterns. These patterns may be purchased very inexpensively and modified according to your design and size. If you are experimenting in creating a certain design it makes sense to have a template that is not expensive.
5. Re-style your own clothes. For instance, if a dress is too long, cut off the bottom and hem it, and accessorize it. Use the material remnants to make belts and scarves. You may also purchase complementary accessories at discounters and dollar stores. 6. Try adding embelishments to plain T-shirts or tanks. Here is a way to be expressive and creative without spending a great deal of money. You may use "Bernat boa" which is normally used in knitting; however, may also be used as an embellishment. This item can be found at sewing and craft stores. Sew this around the neck or make two separate rows of it, running it down the length of the T-shirt. Know that buttons, material remnants and so forth may be used for other design ideas. T-shirts that have been newly designed, may be successfully paired with new as well as older-style garments. 7. When designing garments be aware of how you intend on accessorizing the garment. If it is a dress, hoisery is important. If you are in a colder climate, consider accessorizing 'era' looks with tights and boots. Keep accessories to a minimum and complementary to the look you are attempting to achieve. 8. Research independent designers online. Do this to get an idea of how such designers are marketing their products. Also, note the products they are offering.
9. Set up your own independent website with items you have constructed. Offer initially to custom design items adhering to the customer's size and tastes based upon your designs.
10. Try diversification in marketing your designs. Find a line of handbags you like and/or jewelry line and offer your design services in addition to selling the handbags and/or jewelry lines. There are many wholesalers who offer a nice variety of accessories.
11. Spread the word. Tell individuals within your community about your design service and direct them to your website.
12. Wear your designs and carry accessories from the lines you represent. Not only must you design your product, you must have the confidence to endorse it.
13. Most importantly, have fun with what you do. If you are confident enough and talented, the right market will eventually come to you.
Added on
Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:36:16 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
There are lots of reasons why advertising is important for a business startup, but in the apparel business, it comes down to a couple of things. Not only do you want to convince potential customers once and for all that you've got more to offer than Banana Republic or Ann Taylor, you want to make sure you have a strong image, like Banana Republic or Ann Taylor. In short, you need to create the desire to come into your store instead of those of your more established apparel competitors. If your ideal customer never strolls past your store, you'll hope that he or she at least pays attention to the mail and mass media.
Try to look at advertising as not just another business expense but as a way of building your sales. Whatever media you decide will work best within your community, your advertising campaign should be well planned, distinctive and consistent with your store image. Advertising informs your customers about the merchandise you carry and your store's special events, services and sales. And it's also going to be all those things that Advertising 101 says it should be: simple, straightforward, informative and eye-catching.
You'll have to decide the most effective way to advertise your store by taking a good look at your business and at your potential customers. In doing so, you might ponder the following questions:
How is my store different from my competitors'? (e.g., he sells Levi's; I sell dress pants)
What quality merchandise do I sell? (e.g., he sells Levi's; I sell dress pants)
What kind of store image do I want to advertise? (e.g., trendy, tailored, casual, chic)
What customer services do I offer? (e.g., special-order clothing, free on-site tailoring, a children's corner)
Who are my customers? (e.g., Beverly Hills matrons, Manhattan models)
What are my customers' tastes? (e.g., trendy, tailored, casual, chic)
Why do they buy from me? (e.g., convenience, the only store in town that sells plus-size business suits)
How to Start a Clothing Store (Part 4): Operations
Added on
Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:58:39 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
There's never a dull moment in the apparel business. When you're going to have time to read the trades and watch TV is anyone's guess--though not ours--because you'll practically live at your store, especially in the beginning.
"No one day seems to be exactly the same," says Meridian, Mississippi, store owner Robert L., who adds that he can't ever remember a dull moment in his apparel store. "Day to day, you'll be wearing many different hats, whether you're managing people, receiving merchandise or creating displays. One minute you're on the phone with a customer, and the next minute you're talking to a radio station about your advertising. Then you might have your nose in the books wondering why your expenses were so high last month."
Your Policy Position One of the things that will help balance your daily juggling act will be to establish your store's operating policies, or the rules under which you decide to run your business. It's not until you actually start your own apparel store that you'll realize how many decisions you'll be making on a daily basis, and for that reason, you want to make sure you have a plan. Believe us; a plan will eliminate making last-minute reactionary decisions that could result in some costly mistakes, like maybe losing a valued employee. We suggest sitting down, writing up your store's operating policies and supplying copies to your employees. You may also wish to post some of these policies, such as those involving cash and credit card acceptance, for your customers to read.
A seemingly endless number of these "policy" questions will arise when you enter the apparel business, among them issues surrounding pricing, consignment, purchasing unsolicited products, credit, cash layaway, returns, special orders, damage, children in the store, credit cards, gift wrapping, gift registry and hours of operation.
We put hours of operation last for emphasis, because when your doors are open will be a big factor in your success. Most apparel stores that don't conform to a mall's shopping hours stay open a minimum of six days per week, usually Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Frequently, stores will stay open until 9 p.m. or later on certain, or even several, days of the week, typically Thursday and Friday. Flexible hours allow for lunchtime and evening shopping, and in this business, flexibility is your friend. Choosing a Location
In choosing a community in which to open your store, you'll want to consider a number of location "whether" factors (this will serve as a review of our marketing chapter), including whether the community has a large enough population, whether its economy is stable enough for you to make money and whether the area's demographic characteristics are compatible with your target market.
Almost all apparel store lessors, or landlords, require a square foot rental from their lessees, usually paid on a monthly basis. Apparel store rent can run as low as $8 per square foot in certain parts of the country, and close to $40 per square foot in big malls or shopping centers in high-traffic areas or in higher-rent metropolitan areas, like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas. Landlords also sometimes ask for a percentage of the tenant's monthly gross sales--above a certain specified amount--on top of the minimum monthly rental.
In addition to paying flat rents and sales percentages, apparel store owners who decide to locate in a shopping center or mall may be asked to pay what's known as an add-on charge. This per-square-foot charge or small percentage of a store's gross sales covers advertising and promotion costs for the shopping area and upkeep of the common areas surrounding the businesses (parking, sidewalk, walkways, sitting areas, patios, restrooms).
Do all the following before you choose a location for your apparel store:
Look at several locations before choosing your store site.
Check into any local ordinances and zoning regulations that apply.
Determine your store's parking needs.
Decide whether the site is worth the rent.
Define the selling point of your store's location.
Determine whether the location is an area of potential growth.
Define your store's space needs.
Hiring Employees Your store needs will vary according to your store hours and customer traffic, but a good rule of thumb is one full-time and one part-time person for a 1,000-square-foot store.
When hiring sales staff, sales ability and personality come first. With both of those traits upfront, you can always train your salespeople to track inventory and handle apparel. Hopefully, with that combination, your salespeople will also be able to deal with the everyday apparel pressures of customer personalities and demands that require a thoughtful combination of tact, persuasiveness and a sense of humor. You also want a person who is mature and honest, one who will not only help you move merchandise out the door but also one you trust to handle your cash and to keep careful and complete records.
"You obviously have to be particular about who you hire," says apparel entrepreneur Robert L., "because ultimately it's customer service that separates us from the mall stores."
How to Start a Clothing Store (Part 3): Startup Costs
Added on
Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:50:24 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
Yes, opening an apparel store will cost you, and Oklahoma State University merchandising professor Nancy Stanforth, who once owned a clothing store, recommends a bankroll of as much as $250,000. But before your heart stops, read on. You can do it for less.
"You may not have $250,000, but my advice is to not even think about opening a store until you've got the right financing," says Margie P., a successful Redmond, Washington, store owner who sells women's, men's and children's clothing.
Like several other apparel 'lifers' we interviewed for this guide, Margie, whose store has been around for 23 years, first opened her doors in 1976 with her eyes wide shut, so to speak. Eager to get out of the real estate business and 'spending my Sunday afternoons sitting in other people's homes,' she opened a clothing store in the same downtown building where her husband had a restaurant. Margie got a $30,000 loan and was off and running. We know this fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants attitude--as well as the notion that $30K is enough to start a clothing store--goes against our principle of good business acumen, especially today.
Minimally most entrepreneurs interviewed for this business guide wouldn't dream of opening a store with less than $50,000. Stanforth recommends $150,000 to get a store up and running, while Debbie Allen, the owner of a Scottsdale, Arizona, women's clothing store and industry speaker, says you should start out with $200,000 for a 1,200- to 1,500-square-foot store--the average in this business.
The point is, you'll find many conflicting opinions when it comes to the amount of cash you should have to open an apparel store, but we won't get into any trouble by saying the more money you have, the better off you'll be. (Isn't that true in any business?) As Allen says, "The more undercapitalized you are, the longer it will take for you to turn a profit." Now that about says it all.
An Easy Rule If reading numbers in columns makes you dizzy, we'll spell it out for you. "People get into trouble because they don't know how much their rent should be in ratio to the amount of sales their store is generating," says Dan Paul, an industry consultant with retail consulting firm, RMSA. "The fact is that rent should be kept between 5 and 6 percent of your total sales, so at the top end, you can figure that you'll need $18,000 a year for rent. That means in order to keep rent at 6 percent, your store will have to generate $300,000 in annual sales."
How to Start a Clothing Store (Part 2): Target Market
Added on
Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:51:36 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
Whether you decide to specialize in high-end fashion or sporty casual merchandise, never lose sight of what sets you apart from Target, Sears and all the other apparel chain stores. You may not be able to mark down a pair of jeans to $9.99, but what you do have going for you is the old adage: "You get what you pay for."
"Department stores all look alike because merchandisers like Polo, Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica are all fighting for the same brand space," says Fred Derring, whose company helps retailers across the country market their stores. "And when everything begins to look alike, consumers can become disenchanted. In addition, people just don't have as much time to shop today, and when they do, they want to go into a store and be serviced properly. Forget service with a smile. If you can even find someone to help you in most department stores, you're lucky.
"Small stores are more focused on the community," Derring adds. "They know their customers better, they give terrific service, and they generally have a more interesting collection of clothes on their store floors that will add to making customers feel special. These are the kinds of features customers are looking for in a smaller, independent store."
Women Let's start with the hardest first. If you're going to open a women's apparel store, you already know that the tastes of the "fickle" female customer are hard to stereotype. Every expert we spoke with agreed that the very first thing a prospective women's apparel retailer must do is decide where the "market-vendor" gaps are. In other words, which customers in the store's trading area will you serve, and what apparel can you provide (and at what price) that can't be found easily elsewhere? Once you've determined this, you can buy accordingly. "'What do I have that will entice a woman into my store?' That's the big question the women's apparel store owner needs to ask," says D.L.S. Outfitters' Kira Danus. Yes, we know that's easier said than done, and it really depends on where you're going to open your store, as Danus notes. "There's a huge difference in consumer mentality across the country, and I'd advise a store owner in Duluth much differently from one in Los Angeles."
Men The typical male customer is between 18 and 40 years of age, with a smaller percentage in their fifties. (We didn't even bother listing a female customer's age because, frankly, women of all ages like to shop.) The male consumer is often single and usually has money to spend--but typically still has to be brought in kicking and screaming by his girlfriend or wife to spend it on clothes. His job may not require a coat and tie, but unless he's working in the Silicon Valley with hipster entrepreneurial types, he still wants to look good.
As we've said, if given the choice, most men would rather throw a bridal shower than shop for a new sportcoat. The only good thing about the casual dress trend, however, is that because of the trend, men seem more willing to be dragged into a clothing store.
Children Cashing in on the baby boomers' baby boomlet of the 1980s and 1990s, the children's apparel market is estimated to account for $20 billion to $22 billion in sales every year and is considered among the fastest-growing segments of the overall retail market.
Even though little girls have been known to throw temper tantrums when they're forced to wear gingham jumpers to preschool, you're not really targeting kids here. You're aiming more for their parents--at least the parents of children up to age 10, those who still make the executive decision when it comes to their children's clothes.
Obviously, the more financially stable parents are, the more they'll be willing to spend on boutique clothing for their children--if they're into clothes themselves, that is. Just because parents have money doesn't mean they're spending it on Calvin Klein and Jessica McClintock for tots. They may well be shopping at Target and socking the rest away for a college education at an expensive Ivy League school.
It all goes back to doing your homework. If you're in an old-money, Mercedes or Volvo station wagon-driving area, you can bet those parents may not necessarily be shopping at Target or Sears, but they may be shopping the Gap sales. If you're in a more flashy nouveau riche area where mothers are driving Jaguars and wearing diamond tennis bracelets, or even one where the women spend $100 on their own designer jeans, that's a market for children's fashionable boutique clothing.
Stat Fact The bulk of children's clothing sales--up to 60 percent--comes from those cute matching outfits, like matching top-and-bottom coordinates. When it comes to colors, seasonal trends like animal prints come and go, but the consistent top sellers are still--no surprise here--light blue, pink and green.
Added on
Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:56:34 +0100 by Naijastyles Administrator (Admin)
We'll presume that your desire to open an apparel store isn't because you want to prove to your ex that you're actually hip and happening, or that you're so confident of your style that you need to share that good taste with the community. We'll instead presume that you have an acute business sense, a sincere interest in the clothing business and more than a little cash in the bank.
Opening an apparel store is serious business. For some of you, it may mean giving up the safety of your corporate job with its steady income, paid holidays, vacations and the opportunity for advancement. All this, and guaranteed 12- to 14-hour days. "Running an apparel store is more than a full-time job," stresses Nancy Stanforth, professor of merchandising at Oklahoma State University. "Running an apparel store is something you do all day every day."
Always Room For More Fortunately, there's always room for the right kind of apparel store. Although you might not guess it by the number of malls and outlet centers cropping up, we're mostly a nation of small, independent merchants. In fact, most retail stores, and that includes apparel stores, are small, both in size and in sales volume, compared to a Gap or Old Navy. The typical apparel store is a small operation, usually run by the owner alone or by a husband-and-wife team. Here is a handy set of questions that will help you determine whether fashion is indeed your forte.
1. Is this a business in which you have experience? Maybe you've taken those merchandising classes; maybe you've watched your father, mother or grandparents run a business; maybe you spent a summer selling makeup over the counter at Macy's. In any case, your experience and business sense are as important as your interest in clothes.
2. Can you live with the inherent risk in the apparel business? This isn't meant to scare you; we're only trying to present a balanced picture. If you're serious about opening an apparel store, you need to know that, like the restaurant business, the apparel business is risky. You may pour your life savings into a business that goes bust within a year.
"Nothing is sure-fire, and there are risks attached to starting any kind of business," says Fred Derring, president and owner of D.L.S. Outfitters, a New York City-based apparel marketing and consulting company, "but you've really got to love the clothing business because you can make more money doing almost anything else. Even in the restaurant business--if you're successful--you can make more money in five years than you can in 15 years in the apparel business."
3. Do you believe strongly in the apparel industry? On a serious note, you really need to think about why you've decided to open an apparel store vs. a homeopathic pharmacy or an organic grocery store. Whatever your particular fashion passion, it has to be enough to carry you through the yearly holiday rushes as well as the slow summer lulls. It's like marriage: When times get tough, you need to remember why you took those vows in the first place.
4. Is your niche overcrowded or dominated by a few? It doesn't take a Ph.D. to see that the apparel industry is crowded. All you need to do is save all those catalogs stuffed in your mailbox or visit your local mall on the weekend. But there always seems to be room for more, particularly if you're offering consumers something they feel they're lacking.
5. Can you become a specialist? If you're opening an apparel store for the right reasons, you probably think you've got the corner on something someone else in your professional community doesn't. Maybe it's surf clothes; maybe it's chic plus-size fashions; maybe it's leather and jewelry imported from Turkey.
Specializing, or finding your niche in this business, is crucial to your success. And in many cases, all it takes is a little common sense. As Kira Danus, a buyer from D.L.S. Outfitters in New York City, says, "No apparel store should be stocking twill khaki shorts if there's a Gap within 10 miles."
6. Do you have a competitive advantage? In a word, this is called "marketing." For now, hear this collective quote culled from every apparel entrepreneur interviewed for this business guide: "Today the competition isn't two doors down the block; it's at the local mall. People can get everything we sell at their local mall, so we have to set ourselves apart other ways. Pay attention to the demographics in your area, to the location and available foot traffic, to television and movies and what people are wearing on the street."
Australian Fashion brand,
Manikinn.com have just opened their 1st POPUP STORE in Mt Lawley, WA .
Located at 668b (rear) Beaufort St, Mt
Lawley, the store is open Tue-Sat 11am-5pm
Featuring all the clothing from
our online store and many one-off exclusives. To view more go to www.manikin.....
To carry out its core business process, companies need resources such as labour, materials, machines, information technology and so on. Many companies today outsource less critical resources if they can be obtained at better quality and comparatively lower cost. In the olden days everything from the.....
To carry out its core business process, companies need resources such as labour, materials, machines, information technology and so on. Many companies today outsource less critical resources if they can be obtained at better quality and comparatively lower cost. In the olden days everythin.....
We are excited to announce that we have just successfully integrated
online payment into Naijastyles! Now shoppers can conveniently pay for
products from any merchant using their Interswitch ATM cards.
The payment engine utilized is Netnaira (www.netnaira.com)
. Netnaira is an interswitch .....
1 The Perfect Black SkirtThe black skirt is a wardrobe staple every woman must have in her closet. A slim, above-the-knee version looks classic, no matter what it's paired with, and flatters most figures. A bias-cut style, for instance, in a versatile knee length, will add a feminine touch to even t.....
Dear fellow fashion designer, am Osabuohien saint frank from Edo state base in India. Am into manufacture and supplies of all kind of ladies dinning, party gowns. Men are not also left out at an affordable price. We give you at affordable price where you can’t find else where…, all out des.....
Hi everyone! Please tell us what you think of our new website. It is still in BETA stage so we need as much feedback from you as possible! Thank you for stopping by.
own clothes. It can be lots of fun and possibly profitable. If you are a fairly good seamstress and can draw fairly well, you might be in luck. Read on to learn how to design your own clothes.
it comes down to a couple of things. Not only do you want to convince potential customers once and for all that you've got more to offer than Banana Republic or Ann Taylor, you want to make sure you have a strong image, like Banana Republic or Ann Taylor. In short, you need to create the desire to come into your store instead of those of your more established apparel competitors. If your ideal customer never strolls past your store, you'll hope that he or she at least pays attention to the mail and mass media.
and watch TV is anyone's guess--though not ours--because you'll practically live at your store, especially in the beginning.
Nancy Stanforth, who once owned a clothing store, recommends a bankroll of as much as $250,000. But before your heart stops, read on. You can do it for less.
what sets you apart from Target, Sears and all the other apparel chain stores. You may not be able to mark down a pair of jeans to $9.99, but what you do have going for you is the old adage: "You get what you pay for."
We'll presume that your desire to open an apparel store isn't because you want to prove to your ex that you're actually hip and happening, or that you're so confident of your style that you need to share that good taste with the community. We'll instead presume that you have an acute business sense, a sincere interest in the clothing business and more than a little cash in the bank.
