Improve my marketing

ptben

Not sure if this is the right board for this or not. I'm after peoples honest opinions on what marketing draws them into fashion clothing stores. My girlfriend and I started a small fashion shop in Llandudno, North Wales two months ago and we are wondering what the subtle secrets are the big chains use that the average consumer buys in to. Also, if you go to a small boutique in your area, why do you go there rather than the big retails parks / shopping centres / cheap and cheerfuls (Primark, TK Maxx etc.)?

ptben

Sorry. Apologies.

quickstepqueen

For me I hate small boutiques. I feel intimidated by them, feel like I HAVE to buy something, and like the assistants are watching my every move. That is just my personal reason. Big stores appeal because you can browse at leisure, try stuff on, and know that they usually have a very good returns policy.

Background music always helps I think, can create either a good or bad mood, depending on what you choose.

Sorry I'm not much help. We don't have many small boutiques in our area and I'm a hopeless clothes shopper anyway but hopefully avid clothes shoppers will be able to offer better ideas.

Good luck on your venture though.

ptben

I never thought of boutiques like that but that's just me. I will try and make it more approachable and less intimidating. Only my girlfriend and I work there so there should never been a teenager mithering as soon as you come through the door.

Little_John

There is only 1 shop I go to that isnt a multi store thing and it is becasue I know they have a huge selection and I can buy what I want from them. I found out about them by word of mouth so you will find it hard to get the same type of advertiseing.

A few tips, let people see inside the store from the outside, dont go filling the windows with dummys and blocking off the view. People are more likley to go in if they can see what you sell from the outside.
Don't pester anyone, let them have a look and only approach if you think they cant find their size, you know the person they look through the rail twice.
Sell decent stuff not the cheap market stuff or coppies. but be competative, keep an eye on the prices in shops selling the same stuff. offer discounts to entice people in 10% off days or student discounts. some sort of gimik offering discounts to people and advertise the offers in the windows. but dont block the view remember.
Another option would be to cater for a specific audience larger sizes or somthing if you go down that route make sure you have those sizes in stock you dont want to be turning people away if they find somthing they like but not in their size I rarely go back to a shop if I cant find anything in my size.

Also try not to go hanging stuff up outside the window that you see in a lot of seaside towns it looks crappy and untidy giving the shop a cheap apearance