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Merchandising for small boutiques can be either difficult or easy
as a profitable small boutique depends on how well you actually know
and target your customers. Buying original goods or providing
exceptional service will be the key for a successful small boutique.
Merchandising:
The Oxford Dictionary (circa 1964) defines merchandise as:
"n. Commodities of commerce, goods for sale.[ME, f, OF marchandise(as following, see -ise0]"
So we now know what merchandise is and today the more common usage of the word has been turned into a verb to describe the act of selling goods and services.
The dictionary.reference(dot) com/browse/boutique defines boutique as:
Many people, who browse and buy from a boutique clothing store or department, do so for the privilege of being able to afford unique clothes of either style or brand names. These people are often well-off financially and are looking for every which-way to distinguish this attribute from the average shopper. Price is rarely an issue. They demand quality items and usually items that are a "one off" so that they will always have an original item.
These customers are often very demanding and demand unique and exceptional service. A successful small boutique owner/manager is accepting of this requirement and will need to cater for whims of service that are unlikely to be required by an 'average' shopper.
Buying merchandise for these types of retail outlets cannot be done in bulk as originality is paramount to success. Also, the type of merchandise sold in these boutique outlets are not the type of stock that can normally be found in a store that caters to the larger majority of shoppers.
Brand names that are recognized as high-ticketed items by their peers will often be the key to a successful small shop or speciality boutique.
2. Any small, exclusive business offering customized service:
Boutiques are not restricted to clothing shops. Any business or service can brand their business as a boutique if they can afford to cater only to the people who demand originality and are prepared to pay for this privilege.
Real Estate agents are another business who often goes for a boutique style business. Some will only deal with high-rollers interested in buying penthouses or are property developers.
Lawyers who specialise solely in doing business mergers are another form of boutique service. They have boutiqued their services to finding companies (merchandise) that can be sold or taken-over while others have specialised in other complicated and exclusive areas of the law.
3. A small business, department, etc., specializing in one aspect of a larger industry:
With life becoming more complicated with rules and regulations governing every aspect of industry, law, and everyday life, there are more and more specialist small businesses needed to cater for these aspects of larger industries. These specialists' services are now boutique businesses offering both unique knowledge and exceptional and exclusive services.
The best merchandising tips for small boutiques that I can offer is to recommend that you stay focused and brand your business as unique and exceptional.
Merchandising:
The Oxford Dictionary (circa 1964) defines merchandise as:
"n. Commodities of commerce, goods for sale.[ME, f, OF marchandise(as following, see -ise0]"
So we now know what merchandise is and today the more common usage of the word has been turned into a verb to describe the act of selling goods and services.
The dictionary.reference(dot) com/browse/boutique defines boutique as:
- "a small shop or a small specialty department within a larger store, especially one that sells fashionable clothes and accessories or a special selection of other merchandise.
- any small, exclusive business offering customized service: Our advertising is handled by a new Madison Avenue boutique.
- Informal. a small business, department, etc., specializing in one aspect of a larger industry: one of Wall Street's leading research boutiques."
Many people, who browse and buy from a boutique clothing store or department, do so for the privilege of being able to afford unique clothes of either style or brand names. These people are often well-off financially and are looking for every which-way to distinguish this attribute from the average shopper. Price is rarely an issue. They demand quality items and usually items that are a "one off" so that they will always have an original item.
These customers are often very demanding and demand unique and exceptional service. A successful small boutique owner/manager is accepting of this requirement and will need to cater for whims of service that are unlikely to be required by an 'average' shopper.
Buying merchandise for these types of retail outlets cannot be done in bulk as originality is paramount to success. Also, the type of merchandise sold in these boutique outlets are not the type of stock that can normally be found in a store that caters to the larger majority of shoppers.
Brand names that are recognized as high-ticketed items by their peers will often be the key to a successful small shop or speciality boutique.
2. Any small, exclusive business offering customized service:
Boutiques are not restricted to clothing shops. Any business or service can brand their business as a boutique if they can afford to cater only to the people who demand originality and are prepared to pay for this privilege.
Real Estate agents are another business who often goes for a boutique style business. Some will only deal with high-rollers interested in buying penthouses or are property developers.
Lawyers who specialise solely in doing business mergers are another form of boutique service. They have boutiqued their services to finding companies (merchandise) that can be sold or taken-over while others have specialised in other complicated and exclusive areas of the law.
3. A small business, department, etc., specializing in one aspect of a larger industry:
With life becoming more complicated with rules and regulations governing every aspect of industry, law, and everyday life, there are more and more specialist small businesses needed to cater for these aspects of larger industries. These specialists' services are now boutique businesses offering both unique knowledge and exceptional and exclusive services.
The best merchandising tips for small boutiques that I can offer is to recommend that you stay focused and brand your business as unique and exceptional.
Any unique or specialized small boutique business model will depend on understanding who your target market is and then merchandising the goods or services that they will pay premium prices to get.
It is only by adopting the right advertising method and strategies that a company can get in touch with the potential customers all over the world.
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