If you own or manage a clothing boutique, it’s very likely that you’re constantly seeking to maximize the profit margin you have.

Being able to increase the profit margin, which is the difference between gross income and expenses, will allow you to do many things with your business, such as exploring new lines of products, thinking about an expansion, or implementing improvements that will benefit your short, medium and long term profitability.

Take into account the following ideas to create a comprehensive plan that allows you to have a higher profit margin in your clothing store.

Reduce costs in your store

Increasing the selling price of your products to improve your margin is usually not the best idea, as this could lead you to lose a considerable number of customers.

A good solution is to adopt simple but effective schemes that can make a real difference in the costs you have. For example, it’s essential to have good employee handling and well-planned inventory management. The reduction of packing costs for shipping orders or the stored goods can reduce the seemingly harmless expenses.

Also, the selection of your suppliers and the relationship you have with them are crucial, because they can help you improve costs, get discounts or give you benefits that will improve the profitability of your store.

Do a revaluation of the prices at your store

It’s important to have a balance between the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and the price that customers are willing to pay.

Make a revaluation of the prices you currently have and create a strategy. One idea is to put “premium” prices on items that are used once in a lifetime, such as wedding dresses or prom dresses; and that the rest of your products keep competitive and attractive prices for your customers.

Offer an extra that doesn’t cost you anything

Speaking of a fashion store, you can offer personalized style advice when your customers are shopping, and charge for it. So you can go from selling just a dress, to selling a dress plus a consultancy.

Also, many customers are willing to spend a little more in stores where they know they’ll receive extraordinary service. If your store starts to be known for the quality of its customer service, you can increase your prices and obtain a higher profit margin.

As the owner or manager of a fashion boutique, it’s easy to get discouraged and frustrated when sales are low or when you don’t receive enough visits to your store.

At times like these, you need to know some tips and strategies that will help you get your store back on track to increase sales and make it a thriving business.

Here are 7 tips that you can easily implement and that will improve the sales of your boutique.

Give people a reason to visit your store

One of the main things you can do to promote your store is to give people a reason to visit it.

Whether you organize a private event, offer products that’ll be available only for a limited time or you distribute online coupons that can only be used in your physical store.

Focus on the way you sell

Of course, it’s crucial that you have quality suppliers with excellent products, but also the customer service and the way in which you sell is very important for the success of your store.

Train your staff to be friendly and helpful with customers at all times, improve your refund policy, and be accessible on social media. In a nutshell, offer an extraordinary complete experience for your clients.

Building this type of customer service may cost a bit more in the short term, but it’ll help you have a very healthy final balance with happy and loyal customers.

Never stop analyzing

Analyze your sales or the absence of them; of previous days and even of previous years. Analyze the products you have in inventory and the sales of each of them. Also analyze your competition, your customers and your employees. All that analysis will help you determine what you can do to improve your sales, your marketing strategies, the performance of your employees and even yours. Never stop analyzing.

Motivate your customers to pre-order

If you sell prom dresses, be sure to do an advertising campaign in which customers feel that time and inventory is limited and that it’s best to buy or order their dresses in advance.

The feeling of limited time and limited edition motivates buyers to act, as they won’t have the opportunity to obtain those products at another time of the year, or at least not in the same way.

Be locally relevant

As much as possible, get to know in-depth the community in which you operate. This will help you find marketing and awareness ideas with which local people will connect more easily.

Organize events

If possible, organize at least one event per month in your store. Events can attract visitors and fill your boutique with potential customers.

For example, you can organize a fashion show, a makeup class or a personal style course. The idea is to offer an event related to your fashion store and provide something of quality to attendees who can become customers.

Tell a visual story in your window display

If your store is in an area with a lot of pedestrian traffic, create a beautiful window display that tells a story. From the outside, your store should invite people to go in.

A well-designed window display attracts the curiosity of customers and encourages purchase.

Gala dinners are the events with the strictest dress code. If you were invited to one, don’t panic, getting dressed for a gala can be quite fun, because it’s something that doesn’t happen so frequently.

First of all, remember that gala parties are always at night, so your whole look must be thought for night time.

Also, it’s important to know the dress code for the gala you are attending since it can be black tie, black tie optional, or semi-formal.

Take note of the following tips to know how to dress for a gala party, and take advantage of the event to pamper yourself with a dreamy dress.

If it’s Black tie gala…

For a black-tie gala, men should wear tuxedos and women should wear long and very formal gowns.

This is the occasion when you can wear a dress with a princess-like silhouette. Your overall look should be very elegant and glamorous.

If you don’t know what color of the dress to choose, black and dark colors never fail for gala parties.

If it’s Black tie optional gala…

Black tie optional galas are a bit less elegant. Men can choose to wear a suit instead of a tuxedo and women should wear long dresses, but not so dramatic ones.

Choose a dress whose shape highlights your silhouette and don’t forget that it is an evening event, so say yes to all the sparkle that you want.

If it’s Semiformal gala…

The third dress code option is semiformal, which is usually for parties with a more relaxed atmosphere.

For a semiformal gala you can choose a midi dress or even a cocktail dress. If you prefer to go with a long dress, it’s ok, but make sure it’s a simpler dress than the one you would wear for a formal gala.

Shoes to wear at gala…

For an entire gala look, choose high-heels with rhinestones, sequins, and glitter.

If your dress is black, go for black shoes, but if it’s of another color, gold or silver heels can be an excellent option.

Last thing, your Coat…

As galas are always at night, you should consider taking something to keep you warm.

If the party is in wintertime, think of an elegant coat. If the gala is on the beach or in a warm-weather place, you can wear a silk pashmina to cover your shoulders.

Follow these tips and look spectacular at the next gala party you go to. Remember, the key element of your look is the dress, so take your time to choose the right one for you.

The relationship with your suppliers is an important aspect not only for the success of your business but also for its growth.

When trying to grow your business, it’s important to maximize each advantage, and you are likely overlooking the extra benefit you can get from your suppliers.

Remember that the companies to which you buy products and services can be potential partners, because, if your business grows, they also benefit as you’ll be able to buy more, so your success is in the interest of both.

If you have a good relationship with your suppliers and you are known for paying on time, they could increase your available credit and give you more time to pay, which can get you out of a hurry if you are in a moment of low cash flow.

Turn Your Suppliers into Partners for Your Business Growth

We recommend that you reflect on what you expect from each of your suppliers. There may be hidden opportunities for you, and that can be very beneficial for your business.

Also, certain aspects can help you identify if a supplier is helping your business grow or not.

Innovation and Improvements

If your supplier is not growing and improving her offer for you, you’re not getting continuous value from her. She is an expert in her field and should have the potential to innovate her work to offer you better products.

Advice

A supplier that’s working to grow your business should offer advice based on what you really need and not only what you want to hear.

Beyond Expectation

If your supplier exceeds your expectations without your pressure, it’s worthwhile to develop and consider her as a partner for important projects.

Time

Time is worth gold, and that’s why your supplier must give the necessary time and attention to your business, to know how it’s going, and what its needs are.

The best suppliers are those who are continuously giving you new ideas and suggestions to improve your business. There is much to be gained by having a stable supplier base, as long as they help you grow by improving aspects of the business.

The stability and support of your suppliers are essential when you are growing, or your business is seeing changes in the market.

So don’t go with suppliers just for the price. Consider the whole package of benefits to give a higher value to the business relationship. Also, reward proactive suppliers. They’re a great asset to your business!

The mother of the bride plays a key role in the wedding. She is one of the main characters and the bride’s favorite partner in crime.

For this reason, we create this style guide exclusively for the mother of the bride. If your daughter is getting married, take note to have a classy and impactful look.

1. Dress style

There are dozens of dress styles to choose from. To make your decision a little easier, a good idea is that you compliment the bride. That is, if her wedding dress will have lace, yours should too. If it is of vaporous fabrics, then choose one with those types of fabrics too.

Communicate with your daughter so you can both decide the dress style you want for that big day.

Once you’ve chosen the style of the dress, you can think about the color.

2. Color of the dress

The color of the dress depends mainly on whether it’ll be a day or night wedding.

If it’s a daytime wedding, you can go for bright colors like yellow, mint, and coral. Just make sure you’re not going with the same color as the bridesmaids.

If the wedding will be at night, then a dark-colored dress is the most elegant option. While black is the first color that comes to mind for an evening event, shades like gray, aubergine, burgundy, and navy blue look incredible and elegant too. If you’re more of an extrovert, choose a red dress, which, with the right accessories, will make you look lovely.

If you want to go for a more classic and timeless look, you can choose a neutral color. Shades such as beige, mauve, champagne, silver, and rosewood work well both day and night.

3. Shoes

The shoes are the main complement of any dress. On this special occasion where you will be standing for a long time greeting guests or dancing on the dancefloor, it’s better to prioritize comfort over design. Look for a pair of beautiful shoes that are comfortable enough to wear for a long time.

Choose a neutral tone so that you can use those shoes with many other colors of dresses.

4. Accessories

Accessories are essential for any look, and their style must depend entirely on the dress.

If you choose a simple dress, your accessories can have a more prominent role in your overall look and be flashy with large earrings or a necklace with an eye-catching colorful jewel. But if your dress already has rhinestones and other details, the best is to keep the accessories simple. For example, classic pearls are discreet and elegant.

5. Hair and makeup

After checking out of your list for all of the above, it’s time for hair and makeup. Once again, the time of day in which the wedding takes place is key.

If it’s a day wedding, choose soft and natural makeup, with pink and peach tones that’ll give a delicate touch of color to your face.

On the contrary, weddings at night allow more intense makeup with smokey eyes and bright red lips.

As for the hairstyle, an updo is always a good idea: it’s timeless, elegant, and lasts longer than the loose hairstyles.

Now you’re ready to be a stunning mother of the bride!

In other articles, we’ve discussed the importance of suppliers for your business. They are its basis, especially when it comes to a dress boutique.

If you’re looking for reliable suppliers, probably you’ve heard some advice on how to choose them or how to manage your business relationships. Among all the tips out there, some are really bad and can jeopardize the quality and prestige of your dress boutique.

Here we share bad advice you can get about suppliers. Avoid them at all costs, so you can have a healthy business relationship and allow your dress boutique to thrive.

Bad Tip #1: Go for the cheapest supplier

It is said that “cheap is expensive” and it’s completely true.

It can be tempting to do business with the supplier that offers the cheapest products in the market and thus have a higher profit margin. But before doing so, it’s very important that you analyze why they sell their items at such a low price. Usually, this is because they are sacrificing something that is of utmost importance to a dress boutique: quality.

There are hundreds of suppliers that offer dresses that are pleasing to the eye, but they turn out to be of very poor quality. The fabrics are poor and the manufacturing is terrible.

If you want to have a reliable dress boutique where women want to buy and become loyal customers, you have to prioritize the quality of the dresses you sell, and for this, it’s very bad advice to go for the cheapest supplier.

Bad Tip #2: Go for the fastest supplier

Just like the previous point. Quality takes time, so the suppliers that offer to have the products too quickly are usually doing something without too much care.

This is not a general rule, some suppliers can offer quality and speed at the same time, but ultimately it’s better to consider that the right dress supplier must have enough time to supply your stock.

Bad Tip #3: Have a single supplier

It’s never good to put all your eggs in one basket, in this case, that all your stock depends on a single supplier.

The main reason is that if you have only one supplier and she fails you for some reason (time, company’s internal issues, etc.), your boutique may come down. Therefore, even if you’re pleased with a specific supplier, it’s important that you consider having more. The variety of suppliers (without exaggerating and having dozens) will make your boutique stronger.

Bad Tip #4: Impose your ideas

Humility is an extraordinary quality. Even if you know what you want for your boutique, it’s always good to take into account the experience of suppliers to make the business thrive. In other words: don’t impose your ideas just because the store is yours, be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and respect the opinion and expertise of your suppliers.

If you find a reliable supplier, it’s time to start negotiating with her. To help you in the process, you can read our article with tips for negotiating with suppliers.

The purchasing process covers the period from the first communication with the supplier until the signing of the contract. The way to a successful negotiation with a supplier is a key step in this process and can be as simple as trying to get a discount on specific orders or improve the overall costs of the products.

Negotiating with suppliers has become essential because it allows companies to reduce their costs while increasing their cash flow and profit margin. For this, buyers must negotiate lower rates with suppliers while maintaining or improving quality and service.

A necessary step to optimize your purchases is negotiating with suppliers. Here are some tips that you can implement in your next business negotiations.

Communicate

Building a lasting relationship with your suppliers is essential. Therefore, it’s necessary to communicate and exchange ideas regularly with them. By staying alert to each other’s problems and successes, the buyer can obtain excellent bargaining power during meetings.

Many buyers often make the mistake of remaining distant and cold, while, in general, when the person at the front is warm, friendly and smiling, suppliers are more inclined to make deals and negotiations.

Know your value in the eyes of the supplier

Without customers, all businesses die, so you need to determine the potential value that you represent for them.

For many companies, the cost of acquiring a new customer is high. They pay for advertising, marketing, shipping, packaging and many other expenses, just to be able to show a product. So, once there’s a potential big client in front of them, it’s in their best interest to make the necessary negotiations to strengthen that business relationship. For this reason, it’s important that you know your value as a buyer and that you make sure you let the supplier know.

Find mutual gains

It’s important to know the supplier’s objectives to identify mutual gains during negotiation. In fact, if you can’t lower the price, you can find other benefits such as a guarantee period, a discount at the end of the month, faster shipping at no extra cost, etc. This can represent very important long-term benefits.

You can also offer to make larger down payments to get a better discount on your part. Suppliers also have accounts receivable just like another business owner, so getting a strong deposit (think over 50%) can be extremely attractive to them and will increase your bargaining power.

Help save money

Treating suppliers as partners is essential to the success of a business. Whenever possible, determine how you can work with your suppliers while saving them money or time. By understanding their business model, you can place orders efficiently, which should reduce costs for everyone. This point can be important in negotiations.

Be honest

Be honest with your suppliers. If you’ve received a more interesting quote from another supplier, let them know, but don’t lie. In the end, everyone in the industry knows each other.

If you’re about to go to a cocktail party, you will want to look amazing.

Cocktail parties are so much fun as they have all the elements that a good event should have, but without being very formal. It’s a good opportunity to pamper yourself by buying a beautiful cocktail dress, doing a different hairstyle, and going a bit wild with makeup.

Are you ready to get a perfect look for your next cocktail party? Here are some tips to make it happen.

Tip 1: Cocktail dress

Cocktail dresses are characterized by being short. There are many styles and designs to choose from, so simply follow your instinct and personal taste. If the party is exclusively at night, you can choose dark colors but with a lot of sparkles and sequins. If the event starts during the day, then choose pastel colors.

The idea is that you choose a cocktail dress in which you feel comfortable but beautiful and that the style fits perfectly with your personality.

Remember that the shoes complement the look, especially in cocktail dresses, as they are seen all the time. Choose comfortable shoes with which you can dance and have fun without feeling pain in your feet. As for the color, the easiest is to wear the same tone of your dress or a neutral color like nude or silver.

Tip 2: Hairstyle for a cocktail party

The overall look for a cocktail party should be fun and glittery but at the same time with not that much of an effort. Elegance is for more formal events like prom or weddings. This night is to show your personal style in a chic way.

Thus, don’t go for an overly elaborate hairstyle. If you want to go with your hair up, do it, but make it a simple and clean bun. You can also choose to go with your hair down, but style it with some beachy waves. An ideal hairstyle is half up, which you can upgrade by curling your hair, making a braid, or adding a headband.

Tip 3: Perfect makeup for a cocktail party

A cocktail party is ideal for showing off colorful lips and impact lashes.

Don’t be afraid of intense colors, welcome the different shades of red and purple to give a fun, chic, and irresistible touch to your lips.

As for your eyelashes, they can truly change the look on your face in an instant, so be very generous with the amount of mascara that you apply —you will see how your look automatically sparkles.

For your cheeks, go for a blush with a delicate pink tone or make them glow with a bronzer.

Now you’re ready to party! Dress, hairstyle, and makeup! The important thing in a cocktail party look is to keep things feminine and fun.

Many factors and decisions can make your dress boutique successful; without a doubt, one of the most important are your suppliers.

Having the right suppliers will help you to have constant sales because you will never lack stock and you will have the certainty that you can trust in their times of distribution and problem solving related to the dresses.

The fashion industry is quite competitive, so having the right suppliers can be the difference between success and failure.

Consider the following aspects that are essential characteristics that the products of your suppliers must have and that will make your dress boutique very attractive for customers.

✦ Innovative designs

With so many fashion stores that exist – both physical and online – new designs abound and the style that is now super trendy, may be totally forgotten tomorrow. Therefore, it’s very important that your dress suppliers are innovative in their designs. It’s good to have some iconic models that never go out of style, but women always want to look different, and if you have original designs and unique dresses, you’ll be ahead of your competition.

A good recommendation on this topic is to try to build a base of loyal customers and keep them abreast of when new pieces arrive at your boutique. You can also ask for their feedback on the latest styles and designs you’re selling. This is useful for two things: to create stronger bonds with your customers and to know if the new dresses in your boutique have good sales potential.

✦ Quality of the dresses

Ok, you already have the most beautiful and original designs of the market, but what about their quality?

It’s pointless to have the most glittery and eye-catching piece if it has a poor fit on the body,  and the quality of the fabric and seams are poor.

Quality is as important as the design, so don’t go only for the sparkle. Make sure that all the materials and making are of excellent quality.

✦ Price

Of course, the price is an essential factor to take into account. If your suppliers have good prices, you can get a better profit, at the same time that you can sell the dresses at a better cost for your customers.

If you are looking for suppliers for your dress boutique, read these tips that will help you find the best ones for your business.

Your quinceañera party is coming. How exciting it is to celebrate this great moment in your life with your loved ones!

You already have the venue, informed your guests of the date and time of the big event, and planned the dance you’re presenting with your court of honor.  Now it’s time to focus on your look!

Here are some tips for a memorable quinceañera.

1. The most important element: the dress!

Quinceañera dresses are characterized by having a charming princess air, so enjoy the moment and make yours that beautiful fantasy silhouette. Choose your favorite color or dare to use a tone that you’ve never used, but that you’ve always wanted to. This is your night, and with your quinceañera dress, everything is possible!

Remember that in dresses, there are different types of necklines: halter, sweetheart, straight with spaghetti straps, strapless, etc. Choose the one that best suits your personality and that’ll be very comfortable to dance and have nonstop fun.

2. Shoes

Remember that you’re going to dance a lot, so it’s better to use very comfortable shoes. We recommend that you buy them well in advance and use them at home whenever you can. With use, shoes become looser and more comfortable. Either way, it’s always a good idea to have a change of footwear during the event –you can change your party shoes for your favorite sneakers or flats. You’ll also need them for the shoe changing ceremony!

As for the color, the most natural thing would be to choose the same tone of your dress but to give an interesting contrast, you can pick them of an opposite color. If you are wearing a light tone dress, choose dark shoes and vice versa.

3. Hair and makeup

You don’t want to have a mess in your hair by midnight, right? For that reason, it’s better that you choose a hairstyle that lasts long and that resists all the dance and jumping that you’ll be doing, in addition to all the hugs you’ll receive. To give a special touch to your hair, you can add a delicate tiara or crown.

Your quinceañera makeup must be very subtle. Whether you do it yourself or a professional does it, focus on highlighting your eyes and just give a touch of color to your lips.

We recommend that you do at least two hair and makeup tests before the big day, so you’ll know how you’ll look and won’t get any surprises.

4. Pamper yourself before the party

It’s a very special day where all your family and friends will be together. It’s normal to feel a little nervous, so the best thing is to pamper yourself before the party doing things that make you very happy. Either eat ice cream, take a walk in the park with your pet, or laugh out loud with your best friend. This will help you relax and to be ready for your big quinceañera party.

That day you’ll be experiencing a lot of adrenaline, so it’s easy to forget to eat. Please don’t do it, as it could affect your mood and condition during the celebration.

Are you ready to be the cutest and happiest quinceañera in the world?