Fashion Buying `101

So I just posted a picture of one of my spring buys from my phone. Obviously, apparently I can't turn the picture so oops! This is from a line called Chili Pepper.. I met with the vendor yesterday am .. I am buying for spring so the ship dates are for March and April... what I have found is that I cannot let myself get bullied into buying stuff that I don't want. That was difficult for me at first but I have gotten a lot tougher! haha! So I bought about 4 styles split between two ship dates. I never buy a lot from any one line as unless I really really love it all, I just cannot get myself to commit that much $. Plus, it gives me more variety. These style will retail for around $140 plus I think. I am also meeting with another vendor for another line on Friday.

I will keep you posted on that one. I really like the line and it would fit in my store really well so I am psyched to see what she has to show me. That is the fun part of owning a store- seeing the upcoming trends and predicting what your customers will like. It is also the difficult part in a way because (especially in a small store like mine) you are putting your $ on the line that your customes will like your taste! hahah! If they don't, not only your ego is hurt but so is your wallet! And that my friends, can be the difference between making it and going out of business.

Tomorrow: Retailers store meeting at 9:30 am to discuss future marketing plans and a VERY long day..

One of my spring buys! Cute!

My first post

So I am new to this blogging thing and frankly have absolutely no idea what I am doing.. ha! A little about me.. I have a store in Scottsdale AZ that has been in business about 10 months. Could I pick a more difficult time to start a retail store? My store is in a "Fred Segal" style center where all the stores are little boutiques all next door to each other. Literally- as in you can walk from one area (store ) into the next area (store) without leaving the building. If you don't know what the concept is, it can be kinda weird. Like, I can't run up sales from the store next door you know? Anyway, this whole retail thing is kinda new for me, so anyone out there, feel free to give me advice! haha..but be nice! I intend to use this blog to post about my problems (but I prefer to call 'em "challenges.") At the very least, maybe someone else can learn from my mistakes and/or I can get help too.

My store is a women's clothing boutique and I sell contemporary lines. Actually I have a mix of designers, and my price point is anywhere from about $70 - $350.00. I have tried to mix it up as it is such a crappy economy and everyone seems to be watching their $$$$...some of the lines I carry are Hale Bob, Soul Revival, Paco Chicano and a bunch of lesser known ones. I really prefer to stay away from all the bigger labels. The opening orders seem to be so big and honestly, I like finding the stuff that others don't know about. Oh, and I make my own jewelry. I sell it at my store and am actually trying to get everything in place to do a website. The line is called Velvet Edge and I have a page right now on my store site. My stuff is kinda bling-y and I think it is fun to wear.

So that is it for now.. I'll probably be posting about my money woes, delayed orders, what a retailer's day is like (boy, THAT one should be fun), just about anything that has to do with a retailer's life. Oh, and also my life... see ya! the Retail Chick