Want to open a vintage shop?

Vintage

Ok so I am looking for some advise. I want to open up a Vintage shop where I live as we dont have any. I am willing to put in alot of time and effort to make this work but I need to know where to start? How much money would I need to start off with? Would this be borrowed money or would we be better saving it? Me and my partner both have full time jobs and I was going to leave work and my partner would stay so we would still have an income.
I have done some research and I have see a few places in the UK that do wholesale Vintage clothes. Does any1 know where else to look??

thanks in Advance..

P...

JDLK

Not being smart but what is a "vintage" shop?

Is it a shop that sells items from a certain period (a bit like a specialised antiques shop) or new products styled on a certain period?

Vintage

Sorry i should have said Vintage Clothes shop;) anything up to the 80's

shawnee

Suggest you go to another town or city that has a similar shop and talk to the owners. As long as you are not too near or likely to cause competition most people will be happy to advise you.;)

Vintage

Yes well I was thinking of doing that for stock etc but doesn any1 have a rough idea on how much money is needed opening up a small business? Ive seen a place to rent 12K a year and location is perfect.

FusionNet

Hi Vintage,

I may be wrong here but I feel maybe people arent giving great advise here as you have basically asked a way to vague a question. Opening small shops can vary from 5 grand to 100000 grand. These all depend on:

Rent
Location
City
size of shop
fit out costs
stock costs
technology costs
rates
insurance
advertising

etc etc etc. People here are very willing to help you out and give you information and advise but you must make more of an effort on your end. You cant ask people to basically give you a business plan here!! Maybe do a little more research and ask more detailed questions.

antoinolachtnai

If I were you, I would take a while (as in a good while) to plan this out. The most important thing (in my view) is to get to know a network of people who will buy stuff from you and refer other customers to you. For specialty retail outside the big smoke, I think this is really important. At the most basic level, knowing these people and knowing what they like will guide your buying. You will also need help with buying - I wouldn't think it would be a very good idea to go and buy a bunch of vintage stock on your own.

You need to figure out how to finance this. Obviously, you need to save some money. Also, you might be able to borrow a little from the bank. But you also need to see if you can get the wholesalers to fund some of the stock for you. To do this you will need to build up relationships with them over a period.

Rags is not a business I know an awful lot about, so take that advice with a pinch of salt. (Mind you, this advice does come with a money-back guarantee.)

CallieO

Why not sell online as well?

Would you consider vintage textiles as well?


How are you planning to source your stock?

a-hemvintage

There are LOTS of factors to consider and it is definitely not as easy as just acquiring funding and shopping for clothes all the time. I needed a good business plan about 10K but probably could have used more. Good credit is definitely helpful (especially now). Your location (geographically and a physical retail store) are really important in acquiring product and establishing a clientele, and also what you price your things at. I am in the Midwest, whereas I could charge 3-5 times as much for my garments if I had a retail shop in L.A. or NYC or Harajuku.

I currently own a vintage clothing store. If you want some more in-depth advice I'd be happy to oblige; if you want to check out my store's website and shoot me an e-mail from there. I'm the only one that checks it. Same as my user name.

NiallMH

IMO , fairplay for getting this far , but correct if im wrong as I have no expierence in Business what so-ever , but i cant see this making money. Instead of paying 12K rent on a shop , make a very clear easy to use website , spend a large chunk on advertising and get a good delivery company , but get a cheap small sized warehouse or storage place/unit/building!
I just dont see the shop "model" if you will actually making money and internet shopping becoming easier and more trustworthy , especially in the recession that nobody shuts up about!
Now look im only 14 but thats honestly what I think but my word is no where near as trustworthy as somebody with expierience!