How to Start Up a Fashion Clothing Store

By Shannon Aiken03/05/2023

How to Start Up a Fashion Clothing Store

A bohemian-inspired wardrobe solution featuring a rustic hanging rail with carefully curated clothing pieces, blending natural textures and soft fabrics for an elegant, organic aesthetic.
Written by Shannon Aiken
As Head of Sourcing and Creative, Shannon Aiken blends business acumen with creativity to produce market-leading display products.

Many online fashion retailers find it hard to branch out to start their own fashion clothing store, but knowing where to start doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep reading to discover all the tips and tricks you need to establish a successful fashion store that encourages customers to purchase and will help you build your brand.

Get to know your customers

When setting up a fashion store, it is important to understand your customers and their needs. Getting a feel of what your customers want from a shopping experience can help you set up your store...


Find your niche

The fashion industry is competitive—finding your niche can help you serve a specific audience and grow brand loyalty.

The fashion retail industry is a market that is crowded... Whether this is providing fashion lines that suit a particular demographic or catering to a subculture...

A well-organised fashion retail space with a rustic aesthetic, showcasing a selection of jeans, knitwear, and accessories on a display table, complemented by a wooden hanger stand.

Stay current and up to date with trends

One key piece of advice... keeping up to date with the latest trends in your market can prevent you from falling behind.

A contemporary boutique storefront with a stylish pastel-hued display, showcasing minimalist mannequins in sophisticated clothing, contrasted by a passerby in silhouette.

Essential equipment for a fashion retail store

Essentials include clothes rails, mannequins, mirrors, tills, and display cabinets—each contributing to both function and customer experience.
  • Clothes rails
  • Shelves
  • Hangers
  • Display cabinets
  • Pavement sign
  • Mirrors
  • Changing rooms
  • Till + Counter
  • Clothes steamer
  • Clothes display stands
  • Sales tags
  • Pricing gun
  • Storeroom supplies
  • Warehouse shelving
  • Bags
  • Giftwrapping supplies
  • Receipt paper
  • Chairs and decorative elements
  • CCTV and security system

Visually merchandising your clothing

Mannequins: Great for upselling complete outfits.

Shelving: Ideal for folded items and eye-level presentation.

Gridwall mesh displays: Use wall space for dynamic, space-saving merchandising.

A stylish monochrome window display featuring mannequins dressed in elegant fashion pieces, accessorised with hats and handbags, creating a sophisticated and modern retail presentation.

Set up your fashion store on Google My Business

Make sure your customers can find you! Getting listed on Google helps increase visibility, display reviews, and improve local SEO performance...

Top tips for setting up a fashion clothing store

  • Get to know your customers
  • Find your niche
  • Stay current and up to date with trends
  • Merchandise your clothing in a visually appealing way
  • Utilise your retail space
  • Set up your fashion store on Google My Business
Ready to bring your fashion store to life? Explore our retail display equipment to get started!
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