Steps to Starting a Fabric Store

Setting up a fabric store is relatively easy. The business template is straightforward and simple to implement.

You purchase the fabrics, rent a store, and furnish with shelves and stock. Although there are many players in the fabric business it readily accommodates small scale entrepreneurs.

The size of the business including volume of stock dictates the amount of startup capital required. Majority of your funds will go into purchasing fabrics. Other fund requirements are leasing a shop, building selves and rent.

How to Start a Fabric Store

• Write a business plan
• Carry out a feasibility study
• Find a good location
• Secure funding
• Find viable source for your fabrics
• Furnish store
• Market the business

Find a Good Location

Fabric stores are popular shopping destinations for the trendy. The stores displays fabrics made from different materials.

A good location is within a residential area or busy street. A Fabric store located within shopping mall will enjoy huge patronage.

You could also leverage on a popular shoppers destination with lots of human traffic. Make sure your store has an attractive layout and is visible to shoppers.

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Furnish the Store

To furnish the store you need lots of shelves. Create a small seating area, cashiers table and desk. You need a computer, printer, modem and cash register. Makes sure the shop has a storage area for your fabrics.

• Shelves
• Hangers
• Cashiers table
• Desk
• Computer
• Printer
• Modem
• Cash register
• Branded Polythene bags

List of Fabrics

A list of some fabrics includes lace material, brocade, print and batik. Others are tie-dye, jacquard, damask, wax and cotton fabric.

•  lace material
• Guinea Brocade
• Print
• Batik
• Tie-dye
• Jacquard
• Damask
• Wax
• Cotton fabric
• Flannel
• Crepe
• Chiffon
• Satin
• Velvet
• Denim

Pricing Your Fabrics

The price rage depends on they type of fabric, brand name and design. Things that contribute to price of fabric are type of material, purchase price and popularity. Others are bulk purchase, promotional discounts and transportation costs.

Staff

A small fabric store only needs the services of 2-4 staff members. You need a cashier, security personnel and sales girls.

If your store is very small hire only a sales girl. The girl should be trustworthy with marketing and interpersonal skills.

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Business Registration

Most small fabric store are proprietorship businesses. Many are owned by women and have a very simple business template.

The owner should have insurance cover and personal identification number for tax purposes. Find out the zoning requirements and acquire a trade license.

Funding

It is possible to start the business with personal savings. You could try getting a personal loan from a micro finance bank in your area. Other funding source is though partnership deals or borrowing from friends and family.

Build a Website

As a small business owner it is very important taking your business online. Some businesses have trebled their income through online resources.

Buy a domain name, get a host plan and hire someone to build your website. The website should have a shopping cart and images of your product. Drive traffic through social media or Google Adwords.

Marketing

Don’t expend too much money on marketing. You only need to attract local residents or online customers.

Use traditional marketing strategy such as printing of flyers, poster, banners and business cards. Your store should have an attractive signboard and beautiful interior.