Do you have something unique to offer?
Yes, we offer different style of clothing in different sizes. Most importantly we focus on Indian outfits or attire because it is really hard to get Indian dresses in Canada.What would be the reasons you suggest shopping at your store?
There will be multiple reasons for the customers to shop from my store such as:
- Location: My store will be located right in the heart of the city of Terrace, which will be easily visible to the people passing by and will attract them to come inside the store.
- Quality products: Special attention and care will be given to quality in my products so that the customer does not have to face any disappointment while investing their money.
- Trending and new styles: In our store, the customers will find new trending fashion tailored clothes which will attract them to shop from us.
- Accessories: Along with the latest fashion clothes, they will also get their matching accessories inside the store.
- Budget-friendly: The items available in my store will be available at a very minimum price so that the customer does not have to think much before investing.
What type of material do you offer there are myriad options available in the market, for example, crepe, cotton, silk, chanderi, and many more? Is it high maintenance?
In my boutique, we offer quality products or items to our customers and for that, we select the best fabrics to manufacture our products. Keeping in mind the quality, we use all types of selected fabrics like chanderi or different types of silk fabrics, linen, fine cotton, crepe, and many more to make the dresses.
Not for all dresses, but dresses which are embellished (Zari work) and made with silk and linen fabrics need to be extra care.
Is there any comfort ware at a reasonable price? What are your usual payment terms or timelines?
Yes, there are plenty of items available with a reasonable price which are really comfortable such as Indian salwar kurta, t-shirts with different prints and many more.
If the customer wants to pay inside the store, then they can pay by cash and any kind of credit and debit card. For online payment also, they can use any kind of debit and credit card but not any gift card. At present, there is no facility for payment by gift card but very soon in the future, we will also provide this facility to our customers and at the same time the facility of installment payment will also be provided.
Does the store provide sustainable products?
Yes, we sell jute or hemp made items like bags, hats and many more.
Is there any return or exchange facilities available?
Yes, we offer return or exchange facilities to our online and in-store customers but at the same time it is also necessary that the original price tags and labels are attached with the garments.
Which will be the last size you are providing? Is there customization of clothes and accessories are available?
In my boutique, size will start from the extra small (S) to double excel (XXL) and also alteration and customisation is also available according to the requirements of the customers.
Yes, customization and alteration is available for any kind of clothing and accessories.
Are there any offers on bulk purchasing?
Yes, after every purchase of 2 items we offer 30% off on the next item and also provide big discount if they purchase more.
Is there any return policy on purchasing from the website? What is the expected turnaround time for my order request?
Yes, customer can return the unused items anytime without temper original labels and price tag free of cost. If a customer is ordering online then they will have to wait for at least 5-6 business days. Despite this, if a customer wants early delivery, then they will have to pay $20 extra or depend on the quantity of the products for the express delivery.
Note: for the first time of return it is free of cost, but after that customer has to pay the delivery charge from his own pocket.
Are there any extra delivery charges on home deliveries?
Well, it depends on the purchasing of goods or items. To get the free delivery of charge customer will have to spend $100, if it is below then they have to pay for the delivery charge.
Questions as an Investor
Why did you intend to open a dress store in Terrace and limit your service to BC? Do you plan to expand your service outside BC?
Well, there are plenty of reasons behind opening a dress store in this small town of Terrace, but the main reason is that there is no such boutique for Indian attire in this city from where Indian people can do their shopping for them. Most of the people order clothes from India or get them by ordering online. There is a lot of problem in ordering clothes from India or online because they do not have a good knowledge of materials or get the right fit as well. But on the contrary, when something is in front of their eyes, then they will be able to know about it better and will also be able to buy it or exchange it easily as per their need. Although, this is a new business and it always takes time to grow any new business, so initially I will keep my business limited in the Terrace and the nearest cities, but once my business is set up, I will move it further out of BC.
What you mean by “traditional clothes” mentioned in the sales and marketing plan of yours? Why would you think that introducing traditional attire in Terrace will increase your profit?
Traditional dresses refer here (Ghaghra choli, Kurti, kurta, pajamas, and many more) which are all traditional dresses of Indian culture. As I mentioned earlier there is no such boutique for Indian attire or outfits in Terrace where Indian people can go and buy clothes for themselves. When according to them all these things will be available in this small town then they will definitely come to buy and my business will profit from it. And another reason for making a profit is that there are no such boutiques like this yet available in this small town Terrace.
Who is your ideal customer?
Mainly women, who are at the age from 14 to 50 years and men and children as well.
Have you spoken to potential customers to see if there’s a need for your intended brand/product?
Yes, many customers like our products because they are at a reasonable price and the most importantly they like the fit and style and it can be customise as well according to customer’s need.
Who will be your main competitors? How will you deal with them? Who will be your three main competitors?
Our main competitors are other boutique stores, social media or online market place where already numerous brands are available. To deal with the competitors we do a deep market research and understand the market and our customers need. We offer discount and reward points to attract the customers, do promotion of the products on each platforms.
My three major competitors are:
- Other clothing stores
- Online marketplace
- Social media
What are your thoughts on sustainable products?
My thoughts on sustainable products are clear and simple, the products which does not harm the environment and can be renewable.
Which is the best way to deal with the dead stock? How will you manage with the dead stock
The best way to deal with the dead stocks are:
- Put the old and out date products on clearance sale
- Give discounts on multiple purchasing items
- Talk with the suppliers and send it back
- Donate themÂ
To deal with the dead stock we follow many strategies to sale the products, such as
- Put the items on clearance sale
- Give hefty discount on purchasing of bundle items
- Re-merchandise it with new look and style
- If it still not works then we donate it.
How will you handle when 10 or more customers contact you by the number provided on social media? Will you be able to handle all customers and their doubts about the product? Isn’t it too time-consuming to talk to them over the phone? Do you hire more people to help you attend the phone during business hours?
If a customer tries to reach us, we will answer their call but in the meantime, if we are busy, we will request them to call back and will connect back to them as soon as we are free. Yes, we will handle all our customers and try to clear their doubts. Although it will definitely be time taking, but we will give our best service to our customers so that our business can grow. By the way, apart from me in this business, there will be two more people who will help me so I do not think I need to hire more people.
Which medium of selling can you get more selling (among from online selling, website)?
Both platform is good for the business to sell the products, but this is new and small business so through online selling, our business get more selling.
How can you reduce the expenditure cost on marketing?
To reduce the expenditure cost there are several ideas need to follow:
- Run the business with a good strategy and business plan.
- Cut the un-necessary and extra costs
- Target on the right customers.
- Go slowly so it is easy to find mistakes
- Try to use free tools.
Is there a collaboration with the online selling application that will help the company?
Yes, nowadays online applications is a best choice for the small business because it makes the business easier and smooth. Anyone can promote and sell the products online easily. So, for a business like boutique this is a best platform to attract the customers.
Is the jewelry and handbags also handmade like the clothes or are you buying that from an outsider? If you are buying them from an outsider how are you ensuring that they are of good quality?
Yes, bags and jewelleries are handmade like our other products which are sourced from the Indian market. To ensure the quality of the products, first, we do a video conferencing with our vendors and try to get the details about the products, and when they are ready to manufacture the products according to our terms and conditions, after that, we asked them to send a sample of that particular product. After the sample arrives, we inspect it thoroughly so that there is no lapse in quality and then we place our order in bulk.
What will be the future strategies to compete with competitors?
To compete with the competitors the future strategies are following:
- Set a competitive price which is good for the customer as well as for the business.
- Try to get more information about your competitors and your customer and then make plans.
- Always promote brands in public.
- Provide gift cards and reward who do business with you.
- Give extra ordinary customer service.