imprint started this topic @ 16:48 on 02/07/2006
Hello.
I'm interested in starting a fashion website and I'm looking for some info and figures on brands and accounts. Despite my efforts I'm finding it very hard to get any info and figures so if anyone here could help it would be great.
> Accounts?
Being a website as opposed to a shop and being new seems to be a problem. Is it still possible despite these factors and what kind of rules and regs normally apply? Will there be large pay upfront minimum spends required for new customers?
> Mark ups / Discounts?
Is there a general figure applied in the industry or does it vary from brand to brand and on depend on quantity? I've heard everything from 75% off retail to just 25% off retail. The former figure is great and the latter not so great!
> Anyone with specific knowledge of sportswear, street and skate brands?
Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Stussy, Vans, X-Large and so on.
I did post a similar question a week or two ago but got no replies so perhaps I didn't word it well. Brands are so cagey when contacted and give no proper info out so it's something of a catch 22 for a new business it seems.
Cheers
RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Jonny | 02/07/2006 09:33 PM
Imprint - just read this and can give you some pointers but I am a bit stuck for time right now.
If I have not replied by tuesday afternoon then please send me a PM to remind me!!
J
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RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Paul J5Design | 02/07/2006 11:06 PM
Hi Imprint,
Although its a nice mix of brands you might want to try going for a more niche market. If I was you I would concentrate on the small brands and once you have a successful business you will have a lot more credibility with the larger companies.
Why not try with just the skate/street brands and then build up?
Stussy and X-Large are big but would be worth a try. Vans are huge (part of the VF Corp- let me know if you want the contact) but often work with independents. You could then have some fun picking out some smaller ones who have potential, to add to your range.
There are loads of trade shows like T.B.C, Bread and Butter and The Park where you can see product from smaller companies. Brands like Zoo York, Staple Design, Addict, Atticus are all big at the moment and can more than hold their own as accounts, and there are loads of even smaller ones with good product as well. Minimums would be a lot smaller, the product can be more exciting and often the people will be good to deal with.
Hope thats a help. Feel free to pm me and I'm happy to pass on any info that might be of any use.
Paul
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www.newoxygen.co.uk Activewear For Women
RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Cleojewellery | 03/07/2006 02:12 PM
Hello Imprint,
I'm fairly new to this area too.
Feel free to email me on cleo@cleojewellery.co.uk, I might be able to help with what I've learnt so far!
Carolyn
RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
kate | 04/07/2006 11:26 AM
Hi. Im researching an online swimwear shop and this is exactly the type of information I'm looking for.
Johnny/Paul could you also send me the info on pricing mark ups and minumums?
Thanks
Kate
RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
imprint | 04/07/2006 01:58 PM
Thanks to everyone for your replies!
Jonny, Nice site. Look forward to reading you reply.
Paul, I listed the bigger brands as I wasn't sure if people would know the smaller brands! We are also interested in brands like Silas and Tonite for example (although brands like Zoo York and Addict we also like). Most brands will actually be smaller and more niche but it would be nice to have a few bigger brands (for financial and image reasons).
We had some email contact with Vans and Lee (also VF Corp). They were both nice but worked on the assumption that we would be a real store. When we explained that we would be online only we never got a reply from either! If you could let me know about the contact for them it would be great by the way.
Some other contact with bigger brands got a mixed response from very nice to very rude. At that point I thought I'd take a little time out to try and understand the market better and get figures for the business plan (I'm raising funds while my business partner is the one with the general street fashion knowledge and is developing the website).
The smaller brands we have not contacted yet as we wanted to have a more polished approach. We are now trying to get the site up and running as well as we thought that brands would prefer to be able see something rather than being told of something. A little bit of a chicken and egg situation maybe.
Are trade shows like B&B easy to get in to if you are not yet in the trade? It sometimes feels like starting in fashion is like breaking into a secret society!
Corolyn, nice site, very slick. I'll get in with you touch soon.
Cheers everyone.
RE: RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Paul J5Design | 05/07/2006 01:45 PM
Hi Imprint,
The more established trade shows can be difficult to get into if you're new to the business. The smaller ones often just ask for a business card and you are through the door smiling!
I think B&B is one of the more tricky ones. They will often ask you to supply references from brands that you stock, which can be tricky if youre just starting out.
I can give you advice from one angle (I was a designer at one of the big sportswear companies until a couple of months ago), so dealing with the brands, trend forcasting and that stuff I can help with.
As far as online business is concerned you can probably get info by trawling through the site (its helped me a lot). One other thing, it might be worth emailing me for any questions that are to do with clothing, as it might be getting a bit specific for a Start Ups forum.
Best of luck with it.
Paul
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www.blockshop.co.uk Suncare and Skin Protection for the Elements
www.newoxygen.co.uk Activewear For Women
RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Mattley23 | 05/07/2006 03:56 PM
Hi Imprint,
I can probably help you quite a bit mate. I set up and ran my own skate/snow clothing brand for 2 years before selling it on for a profit. I initially looked at setting up a similar type shop so did a bit of research on the skate brand industry.
Drop me a PM and ill answer any questions you may have
Matt
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RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Toon | 07/07/2006 08:32 PM
Hi imprint.
Research is the key. New businesses don't have the finance to purchase large amounts so perhaps going straight to the manufacturer is not your best bet - plus they would normally want you to have your own premises.
We can supply you with some small lots of clothng and sunglasses to get you started if you wish. We were once in your shoes and now have our own premises and accounts with some big brands such as Billabong, Lonsdale etc.
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Designer & Sports Clothing @ Red Hot Prices
www.devilwear.co.uk
RE: Fashion business questions (accounts / mark ups etc)
Paul J5Design | 07/07/2006 08:44 PM
Toon,
I have seen for myself how difficult it seems to be for people to start new accouts. Are there wholesalers out there that sell branded stock (like the kinds of brands you stock) and is it standard for shops to approach other shops to buy from?
Its interesting, there must be loads of people in the same position imprints in.
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www.blockshop.co.uk Suncare and Skin Protection for the Elements
www.newoxygen.co.uk Activewear For Women
