Editor’s note: This article was first published in November 2010, ahead of Christmas and during Spain’s economic crisis; the prices it cites (€300 to buy an outfit, €30–50 to rent one) and the claim that a maternity rental business would be a first in Spain are from that year.
Clothing is still a very profitable business, although, as we have discussed before, you need to change your approach. Below are some clothing-related business ideas that we can give their first push this Christmas.
On the one hand, you will have seen shops that specialise in renting dinner jackets and party outfits. On the other, you will have heard of places that rent out maternity clothes, although I have to say that this business is not yet very widespread. We are going to try to build a business based on clothing rental, but on a large scale and with a wide range of services.
Why is this business profitable, and what is our best sales pitch?
A clothing rental service offers many benefits to the customer who uses it, all the more so in times of crisis. Many consumers cannot afford to spend much, but that does not mean we can skip social events, parties and gatherings where we are expected to look our best.
Two particular nights are coming up: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. This year, spending €300 on an outfit for one particular night, which we will not wear again for six months or a year, may be an unnecessary expense. So paying €30, €40 or €50 and still enjoying a luxurious outfit will be a great draw for shops in this line of business.
On the other hand, as every woman knows, a pregnant woman has to change her wardrobe progressively, and in money terms, let’s just say that pregnancy ends up being expensive when it comes to clothes. That is why the idea of renting maternity clothes can be a good complement to our business.
The first shops are already appearing that offer a kind of “flat rate” on maternity clothes: in exchange for a monthly fee during the nine months of pregnancy, the expectant mother can have whatever clothes she needs as her pregnancy progresses.
If you manage to bring this business to Spain, you will be a pioneer.
Further reading on clothing business ideas
- Clothing business ideas
- Importing clothes from India, a profitable business
- Business ideas in leisure and tourism
Featured image: Clem Onojeghuo clemono2, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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