As the temperatures heat up and people begin planning to destinations with warm weather, individuals search wistfully for swimwear options that fit their personalities and body types. Furthermore, the searches for bikini and swimwear reach the highest point on all the search engines from June to August. Therefore, to plan an online or brick-and-mortar swimwear shop would absolutely be a very good choice of business.

But the question is how to run the online and brick-and-mortar swimwear shop so it would be a success? The followings are what experts share their views with us:

Step 1:

This will largely depend on the start-up budget you have for your swimwear business, since a brick-and-mortar operation is more costly. If you opt for a brick-and-mortar location, hire a real estate agent with commercial experience to help you scout locations for your swimwear shop.

Step 2:

Determine the target market you want your swimwear shop to attract. Your shop can specialize in fashions for women, only offers high-end designer brands or feature swimwear for any member of the family. Your target market will affect other decisions you make as you set up your swimwear shop such as the types of brands you carry, your product pricing and the strategies and tactics you use to bring customers into your shop. Select new bikini brand like Relleciga or Colloyes would give you a head start because these new brands are less costly to stock and they catch the eyes of customers.

Step 3:

Come up with a catchy name for your business. Think of a slogan that your customers would remember ad obtain a reseller's permit that allows you to sell swimwear through your shop.

Step 4:

Work with your real estate agent to finalize a location for your swimwear shop. Ideally, you want to be in a place where people will already be heading to do summer shopping or seasonal vacationing. Lease a physical location in or near a mall, sporting goods shop or camping goods shop. For tight budgets, consider a mall kiosk. Mall kiosks can be ideal for seasonal goods.

Step 5:

Purchase supplies and equipment to finalize the layout of your swimwear shop, from shelves to racks and display cases, you need to arrange the shop so that it's uncluttered and your inventory is displayed to allow customers to readily browse through style and sizes.

1. Displaying factors

   The swimwear is displayed by categories, such as monokinis, bikinis, sport bikini...; and by the color, from light color to darker color.

2. Lamplight factors:

   Lamplight dominates in the shop, because it is greatly affect people’ feeling to the shop. We suggest soft light is appropriate, such as yellow light. It makes customers feel warmer and comfortable.

3. The fitting room factors:

   The fitting room is very important as it affects customer’s buying decision greatly. The experts suggest that the fitting room be decorated to make it comfortable and easily to use. In a clever tailoring, a piece of good looking swimwear can flatter the costumers’ figures. So it isn’t only for swimming, but also something that brings out their confidence and pride. Do not rush them when they are trying on their favorite piece. Put more mirrors in the fitting room so that they could see it from all angles. Make sure they have a wonderful moment in the fitting room which gives them a reason to buy.

Step 6

A website with online purchasing capabilities is essential if you plan to operate your business fully or partially online. Wella Lingerie offers a service called TURNKEY SOLUTION, which helps you create a professional ecommerce website, taking orders and ship the goods directly to your customers.

Step 7

Post advertisements on local job boards if you plan to hire sales associates for your swimwear shop. Aim for individuals who have experience in retail sales. Train them so that they know how to interact with your customers and successfully close sales. And you also learn to use facebook, twitter etc, which will increase the sale.

Step 8

Host a grand opening event at your location, and invite local fashion bloggers, designers and leaders in the business community to a beach-themed extravaganza with food, cocktails and a fashion show. This will help you introduce your business to the community.

Step 9

Moving the free line is what you need to do in this internet century. Hold competitions to give away as many free bikinis as possible. You could do this on facebook to attract a lot of fans! This is an advertisement cost that would immediately translate audiences into customers. Once they feel that they are getting more valuable things from you, they would help spread your business and it would go viral!