Suggestions on opening boutique in Ernakulam

Discussion in 'Cochin' started by Rej, May 12, 2009.

  1. Rej

    Rej New IL'ite

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    Hi all, I am a new Ilite and not very regular as well. but whenever i am in doubt I browse through most of the threads and my questions are usually answered somewhere. I need help with your opinions and inputs. My husband and I are planning on opening a boutique in ernakulam. Since I was brought up in north india and now live in the emirates I have very little knowledge of what kind of clothes malayalee women like.

    In our boutique we plan to stock up on salwar kameez, kurtis, some indo western designed by my friends, combined with lingerie, shoes, handbags and accessories. basically for metro women,who want to be as stylish as their counterparts in the 4 metros.

    My questions are:
    1. Do western clothes sell in kochi/ernakulam areas?
    2. Do malayalis like bling bling or simple clothes?
    3. How much will a college student spend on a dress?
    4. How much will a working woman spend on a dress?
    5. what is the latest trend?
    6. What do urban women in kerala want in terms of clothes,style or pricing?
    7. What is lacking in the boutique scene in kochi/ernakulam?
    8. will lingerie sell?

    sorry for so many questions... will appreciate your ideas on this! thanks in advance :)!!
     
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  2. archana820

    archana820 Bronze IL'ite

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    hi rej,
    hi i dont know much about people in kochi but i know about things in trivandrum .so i can tell you about things in general.the answer for you is
    1. western not much like backless types will not go .
    2. i think mixed opinion there i mean both.
    3. i think may be 500 rs
    4.working women around 250 to 1000 rs
    5.no idea
    6.they want both my dear first cost .

    this is what i think i do my shoping in trivandrum.
    bye
    archana
     
  3. neets

    neets Silver IL'ite

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    i belong to cochin,but i am not able to give strong opinions to answer your questions,as i have not spend my time at cochin,but i can tell from what i have seen from friends and the mass that i come across when at city.


    As cochin is a cospolitan city i am definetdly sure your stuff will sell.
    the long,oversize and gross idea of dressing and selection of clothes have definetdly changed over the years.

    You can count on cochin college students,those working in IT companies you can count on that.I was working in bangalore and with each visits to cochin ,i could see the young people attire changing more openly,i was suprised to see the bangalore kind of crowd here... so its changing.
     
  4. Rej

    Rej New IL'ite

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    dear archana,neets thanks for that, these pointers really help me now as I am putting together my business plan.

    thanku
     
  5. cukz

    cukz New IL'ite

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    Hi!
    Kochi really needs a place like the type you are planning. Although I am no fashion expert, let me answer your questions from what I've seen in the city in the past 1 year:
    1. Yes, western clothes do sell but Ernakulam area is a better bet than Kochi.
    2.Mallus generally prefer simple clothes with lot of GOLD jewellery, but all that is chnaging, now most of the hep crowd tries to dress like they do in metros.
    3 and 4- I am CLUELESSbonk
    5. For the latest trends, I suggest you go to the following places and observe the ladies:

    • Oberon Mall
    • Bay pride Mall
    • Marine drive
    • Shridhar theatre
    • MG Road
    • Area near St. Teresa's college
    • Kochi technopark
    these should give you a rough idea.
    The rest of the questions...I'm sorry, I do not know:confused2:
    Well, hope I helped little:)
    All the best:thumbsup
     
  6. platinumsweet

    platinumsweet Gold IL'ite

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    hii
    western cloths u can sell in cochin.
    malayalies wear bling bling cloths only on occations. now its getting hot day by day. so majority of the people love to wear cotton. kalamkari type material since its easy to maintain and comfortable too.
    the spending trend almost changed now a days. a good decent dress will be more than rs. 1000. but if u can manage to sell less than that there will be good business.
    latest trend is cotton kurties shot top etc.
    ernakulam there is a lot of boutgiques. if u can manage to set up one in kottaym that will be more hit. since tehre are not much and kottayam is developiing every day.
    whatever is there they are having good business too. i personally know some of the boutique owners in kottayam.
    and more than ready made selwar. concentrate on selwar sets. girls prefer to stitch their dresses to perfect size.
    if u can find a tailor who can handle emergency will be a bumber hit. many famous shops in ernakulam and kottam doing that service too.
    good luck
    ani
     
  7. Rej

    Rej New IL'ite

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    thanks ani & cukz, i ve been doing the rounds here at boutiques to see what sells, but definitely trends will be diff in ernakulam. ernakulam remains the choice of place cos my family and inlaws are there and kottayam i know very little about. also i want to keep plus sizes, and some jaipur stuff and party wear. i have been told that party wear is very limited in kochi ernakulam.
     
  8. platinumsweet

    platinumsweet Gold IL'ite

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    yah u are right.. party wear are rare. and jaipur stuffs are good also. do let us know once u open the boutique.
    we can pass by
    regards
    ani
     
  9. Rej

    Rej New IL'ite

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    hehehe..:thumbsupu r on!

    but i suspect at the earliest its going to take me atleast a couple of months to get started. i am working on my business plan now, by month end i hope to have my financial plan ready. next min. 2 week internship at my pal's boutique, loan application etc... just getting to know the ropes and so on. will keep you all posted and meanwhile do keep bouncing off ideas. I love it! :cheers cheers!
     
  10. cukz

    cukz New IL'ite

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    Hi Rej!
    That's great idea, do let me know when it opens up.
    Plus sizes are a great choice too, as very few cater to it.
    Another thing I would suggest is plus sizes for shorter people as most mallus are not too tall but most of the plus sizes cater to women with Punjabi kind of build....
    Btw, are you planning on maternity wear too? We have very little options for would-be or new mothers here and the few that are there are too atrociously priced and the range is limited. I searched when my sis-in-law was expecting.
     

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