Industry Overview of Women's Clothing
The word ‘boutique’ covers many industries. There are clothing boutiques, jewelry boutiques, perfume boutiques, boutique hotels and others. The most popular form of boutique is clothing. Most designers have boutique shops that cater to sophisticated tastes. Boutiques are for niche products. Gucci’s boutiques alone grossed over $2.4 billion in 2008.
Walking into a boutique gave shoppers a special feeling. Boutiques tend to treat their customers as special guests, as opposed to merely ‘shoppers’ as viewed by department stores.
Many of the finest boutiques in New York are located along Fifth Avenue. Most of the major designers have their clothing boutiques in this city. In Dallas boutiques, the designers have another type of customer and vary the designs to fit the client. Many celebrities and business men and women find shopping in boutiques less stressful because of personal service and less crowded conditions.
A new form of hotel has opened in certain cities around the country. Boutique hotels are much smaller, more intimate and provide more service than their larger counterparts. In New York City, many boutique hotels are located in high volume business areas, such in or near the financial district and near the fashion district.
Industry Trends
The boutique has gone online, just as so many other businesses. From Prada to Victoria’s Secret, it is now possible to order the same designer clothes or special lingerie over the internet. Online catalogues are now available to all designers’ clients.
Brand Names
Dior, Vera Wang, Gucci, Prada and others have opened boutiques in several cities globally.