Online formal wear hire

Wedding guests, formal attendees and event-goers in regional and metro areas who want choice without visiting a shop.

A hire fee per outfit that includes postage both ways, plus optional extras such as a backup size, insurance or accessories.

• Product photography and listing
• Online bookings and inventory tracking
• Garment care and packing
• Customer service by email and chat

• Wrong sizes and fit returns: offer a backup size and clear size guides
• Postage delays around events: build in buffer days
• Australian Consumer Law obligations on descriptions and refunds, check with the ACCC or your state fair trading office
• Public liability and stock insurance
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold
• Cleaning and storage space for a growing stock

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website and photography, and your cleaning and storage setup. Treat these as estimates and get quotes for your own plan.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the size of your catalogue, your pricing and how many bookings you handle. Revenue is not profit, so allow for cleaning, postage and stock costs.

Check your Australian Consumer Law obligations on descriptions and refunds with the ACCC or your state fair trading office. Also check when you need to register for GST, and arrange public liability and stock insurance.