Highland dress shop and hire

Wedding parties, event guests, Scottish clubs and pipe bands, dancers and their families, and visitors looking for Scottish gifts.

Hire fees and bonds, outright sales of kilts and accessories, and paid alterations. Selling as well as hiring helps through quieter months.

• Knowledge of tartans and Highland dress
• Fitting and basic alterations
• Retail sales and customer service
• Stock control and bookings

• Check with your local council about planning and business use of the premises
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance
• Workers compensation insurance if you hire staff, which varies by state
• Rent and stock are big fixed costs and sales are seasonal, so test demand first (for example at a market or Highland games)
• Check customs duty and GST rules if you import stock

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and how much stock you hold for sale and hire. Rent and stock are big fixed costs, so consider testing demand at a market or Highland games first.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, hire bookings and sales. Sales are seasonal, so revenue can vary through the year and rent and stock costs come out of it.

Check with your local council about planning and business use of the premises. Also check public liability, stock and contents insurance, workers compensation if you hire staff (which varies by state), and customs duty and GST rules if you import stock.