Lingerie boutique with fitting service

Local shoppers who want professional fitting and personal service, plus gift buyers and brides-to-be.

Retail margin on products, with higher-value sales coming from well-fitted bras and repeat visits. Alterations, gift cards and bridal packages can add extra income.

• Bra fitting and knowledge of sizing
• Tactful, friendly customer service
• Buying and stock control
• Basic bookkeeping and retail management

• Local business license, sales tax registration and zoning for retail, so check with your city or county
• General liability insurance and coverage for stock and the premises
• Rent and a lease commitment before sales are proven, so negotiate terms carefully
• Unsold stock in sizes and seasons that don't move
• Fitting rooms may have to meet local building or accessibility requirements, so check before fitting out

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your lease, your fit-out and how much opening stock you buy. Treat these as estimates, and negotiate lease terms carefully since rent is committed before sales are proven.

Monthly revenue is an estimate of typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, range and how many customers book fittings. Unsold stock in sizes and seasons that don't move can reduce what you keep.

Check with your city or county about a local business license, sales tax registration and zoning for retail. Also look into general liability insurance, coverage for stock and premises, and whether fitting rooms must meet local building or accessibility requirements.