They Want the Made in Britain Tag…but not the price tag!

often the most beautiful finish looks a mess in the making

I have spent the past few days doing some research, talking to independent boutique owners and discovering the potential for my new project.

It seems that the same problems that have existed for the past decade or so remain. The price is the foremost issue for buyers who have been so spoilt by the cheap prices of imports they are still unprepared to pay a premium for the Made In Britain Tag.  They want the kudos of the tag but not the price tag. We need fair trade for UK companies so that it is possible to pay the rents, rates, insurance, material, staff, electric and transportation costs of producing a garment in the UK.

Other areas of concern seem to be re-ordering, it seems UK designers do not carry the stock levels of our European counterparts and when a boutique wants to re-order the units are not there.

My model does account for this as it will be clearly stated that the items are limited edition, in fact often made to order based on orders taken from samples with no option to reorder.

It is difficult trying to change the habits of established businesses even when you can demonstrate that the current way of doing things is not supportive of developing UK design and manufacturing.

I have an uphill battle on my hands…but I am ready for the fight.  It is not possible to start this venture on the existing lines of either providing on a sale or return basis or making and delivering orders to boutiques and waiting 30 to 60 days for payment.  It will only work if independent boutiques are willing to place orders, pay deposits prior to manufacture and pay the balance upon delivery.

It is going to be a hard sell and the product will have to be fantastic to convince sufficient buyers to join in the venture and its very grand aims.

Naturally selling direct to the end-user is the way to go, so in the short-term I may have to consider the monies invested as my marketing budget and just get some pieces in front of the right end-wearer in order to get the name out and once they have bought a piece from their favourite boutique they will check out the web site.  It is fun… this thinking round corners lark