It's been about 2 months and a bit now, and I guess time's pretty much up and I still don't have a real launch date. It's a little (actually, very) sad, and I guess I feel a little (a lot) disappointed with it not "all happening" right now. Regardless, the boutique will launch within the next two or so months.
The reason for the delay is actually due to getting the perfect stock for our first ecommerce launch. We want it to be perfect- not just stuffed with random
(emergency) stock that we could instantly get hold of.
(I mean, if we were to sell anything we could get hold of, then I guess the 3 months deadline would have probably been possible... actually, we wouldn't even need 3 months... you just need to set up an e-bay account, and you're good to go!)
Now I don't know if you've read in a previous post- but I explained how we have our own design team who creates our own product ranges. Having our own custom designs makes everything so much more difficult (actually, just slower). But. We're not here to just trade other people's products, we're here to share our concepts and fun designs.
Why are custom designs slower?
Let me explain.
As a consumer, you probably wouldn't think about where your product came from, it's supply chain, and how it got to your favourite retail store.
Well. There are a million steps & Here's a fairly broken down breakdown.
Design> Modification> Approal> Merchandiser and Factory Commmunicates> Sample> Approval> Production> Packaging> Distribution> Retailer> Distribution> Consumer
Depending on the satisfaction of each stage, there may be A LOT of repeats at some stages- e.g. Sample. (Sampling always takes a long time).
From the above breakdown- you'll can see how I highlighted the stages in two colours.
The beginning of the strip in pink, the later strip in purple.
If your business were to TRADE (i.e. buy ready to go products directly from wholesalers), then you'll be able to skip the first pink stage, and start directly at the production stage. That's a lot of stages (time) saved.
So as for the delay of the shop launch. I hope I've explained.
In simpler words. Which can you get hold of faster? A Tailored shirt? Or a shirt off the shelf from Zara? Both not bad, but which fits you better?
Customized goods takes longer- but they will be exactly what you want, not an averge of what everybody else wants.
Voila.
To those who aren't so psyched with supply chain management...
here's what a French 招き猫 (Maneki Neko Cat) looks like.
I found him at Monsieur Chatte, now my favourite lunch hang out.
They sell lovely French Teas in Stoneware pots.
I loved my Honey flavoured yoghurt in this cute pot (this was a couple of days ago).
On the even more Frenchy side. I went to Agnes B (initially to get more inspiration and check out their packaging idea...but ended up sitting down for a coffee and lasagne).
Check out their pretty flowers!
Have a nice evening!
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