Blog: Why do people enter retail?

Do some parents only open shops so their kids can have exclusive wardrobes?

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What inspires someone to get into retail in the first place? The question is prompted by this week's Indicator survey of kidswear retailers (see Drapers January 12).

One thing that provoked particularly animated responses was when our pollsters broached the subject of why these shops opened.

Many kidswear retailers were scathing about the start-ups that launch on the back of new-found parenthood. One in particular said how such new mums (it is usually women, apparently) only open shops in order to have access to exclusive wardrobes for their kids.

Other kidswear retailers seem to be those that have worked in an environment exposed to young families and have spotted a niche for a good business. For example, a few had worked in kindergartens and nurseries. But these were the most damning when it came to the young mum syndrome.

Oddly, those riled were not bothered by the competition and viewed these other businesses as barely relevant. Instead they were concerned with the integrity of the trade and hated the fact that others were so much less professional – in their perceptions – and felt that it reflected poorly on them.

So what got you started? And how does the attitude of other indies reflect on your business?