Posted on: April 27th, 2022

As we always say here at La Vida, whoever said that money doesn’t buy happiness simply doesn’t know where to shop! Boutique shopping is a unique experience that allows you to find original pieces that you wouldn’t find if you were walking round a large shopping centre. But why shop boutique instead of hitting the usual high street shops? Today we take a look at exactly why it’s so important that savvy shoppers support our boutique stores, so that YOU can learn exactly why it is that we do what we do. Read on to find out more!

So first things first - what counts as a ‘boutique’?

A boutique is a small retailer who specialises in stylish clothing, jewellery or other types of luxury goods. Compared to the larger merchandise retailers who have several product departments, a boutique is often a hidden gem of a store, stocking a deep assortment of one specific product. Whilst only selling one product might seem restricted, this actually allows customers more choice within that range. A boutique usually comprises of only one or a few physical stores or even an online presence, but this certainly doesn’t mean that they’re not worth shopping in! Boutique stores often evolve purely out of a founder's product passion rather than a mere way to make some more money, which means that when you’re supporting a small business, you’re also more likely to be supporting a business founder’s dream.

Is boutique shopping better for the community?

In a nutshell - yes! Not only does a boutique allow you to find one-off items and discover entirely new brands that you wouldn’t have come across otherwise, boutique shopping is also far more likely to have a good impact on your community. Independents breathe life, character and vibrancy to an area, and as they’re usually run by local retailers shopping at a boutique is a surefire way to give your money to smaller stores that will benefit more from the money than the larger chains. In our own experience here at La Vida, we’ve also found that independent stores are more likely to be ethical when sourcing their stock. Because boutique pieces are limited and unique, independents don’t rely on mass producers to fill their shelves and potentially run the risk of being unethical by trying to cut costs and corners.

What makes boutique shopping special?

Aside from the benefit to local retailers and the community, you can pick out one-of-a-kind pieces that are much rarer than anything you’d find in a John Lewis or Marks and Spencer. Here at La Vida for example, we make sure to pick out the type of clothing pieces that make other people stop and ask our customers where they got them. Another important aspect of boutique shopping is the people that work in the stores. Unlike larger stores stocking so many items that it’s unlikely that an assistant will have an in-depth knowledge of each and every item they sell, boutique retailers tend to know everything about their products and what would suit each customer that walks through the door or heads to their website.

Customer service is key for these smaller retailers, and it really does make all the difference to the shopping experience! With fashion, reviews and specs are less important; fashion shopping is about discovering something that fits your taste and feels right. This is precisely what an independent retail assistant could help you with, which is why it’s a great way to find new products to explore.

Original Article: https://lavidaboutique.co.uk/blogs/news/why-go-boutique-the-true-benefits-of-boutique-shopping

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