Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a boutique and your average retail store? The one difference that most people probably know is that boutiques will cost more. That point alone may stop people from wanting to even enter one. 

For those interested and passionate about fashion, that could be a mistake. A boutique is an excellent resource for style seekers. How else are boutiques different from everyday clothing stores? The answers may surprise you.

Boutiques are More About Passion than Business

If you use Google to search the familiar phrase, “boutique clothing store near me,” you may find a shop or two in your area. You may not know that even though the price tags are higher, a boutique is more about passion than business.

Don’t believe me?

Think about your average big chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart. Those stores cater to the general public and will attract more customers. 

On the other hand, boutiques are much smaller and carry specific niche items. They cater to a particular, much smaller clientele. The things that the boutique sells are also much more challenging to find. Considering these points, it’s easy to see why boutiques would have to charge more.

If the boutique owner wanted to target the general demographic, they would have opened a store like Target, Wal-Mart, or something similar. Boutique owners must be passionate about fashion because they know they will attract fewer customers. 

They do it for the love of the medium, not big business.

“Style Educators”

According to Forbes, one of the reasons why boutiques are still successful is because the staff is more like “style educators.” Many customers may not know the ends and outs of dressing themselves in a more empowered way. That’s where a boutique can really set itself apart from other retailers.

The boutique staff can teach their clientele about accessories, color, fit, and more. Not only does a customer leave with some new clothing items, but they also gain knowledge they can use to their advantage. 

This experience is much more beneficial than shopping at your local big chain.

Boutiques may cost more than your average store, but their true draw is how they make the customer feel after they leave. They ensure the customers leave with more than just a few clothing items. Boutiques give their clientele a whole educational experience.