Start a Boutique

What is a boutique business?

A boutique is usually a shop offline or online to sell clothes, accessories, fabric etc. The fashion and apparel industry is one of the fast-growing industry and the best part about this business is, it requires minimal setup.

What do you need to know for starting a Boutique?

Depending on the kind of boutique industry you wish to run, you may require the following:

• Shop - As per the Business law in India, every business must have a registered office. The boutique business is not limited to shops now, you can run your business online as well. You can also use your residential address to register your Business under the Shop and Establishment Act.

• Business Registration - To carry on a business in India, the sellers have to register as a company, one person company, partnership or as a franchise.

• Trademark Registration - If you wish to have your unique identity, you can get a unique logo designed and registered in your business name. This is beneficial in the long run because the trademark not only carries an identity but also becomes an assurance of the quality and trust that you serve to your customers.

• GST registration - Every business entity in India has to get the GST registration done. To run a business, the GST number is not only mandatory but the customers, well aware of their consumer rights, would wish to see the GSTN on the receipt or bill of the products.

• Copyright Registration - If you have made some unique designs and want to prevent that from being copied by anyone else, you must get the design copyright registered.

• PAN registration - PAN registration is necessary for the seller for tax filing.

Employees in A Boutique

Some boutiques have a workshop and employ several workers. When the number of workers crosses a prescribed limit, the boutique has to get these registrations done:

• TAN Registration- TAN registration is applicable only when you have several employees who are eligible to get tax deducted at the source.

• EPF registration - As per the labour law in India, every organisation must register under EPF when the employee strength is 20 or more.

• ESIC Registration - If the boutique has employed 10 or more employees, the organisation must get ESIC registered.

• Permits from Local Municipality - There are certain permits that the local municipal corporation provides. For example, some areas are strictly residential and no business is allowed over there. If you wish to start your workshop at your garage, you may require a NOC from the local authority.

• License From Pollution Control Board - Chemical dye is a common element that the fashion and apparel industry uses. When you are using those, the proper treatment of waste is necessary to ensure that your factory is not causing an unhealthy neighbourhood. For that, as per the law of the state, you may require to submit a report and let the Pollution Control Board authorities inspect the workshop at timely intervals.

Along with the required legal registration and compliances, you can give your boutique a desired look and adopt the best suitable business strategies.