Requirements checklist
What to ask for when choosing software for boutiques.
A checklist built from how boutiques work, to print or save as a PDF and bring to any supplier meeting.
What the software should cover
Tick each one that matters to your business.
- Client file with measurements
- Holds and approval pieces
- Alteration and tailoring jobs
- Fitting-room appointments
- Designer consignment and buy-in stock
- Deposits and made-to-order balances
Roles that need their own access
Who logs in, and what each person may see or change.
- For the boutique owner
- For stylists
- For the seamstress or atelier
- At the front counter
Reports to ask for
Ask to see each one with your own sample data.
- Sales by designer and by stylist
- Consignment sold, unsold and owed by designer
- Pieces on hold and approval, with expiry dates
- Alteration jobs outstanding and trials due
- Deposits taken and balances due on special orders
- Clients with no purchase this season
- Pieces tried and liked but not bought
Systems it may need to connect to
Note which ones you already run.
- SMS
- Card terminal
- Accounting export
- Label printer
Questions for any vendor
Put these to every supplier you are comparing.
- Does the client file hold measurements for tailoring?
- How does a hold differ from a sale?
- Can I send a piece out on approval?
- How are designer consignment sales settled?
- Can an alteration be charged separately from the garment?
- Can deposits be taken on a special order?
- Can we message clients about fittings and collections?
- We have both bought and consigned stock. Does that cause trouble?
- How much would it cost for our boutique?
- Who owns the client information afterwards?
Where the work usually breaks today
Circle the ones you recognise. They set the order of the project.
- Client preferences live in the stylist’s head
- Held pieces block other sales
- Alteration slips go missing
- Consignment accounts are settled late
- Deposits sit outside the sale
Prefer to talk it through? See the boutiques page.