Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Overview
De Kliek Style Studio is an upscale women's clothing boutique that will open in July this year.
De Kliek, which means "the clique" or "circle of friends" in Dutch, defines the boutique and its
essence of inclusion. De Kliek's clothing selections and exclusive personal style services, which
include a detailed Style Assessment, will ensure that our customers are well dressed. De Kliek is
a woman-owned business currently organized as a Sole Proprietorship.
Management
With over 12 years experience in marketing and retail, owner Vrootje Magen has gathered the
expertise to complement and grow the business. Our advisory team holds expertise in retail
accounting, retail merchandising, legal contracts, fashion and design. A detailed project plan has
been created and all tasks are on schedule. Buying for the Fall/Winter season was completed in
April, and store design and marketing elements are currently being finalized.
Finance
• Start-up costs include inventory for the first month, and are estimated at $132,700 of
which the owner will inject 31.4%. Current owner investments are documented at
approximately $41,700, of which $12,700 is in savings and checking. An additional
injection of approximately $8,700 will occur by July 15 of Year 1.
• Annual gross sales are projected to grow from $513,000 in the first year to over $600,000
by Year 3, with approximately 10% from customer special orders. These Sales
forecasts are approximately three-quarters the average of benchmarked Los Angeles
boutiques. Net profits are expected at approximately 6% through 2007, with reinvestment
of 5% for growth initiatives.
• De Kliek will hold Cost of Goods Sold at roughly 39% of sales revenues; we intend to
maintain this approximately 61% markup throughout the next five years.
• Due to the demand for up-to-date fashions, inventory turns are projected at 5, which
is higher than the industry average of 4.
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1.1 Mission
• To help women learn what clothing and styles go best with their unique personalities
1.3 Objectives
• To turn inventory five times and generate $800 in sales per square foot
• To maintain profit margins at 15-20% through close attention to expenses and cost of
goods sold
• To drive awareness and build sales through mentions in both local print and the nation's
top fashion magazines
Company Summary
De Kliek Style Studio is an upscale women's clothing boutique that intends to open in Noe
Valley in July. De Kliek means "clique or circle of friends" in Dutch; this defines the boutique
and its essence of inclusion. De Kliek carries beautiful designer labels for professional women,
such as the sophisticated silhouettes of Herr Frau and luxurious Jamin Puech handbags. De
Kliek's clothing selections and exclusive personal style services, which include a detailed Style
Assessment that features nine different style personalities, will ensure that our customers are
always well dressed.
• To map out all the necessary components to create a successful and well-run boutique
• To provide management with a blueprint to follow
• To secure financing through private institutions and investors
The Start-up Table which follows details the Start-up Requirements, including Start-up Inventory
and Long-term Assets in the form of Fixtures and POS Equipment. Start-up Funding will consist
largely of owner investment and a long-term loan from the Small Business Administration. The
Start-up Period for this plan runs from January through July. De Kliek will open on July 15, and
we project real sales beginning in August of Year 1.
Start-up Funding
Start-up Expenses to Fund $45,108
Start-up Assets to Fund $87,599
Total Funding Required $132,707
Assets
Non-cash Assets from Start-up $80,099
Cash Requirements from Start-up $7,500
Additional Cash Raised $0
Cash Balance on Starting Date $7,500
Total Assets $87,599
Liabilities and Capital
Liabilities
Current Borrowing $0
Long-term Liabilities $90,000
Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills) $0
Other Current Liabilities (interest-
$0
free)
Total Liabilities $90,000
Capital
Planned Investment
Owner Injection $41,707
Investor $1,000
Other $0
Additional Investment Requirement $0
Total Planned Investment $42,707
Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses) ($45,108)
Total Capital ($2,401)
Total Capital and Liabilities $87,599
Total Funding $132,707
Start-up
Requirements
Start-up Expenses
Initial Deposit $0
Insurance $1,008
Start-up Assets
De Kliek has been established as a Sole Proprietorship due to the ease of formation, and
simplicity of the structure and tax record keeping. In the future, De Kliek will look at forming an
S Corporation when another location is opened. The following legal protections, permits or
licensing are required:
APPAREL LINES
ACCESSORIES
• Wardrobe Accessories:
o Lint Brushes
o Tosca Laundry Soap
o Stylist-in-a-box
o Sachets
o Hangers
• Fashion Accessories:
o Local designer jewelry
o Jamin Puech Handbags
o Belts, Scarves, Gloves, Hats
o Ilux and Tanjane Lingerie
The Style Assessment (in Appendix A) is a one-page quiz, developed by Lise Bakke and De
Kliek owner Vrootje Magen, based on the highly regarded Ennegram that helps a woman
determine the appropriate styles for her personality. The assessment helps a customer define her
personality by providing her style words (e.g. engaging, romantic, modern) to choose from along
with tips on what clothing works well for her style personality. Style Icons are also provided to
help her visualize the appropriate look. There is normally a small fee for the assessment,
but customers are able to take the Style Assessment for free at the Style Studio when they make
cumulative purchases of $250. After each customer completes the quiz in the studio section of
the boutique, she will receive a laminated De Kliek wallet card to carry around as a shopping
reminder that lists her style personality type, style words, style icons and clothing styles
appropriate for her.
• "What's New" Bulletin. Behind the cash wrap area there will be a bulletin board that is
frequently updated and that lists and displays the following details:
o How to Wear - This will show how to wear a particular item for work, weekend
and going out
o Coming Soon - This will feature items coming into the boutique soon
o Services - This will list all the additional style services that De Kliek offers
• Coterie Clothing Tags. Each clothing tag will have the corresponding Style Personality
numbers listed to help customers determine which pieces are best for them
• Style Concierges. De Kliek believes in bringing the best service to our customers. As
such, all sales associates are called Style Concierges. Our Style Concierges will be
trained and participating members of the Association of Image Consultants International.
They will be available to assist customers with their Style Assessments, wardrobe
planning, special orders and personal shopping. If a customer is pressed for time, she
simply calls De Kliek to set up an appointment and there will be someone there to greet
and assist her beyond normal business hours.
Fortunately, the luxury goods market, of which De Kliek is a part due to the high-end brands it
will carry, has remained recession-proof, as clearly indicated by the successful 2003 results for
Coach, Tiffany and Saks. According to Women's Wear Daily, luxury firms forecast a strong
2004, particularly for accessories and footwear. However, the strong Euro and slowdown in
wealth creation are big concerns and managing a balanced quality-price ratio is the key to
success for luxury retailers.
"Fashion is a requirement for those who are high in their success." -Luxury Consumer
In the luxury market, luxury consumers (defined as "affluents" who have household incomes of
over $100K) spent more in 2003 than 2002. [1] Based on focus groups, United Marketing
believes luxury consumers see apparel and accessories as more of a necessity than a luxury. This
is good news to boutique retailers. There are over 800 clothing boutiques in the LA Area;
approximately 19 percent of these generate over $500K in sales.[2] In fact, women's clothing
stores in Los Angeles have a 62% higher sales growth rate than the national average; this can be
attributed to the fact that the average household in Los Angeles is considered affluent.
______________________________________________
Market Needs
If you were to overhear women talking in a dressing room, you would more than likely hear
them comment on something they've tried on and question how they should wear it or what it
will go with in their closet. Research has shown that women are stressed, have little time to shop,
and would generally like help in determining the right clothes and styles to wear. With over 61
million U.S. women between the ages of 25-54 spending over $34 billion in apparel each year,
there are sure to be some mistakes made in clothing choices. Television shows such as BBC's
"What Not to Wear" and Style's "Fashion Emergency" clearly speak to a woman's confusion
about what looks best on her. Even women who can afford a professional stylist feel helpless and
often jokingly request that their stylist come to their home every morning to help them get
dressed.
"Within a decade, the companies that do the best job of marketing to women will dominate every
significant product and service category." -Faith Popcorn
One gender in particular influences the majority of the retail marketplace: women. Women
comprise 51% (145 million) of the U.S. population [1] and control or influence 81% of all
household purchase decisions. [2] Women are now earning more college and master's degrees
than men, which translates into more senior positions & higher pay. [3] Overall, women
represent 47% of the total U.S. civilian workforce and as that continues to grow, demands for
their time also increase. Balancing work and family are the #1 concerns for women and almost
half "hardly ever" take care of their personal needs; one out of five women would like to have
time to do a little shopping! [4]
Research indicates that women approach retail shopping uniquely by evaluating purchases based
on product and company information derived from both personal and expert sources.
Additionally, surveys consistently reveal that women buy based on the relationship they forge
with a brand. [5], [6] Statistics, studies, and our own personal experiences show us again and
again that excellent customer service lowers customer attrition rates, fosters excellent word of
mouth and most importantly, increases sales. The table below shows that out of the ten
characteristics consumers find important in deciding where to shop, four were attributed to
customer service.
_______________________________________________
Sources:
[1] Statistical Abstract of the U.S., 2002; Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2003
[2] BusinessWeek "The New Gender Gap," May 2003
[3] Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studies
[4] Jones NY Sponsored Survey of FT Working Women, Self, May 2003
[5] Kim T Gordon, "Chick Magnet," Entrepreneur Magazine, March 2, 2002
[6] Connie Myers, "What Do Women Want? Marketing," Utah Business, Sept 2002
[7] Yankelovich Monitor, "Getting the Goods," May 2003
Market Analysis
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Potential Customers Growth CAGR
High-Income Women, 30+, in this
5% 2,400 2,520 2,646 2,778 2,917 5.00%
area
Personal Stylist Customers 30% 10 13 17 22 29 30.50%
Total 5.15% 2,410 2,533 2,663 2,800 2,946 5.15%
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Los Angeles is rated amongst the top U.S. markets in economic and educational achievements.
At an average age of 40, the Los Angeles professional is highly affluent, with an average family
household income of $180,903 and a median home value of $622,170. Close to 50% have a
bachelor's degree and 40% of these professionals hold a postgraduate degree.
De Kliek customers will learn about the boutique through the following sources:
• LA Neighborhood Storefront
• Friends & Customers (word of mouth and email)
• Personal shoppers and stylists
• Women's Fashion Magazines articles and reviews such as W, Lucky, Marie Claire and
Vogue
• Local press mentions & ads
• Travel and shopping books and websites
The primary De Kliek customer is a professional woman with a household income over $100K.
Her main characteristics are listed below:
Demographics
Psychographics
Leisure Activities
• Listens to NPR
• Supports the Arts
• Reads Vogue, New Yorker, Bon Apetit, Lucky
• Watches Bravo, BBC, HBO
• Internet savvy
• Travels, owns a passport
• She enjoys eating out as well as taking time for herself at the spa or
getting a mani-pedi
The De Kliek customer loves to shop and enjoys going to boutiques. She is knowledgeable about
designer fashions and tends to shop for seasonal wardrobes twice a year plus picks up various
fashion and basic pieces throughout the year. Many times she shops to "browse." By offering
fashionable accessories and wardrobe organization items, De Kliek will be able to grab a larger
share of her wardrobe budget. She is used to coming into the store and browsing through the
clothing items and trying on what interests her. She expects a warm and comfortable
environment and nice dressing rooms. She enjoys being left alone but also enjoys the special
touches of personal shopping assistance and having the ability to special order items. She wants
fun and catered shopping events in the evening and also enjoys receiving special notices on sales
and participating in trunk shows to garner more savings. She is also at a Director to CEO-level
job and could potentially be reached through her office for personal shopping services or through
her own personal stylist who is a member of AICI.
_____________________________________________
De Kliek is considered a luxury boutique within the Women's Clothing Store Industry (NAICS
448120 or SIC code 5621). Women's Clothing Store sales represent 20% of the Clothing Store
Industry Group, which translates to $27.2 billion during 1997, and $34.4 billion in 2002.
The retail sector is the second-largest industry in the United States, both in number of
establishments and number of employees. It is also one of the largest industries worldwide. The
retail sector employs over 23 million Americans and generates more than $3 trillion in retail
sales annually. Retail sales usually see a 2-5% growth each quarter. Although 2003 was difficult,
sales have slowly grown from 1.4% in Q1, to 3.1% in Q2 to an estimated 5.8% in Q3 according
to the NRF. Overall retail sales account for two-thirds of the nation's economic activity, and the
holiday season accounts for 20-40 percent of total retail sales. [1]
The Clothing & Accessories Stores subsector of Retail has seen sales growth of 19% over the
last five years from $137.6 billion in 1997 [2] to $171.8 billion in 2002 [3]. Businesses in the
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores subsector sell new clothing and clothing accessories
merchandise from fixed point-of-sale locations. Establishments in this subsector have similar
display equipment and staff that is knowledgeable regarding fashion trends and the proper match
of styles, colors, and combinations of clothing and accessories to the characteristics and tastes of
the customer.
Although the holiday season is the key indicator of retail health, according to the National Retail
Federation, the holiday season accounts for only 15% of total apparel sales. A good holiday
season is typically followed by a good economic year and analysts predict retail sales will rise a
total of 4 percent in 2004. Total sales for 2003 were up 3.2 percent. Additionally, online holiday
shoppers spent a record $18.5 billion during the holiday season [4] -- a 35 percent increase over
the $13.7 billion spent in 2002. Luxury retailers and upscale department stores were the
unexpected market leaders during the 2003 holidays with Nov-Dec sales up 15 percent. Analysts
state that as consumers see their investments increase, they spend more.
2004 Outlook
The outlook for sales and earnings in 2004 is bright, with especially strong results expected in
the first quarter [7]. Two trends should dominate retail fundamentals in 2004: Strong first quarter
sales due to an estimated $60 billion in tax refunds and lower taxes hitting consumers' pockets in
March and April, and a potential slowing of sales in the final three quarters of 2004 against the
tougher comparison of 2003. Additionally, industry experts predict growth in the specialty store
segment of which De Kliek is a part.
Current Trends
• People are shopping online for convenience & value; growth of sales on the Internet
• Continued decline of the mom-and-pop store
• Overbuilding by specialty stores and other chains
• Repositioning of full-price/multi-line department stores
• Supremacy of the discount store chains
• Category-killer superstores
• Continuous changes in demographics, tastes and fashions
• Easy availability of consumer credit
• Dwindling appeal of the major mall
Weather, seasonal events, holiday shopping, competitor marketing, LA tourism, the Bay Area
economy and the strength of the dollar can all affect the performance of De Kliek. On a macro-
economic level, consumer confidence, interest rates and inflation rates all have an effect. Rising
unemployment, political concerns and deflation also pose risks.
Positive Factors:
Negative Factors:
Clothing Industry Impact on De Kliek
Weakening consumer confidence (influenced by
Decreased sales
global terrorism, tension & uncertainty)
Strong Euro Lower margins
Slowly increasing unemployment Value and sale
shopping (can also be
positive impact)
Decreasing levels of consumer household wealth
Continued "cocooning"
due to stock portfolios and 401(k) plans that have
by customers
seen huge losses
Consumers with record high debt levels are
defaulting on credit card balances, home Increase in returns
mortgages & loans at an alarming rate
(Negative side of:) Significant continued layoffs
Reduction in working
at larger corporations require job migration and
women who can buy
lead to large numbers of consumers employed as
luxury items
temp workers
_____________________________________________
[1] National Retail Federation trade group, Women's Wear Daily, 9/17/03
[2] U.S. Economic Census, 1997
[3] 2003 Holiday Survival Kit, NRF
[4] eSpending Report from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Interactive and Nielsen/NetRatings,
Jan 2004
[5] BizMiner, December 203, Bay Area Women's Clothing Store Data, 2001-2003
[6] 2003 National Retail Security Survey, NRF
[7] Daniel Barry, Merrill Lynch Senior Retail Analyst/Broadlines
De Kliek has stiff local competition with the many wonderful boutiques in Los Angeles. Direct
competitors include those boutiques that carry some of the brands that De Kliek plans on
carrying or could move easily into carrying, and are located in the Valley. Indirect competitors
are those boutiques in LA that focus on a different target market or do not carry lines that De
Kliek will carry, in addition to well-known boutiques in other metropolitan areas.
De Kliek's own comparative analysis of 15 boutiques in Los Angeles reveals that very few are
successful in delivering high-quality customer service, as browsers are routinely ignored. It
appears that if you don't look a certain way or show that you have money when you walk in, you
are immediately disregarded. Dressing rooms are typically small and have curtains that don't
guarantee 100% privacy. Clothing sizes tend to run small and items tend to be overpriced. Even
with a lot of focus in the media and among fashion retailers on what to wear, not one boutique
in town is a member of the Association of Image Consultants - a very prestigious professional
organization whose members work with and train clients in developing their image. There are
some retailers who do get it right - they have strong customer relationships, carry the right mix of
merchandise, are knowledgeable in fashion - and the profits show.
Direct Competition:
• Fish
• Fred Segal
• Girl and Her Dog
• Margaret O'Leary
• Dress
• Rabat
• Riki
• Susan of Burlingame
• The Grocery Store
Indirect Competition:
• Abigail Morgan
• Ambiance
• eLuxury.com
• Her
• The Designer's Club
• Yoya Boutique
• All other LA Boutique Retailers
Main Competition:
From a "look & feel" perspective, as well as consideration of designer lines that De Kliek will
carry, Dish in Hayes Valley is considered the main competition. The following is a
comparative analysis of Fish and De Kliek:
Location:
Fish De Kliek
Open Mon-Fri 11-7, Sat 10-6, Sun
Open Mon-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5
11-5
Plenty of places in Los Angeles cater
The location for De Kliek has not
to the well-heeled, but this area also
been confirmed but top targets are
reaches out to the adventurously
areas in which the target market
heeled -- and dressed.
lives and/or shops.
Products:
Fish De Kliek
Fish's collections largely come De Kliek will carry sophisticated, quality
from American designers such lines from European and American
as Nanette Lepore, Lauren designers such as Herr Frau, Weekend
Moffat, Vince and Katayone MaxMini, Hocken, Vince and Catherine
Adeli the Great.
Customer Service
Fish De Kliek
The owner of Fish is fashionable and De Kliek will provide quality
knowledgeable. She is considerate of customer service including
her customers and allows them the alterations, gift wrapping, Style
space to shop on their own (a very Assessments, trunk shows and
important aspect for women!) special workshops.
Features/Atmosphere
Fish De Kliek
Sleek and modern interior De Kliek's interior will reflect a minimalist
with a warehouse feel. There look, yet be accommodating and warm so
are three dressing rooms with that all products are featured appropriately.
linen curtains that pull a bit The dressing rooms will have wood
from the walls so privacy is louvered doors to maintain privacy and will
not 100% guaranteed. have chairs outside for friends to sit down.
The competition in the Valley does provide some good benchmarks for projecting sales and
understanding customer expectations. In the Valley, Ambivalence, a junior/contemporary
boutique, averages sales that top $1,300 per square foot which totals more than $900,000 in sales
annually. Nearby, Ennui generates annual sales of $1.3 million with approximately 800 square
feet of selling space; that translates to more than $1,600 per square foot. However, it is important
to note that not all of Ennui sales are generated from the selling floor; a considerable amount of
sales come from special orders. With these successful Los Angeles retailers as benchmarks, De
Kliek will continue to monitor them for best practices. Additionally, there are a few very
successful boutiques in San Francisco, New York and Florida that are worth mentioning as
benchmarks for successful retailing and merchandising.
• Develop strong relationships with customers by utilizing Style Assessment and offering
services to help each woman determine the right clothes for her.
• Provide educational materials and programs that enable customers greater decision-
making confidence.
• Provide customers with a sense of access to "inside information" and harness the power
of a woman's personal network by leveraging marketing collateral designed for sharing
and encouraging referrals.
Product/Service Selection
To overcome seasonality concerns, De Kliek will carry 20 percent of merchandise in fashion and
wardrobe accessories. Additionally, De Kliek will provide alterations, personal shopping
services and special ordering for our customers. Special Orders are a huge benefit as De Kliek
obtains full-price sell-through and there is no floor space needed to sell the article.
Pricing
42% of households with a $75K income agree, "When I really want something, price is no
object." [1]
At De Kliek, we are very committed to bringing high quality clothing to women and the prices
will reflect a range of mid-to-high pricing. Average price points will be around $200. To
maintain profit margins of 20%, De Kliek will negotiate and focus on obtaining an average 61%
retail markup for all merchandise classifications.
Location
De Kliek will be located in an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles. A significant proportion of
the target market lives in this area. De Kliek will work with the local merchants association as
well as local publications to generate PR and shopping in the neighborhood. De Kliek will also
attract women from throughout other Los Angeles neighborhoods as well as the few women who
come to LA from out of town to shop.
De Kliek will launch in July 2004 and have a website presence where fashionable customers
throughout the country can go to learn more about the boutique, the Style Assessment, how to
wear certain items for day, evening and weekend, and make personal shopping appointments.
Style Concierges
Most women are intimidated by upscale fashion boutiques, as many sales associates can come
across rude and snobby. Additionally, the sales pressure from an associate can be a huge turn-off
to a potential customer as it doesn't allow a woman to browse and get to know the store's
products at her own pace.
De Kliek will have three store associates, or "style concierges:" myself, an assistant manager,
and a PT employee (both still to be hired).
The appropriate merchandise -- and the right amount of merchandise-- are critical in building a
successful clothing boutique. De Kliek will carry 15 merchandise classifications in addition to
the Style Assessment. Each month, the sales forecast and open-to-buy (OTB) plan will be
reviewed with De Kliek's inventory service provider, Retail Merchandising Service Automation
(RMSA), against the previous month's sales to ascertain any adjustments and make the
appropriate changes. As Open-to-Buy is planned, the percentage of merchandise that is new (i.e.,
Fresh ratio) will also be considered to ensure that the inventory is, on average, around 40-50%
fresh.
Fall/Winter sales are forecasted at $272,141 for the rest of 2004 and $513,500 for FY2005,
with an average monthly sales goal of $46,600. The summarized forecast for the Fall season is
listed below:
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Sales Forecast
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Sales
Casual Tops $47,880 $55,288 $55,841 $56,400 $56,964
Blouses $41,356 $48,039 $48,519 $49,736 $50,482
Sweaters $37,343 $43,721 $44,377 $45,043 $45,718
Knits $39,160 $45,622 $46,534 $47,465 $48,414
Pants $43,707 $50,972 $51,737 $52,513 $53,301
Skirts $33,839 $39,904 $40,703 $41,517 $42,347
Dresses $26,110 $30,710 $31,017 $31,327 $31,641
Denim $29,974 $35,737 $36,451 $37,180 $37,924
Separates $20,024 $23,824 $24,301 $24,787 $25,282
Jackets/Blazers $25,450 $30,679 $31,292 $31,918 $32,556
Coats/Outerwear $22,211 $26,520 $27,050 $27,591 $28,143
Fashion Accessories $53,372 $62,243 $63,799 $65,394 $67,029
Jewelry $22,850 $26,836 $27,238 $27,647 $28,061
Personal Care $11,983 $14,164 $14,306 $14,449 $14,593
Wardrobe Accessories $17,737 $21,032 $21,243 $21,455 $21,670
Style Assessments $2,767 $2,976 $3,036 $3,097 $3,159
Special Orders $36,250 $39,525 $40,316 $41,122 $41,944
Alterations $1,490 $1,611 $1,643 $1,676 $1,709
Total Sales $513,503 $599,403 $609,402 $620,315 $630,937
Direct Cost of Sales Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Casual Tops $20,588 $23,774 $24,012 $24,614 $24,983
Blouses $17,370 $20,176 $20,378 $20,889 $21,202
Sweaters $15,684 $18,272 $18,455 $18,918 $19,202
Knits $16,447 $18,973 $19,163 $19,643 $19,938
Pants $17,483 $20,288 $20,491 $21,005 $21,320
Skirts $13,874 $16,200 $16,362 $16,773 $17,024
Dresses $9,922 $11,670 $11,787 $12,082 $12,263
Denim $11,990 $14,155 $14,296 $14,655 $14,874
Separates $8,010 $9,436 $9,531 $9,770 $9,916
Jackets/Blazers $10,689 $12,759 $12,886 $13,209 $13,408
Coats/Outerwear $7,996 $9,454 $9,548 $9,788 $9,934
Fashion Accessories $18,680 $21,466 $21,681 $22,225 $22,558
Jewelry $7,998 $9,346 $9,440 $9,676 $9,821
Personal Care $4,793 $5,666 $5,722 $5,866 $5,954
Wardrobe Accessories $7,095 $8,413 $8,497 $8,710 $8,841
Style Assessment $1,107 $1,179 $1,191 $1,221 $1,239
Special Orders $14,500 $15,655 $15,812 $16,208 $16,451
Alterations $596 $638 $644 $660 $670
Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $204,820 $237,520 $239,896 $245,911 $249,600
Events: Hold "Bring Your Man" night and sell clothing from lines
that carry men's lines (Ensure men know about gift
assistance!)
Although De Kliek will bring high-quality clothing and value to Los Angeles women, the most
significant competitive advantage De Kliek will have over all competitors is dedication to
providing an approachable retail atmosphere with top-notch customer service. De Kliek's unique
selling proposition is the integrated concept of personal style services: from events and bios that
educate shoppers on designers, to personalized Style Assessments, on-site alterations, and our
own unique Style Concierges and wardrobe accessories. In contrast to many other boutiques, De
Kliek will become a corporate member of the Association of Image Consultants so that our Style
Concierges learn from the nation's best on image consulting.
Positioning Statement
De Kliek provides professional women with upscale designer clothing and exclusive personal
services. Our main competitive advantage is the unique Style Assessment and education
emphasis in helping women develop their personal style.
Brand Positioning
'De Kliek' is Dutch for a grouping or circle of friends, a "clique." Building on the meaning of
"kliek," circles are part of the logo, which defines the boutique, and its essence of inclusion.
Style Studio is added to the overall name to suggest that women can come to the boutique to
learn about themselves and experiment with their personal style. By combining these two
meanings, De Kliek Style Studio looks to be the leader in providing exceptional service and
assistance for women's fashion needs. The elegance of the name suggests the types of clothing
and accessories that will be featured.
BRAND PERSONALITY
• Personal selling and word of mouth via networks of friends, stylists and customers
• Unique visual displays in storefront on a weekly basis
• PR (local and national)
• Boutique email newsletters
• Direct mail such as postcard notices that are targeted specifically to the customer
• Sales Promotion such as store events and bi-annual sales
• De Kliek Web Site
• Advertising will be at a minimum with regular ad placements in the Valley Voice
5.4 Milestones
Management Summary
Management Expertise
Ms. Magen's initial experiences in retail and business sales were formative insofar as they helped
her early on to understand how to best work with all types of personalities, meet individual needs
through listening, and develop strong creative problem-solving skills. Much of this experience
was spent "in the trenches," developing practical skills on the floor at retailers including
JCPenney, Gottshchalks and Ann's Boutique. She has an understanding of what it takes to work
in a retail environment, from stocking the sales floor and utilizing loss prevention skills, to
ringing up a sale and counting back cash, and most importantly, reading a customer. Her five
years as a Financial Service Representative at two banks directly benefit the day-to-day
operations of the boutique.
With a successful and award-winning career in corporate marketing for the last 12 years,
Ms. Magen understands how to create successful communications and marketing strategies and
have experience marketing fashion for top retailers, such as Levi Strauss and Gap Inc. Much of
this work involved developing and maintaining high profile campaigns that were structured
around generating increased customer sales within the store environment and through sales
associate training. She has led successful teams, which involved qualified and thoughtful
selection of employees and consultants to help ensure the success of a project.
Her current efforts toward opening De Kliek Style Studio have heavily depended on all the skills
and abilities that she has developed in her past professional lives. Her combined skills and
knowledge of the right types of clothing a woman should wear based on her body type and
personality are enhanced by her retail experience, and her current training within the Association
of Image Consultants International for the last two years has solidified her expertise.
Ms. Magen is extremely dedicated and motivated to creating a thriving clothing boutique and
feels confident in succeeding based on her well-rounded experience, established sound vendor
and customer relationships, and strong work ethic.
Team of Advisors
Lisa graduated from Colorado College in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in art and education. By
1989, Lisa played a key role in launching a women's ready-to-wear line by designing, marketing
and selling it via hugely successful trunk shows. It was then that she recognized women wanted
one-on-one attention in helping them determine their optimal clothing designs and colors. In
2000-2001, Lisa served as president of a prestigious international organization for image
consultants. She is also the editor of a 12-page publication for image consultants. Today, Lisa
regularly shops for clients in Paris.
RMSA has maintained its status as the leading provider of inventory management and
forecasting tools for retail businesses nationwide. RMSA Forecasting is a merchandise planning
service that combines information from a retailer's sales and inventory with RMSA's
extraordinary retail database to help retailers forecast and improve the performance of their retail
operations.
34% of Americans in 2002 cite having "neat and attractive salespeople" as a reason they decide
to shop where they do, compared to 29% in 2000. [Yankelovich Monitor, "Getting the Goods,"
May 2003]
The personnel plan is included in the table, below. In addition to the owner, there will be one
part-time (30 hours/week) Assistant Manager and two part-time Style Concierges by the end of
the first year. The Assistant Manager will be paid at a rate of $20.00 per hour and the part-time
Style Concierges will be paid at a rate of $15.00 per hour, plus benefits.
Employees of De Kliek will be paid competitively and will receive in-depth store training and
membership into the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI). Additionally,
employees will receive special store benefits including:
My philosophy is to empower my staff to do the best they can and give them the freedom to do
so. Inevitably, they will make mistakes and if they don't make mistakes, they don't learn. I will
lead by delegation but I won't let them "hang themselves." As a manager, I will provide
appropriate objectives, guide them throughout the process (utilizing Management by Objectives)
and help them make decisions based on the company philosophy. I believe in recognizing good
work and letting my staff know that I value and appreciate them when a job is well done. I have
confidence my philosophy will not only attract smart and loyal employees, but also develop
strong mutual respect, as they will feel that their ideas are valued and that they are respected.
De Kliek will provide in-depth training to new staff, which will include education on the
designers, products & services offered, and systems and procedures to follow. There will also be
employee manuals provided to support the training as well as examples set by the owner and
assistant store manager on customer service. Special awards will be given for great customer
service and knowledge imparted.
Personnel Plan
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Owner $73,000 $76,000 $90,000 $90,000 $95,000
Assistant Manager $39,600 $42,000 $43,500 $44,500 $46,000
Style Concierge $18,400 $4,000 $4,000 $5,000 $5,000
Total People 3 4 4 4 4
Total Payroll $131,000 $122,000 $137,500 $139,500 $146,000
Financial Plan
De Kliek looks to bring in annual sales of $600,000 with an operating profit margin of 20%.
Gross margins are at 51%, which is 6 percentage points higher than the retail industry average
but in line with retail boutique averages. Overall, De Kliek projects to reinvest net profits of 5%
into the company for service enhancements and growth initiatives.
First-year cash flows are positive due to the cash-based business of De Kliek. De Kliek remains
very liquid with no Current Liabilities forecasted for the year ending June 30, 2005. Startup costs
are estimated at $132,700 with almost half of these costs going to startup inventory. See the
Start-up Table, above, for details.
General Assumptions
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Plan Month 1 2 3 4 5
Current Interest Rate 7.96% 10.26% 7.96% 10.26% 7.96%
Long-term Interest Rate 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00%
Tax Rate 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00%
Other 0 0 0 0 0
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Cost of goods for the break-even are based on line sheets from the vendors that De Kliek plans to
carry. In addition, De Kliek plans to maintain an average 60% retail markup. De Kliek plans to
maintain sales revenues well above the break-even level noted below.
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Break-even Analysis
Monthly Revenue Break-even $34,501
Assumptions:
Average Percent Variable Cost 40%
Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost $20,740
The projected Profit and Loss for five years is detailed in the table and charts following. Some
assumptions and inclusions to be noted are included in the Appendix.
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The projected Cash Flow for five years is detailed in the table and chart following. In addition, it
should be noted that De Kliek will establish relationships with vendors and/or representatives to
determine the following to maintain cash flow:
• Average price points – this will help ensure that a good mix of prices are maintained.
• Delivery time frame & reliability – this will be crucial to ensure maximization of profits
during the key shopping time frames. For Italian designers who may live up to the Italian
notoriety for being late in deliveries, De Kliek will request the earliest possible delivery
from them and also ensure they will be open to discounts if deliveries are late.
• Market demand and turn rates – typically the vendor should know their end customer and
be able to share that information so it aligns with my target market as well as helps me
determine how much is appropriate to buy.
• Payment terms and agreements –The goal is to be at Net 30 but I expect vendors to
understand that De Kliek is a new boutique and will work with De Kliek to get the store
at Net 30 terms with them within one season.
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All financials will be updated monthly to reflect past performance and future assumptions.
Future assumptions will be based on our inventory plans from Retail Merchandising Service
Automation (RMSA), economic cycle activity, regional retail indicators, apparel trends, and
future cash flow. De Kliek works with both an Accountant and CPA whom both have personal
and professional experience in retail operations. We expect solid growth in net worth beyond the
first fiscal year of operation.
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Standard business ratios are included in the following table. The ratios show a plan for balanced,
healthy growth. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code
5621, Women's Clothing Stores, are shown for comparison.
Ratio Analysis
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Industry Profile
Sales Growth 0.00% 16.73% 1.67% 1.79% 1.71% 2.95%
Percent of Total Assets
Inventory 16.29% 13.36% 10.66% 8.98% 7.79% 55.38%
Other Current Assets 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 25.29%
Total Current Assets 86.62% 92.89% 96.23% 98.42% 99.96% 88.70%
Long-term Assets 13.38% 7.11% 3.77% 1.58% 0.04% 11.30%
Total Assets 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Current Liabilities 23.01% 15.91% 12.46% 10.59% 9.11% 24.77%
Long-term Liabilities 54.09% 33.30% 22.40% 15.31% 10.29% 5.35%
Total Liabilities 77.10% 49.21% 34.87% 25.90% 19.40% 30.12%
Net Worth 22.90% 50.79% 65.13% 74.10% 80.60% 69.88%
Percent of Sales
Sales 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Gross Margin 60.11% 60.37% 60.63% 60.36% 60.44% 41.89%
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses 40.82% 41.05% 41.07% 41.51% 41.52% 21.02%
Advertising Expenses 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.78%
Profit Before Interest and Taxes 11.65% 18.42% 16.65% 15.85% 15.54% 3.15%
Main Ratios
Current 3.76 5.84 7.72 9.29 10.97 3.37
Quick 3.06 5.00 6.87 8.44 10.12 0.87
Total Debt to Total Assets 77.10% 49.21% 34.87% 25.90% 19.40% 40.19%
Pre-tax Return on Net Worth 157.26% 98.67% 56.07% 39.83% 31.39% 7.14%
Pre-tax Return on Assets 36.01% 50.12% 36.52% 29.51% 25.30% 11.93%
Additional Ratios Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Net Profit Margin 7.23% 12.20% 11.06% 10.61% 10.49% n.a
Return on Equity 110.08% 69.07% 39.25% 27.88% 21.97% n.a
Activity Ratios
Inventory Turnover 7.93 9.16 8.58 8.67 8.65 400.00%
Accounts Payable Turnover 9.11 12.17 12.17 12.17 12.17 n.a
Payment Days 27 30 30 30 30 n.a
Total Asset Turnover 3.49 2.88 2.31 1.95 1.69 n.a
Debt Ratios
Debt to Net Worth 3.37 0.97 0.54 0.35 0.24 100.00%
Current Liab. to Liab. 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.41 0.47 n.a
Liquidity Ratios
Net Working Capital $93,718 $160,400 $220,893 $279,792 $339,564 n.a
Interest Coverage 8.86 18.51 19.74 22.80 28.10 n.a
Additional Ratios
Assets to Sales 0.29 0.35 0.43 0.51 0.59 n.a
Current Debt/Total Assets 23% 16% 12% 11% 9% n.a
Acid Test 3.06 5.00 6.87 8.44 10.12 n.a
Sales/Net Worth 15.22 5.66 3.55 2.63 2.09 n.a
Dividend Payout 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 n.a
Appendix
Sales Forecast
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
Sales
Casual Tops 0% $0 $3,360 $4,150 $4,650 $4,400 $5,132 $3,600 $3,650 $4,300 $4,800 $4,888 $4,950
Blouses 0% $0 $2,915 $3,570 $4,035 $3,700 $4,449 $3,000 $3,150 $3,700 $4,300 $4,237 $4,300
Sweaters 0% $0 $2,650 $3,220 $3,670 $3,400 $4,300 $2,600 $2,800 $3,350 $3,600 $3,853 $3,900
Knits 0% $0 $2,750 $3,350 $3,810 $3,500 $4,600 $2,800 $2,950 $3,500 $3,800 $4,000 $4,100
Pants 0% $0 $3,090 $3,800 $4,275 $4,100 $5,100 $3,000 $3,100 $3,900 $4,300 $4,492 $4,550
Skirts 0% $0 $2,405 $3,000 $3,300 $3,150 $4,000 $2,300 $2,350 $3,000 $3,285 $3,499 $3,550
Dresses 0% $0 $1,875 $2,200 $2,590 $2,300 $3,200 $1,700 $1,800 $2,400 $2,550 $2,720 $2,775
Denim 0% $0 $2,155 $2,500 $2,980 $2,730 $3,600 $1,900 $2,025 $2,750 $3,000 $3,134 $3,200
Separates 0% $0 $1,445 $1,650 $1,990 $1,800 $2,500 $1,200 $1,350 $1,800 $2,000 $2,089 $2,200
Jackets/Blazers 0% $0 $1,850 $2,200 $2,560 $2,300 $3,300 $1,400 $1,600 $2,300 $2,500 $2,690 $2,750
Coats/Outerwear 0% $0 $1,600 $1,800 $2,211 $1,900 $2,700 $1,500 $1,600 $2,000 $2,200 $2,325 $2,375
Fashion Accessories 0% $0 $3,740 $4,600 $5,170 $5,100 $6,000 $3,800 $3,950 $4,800 $5,300 $5,432 $5,480
Jewelry 0% $0 $1,635 $2,000 $2,250 $1,950 $3,500 $1,200 $1,350 $2,000 $2,200 $2,365 $2,400
Personal Care 0% $0 $900 $950 $1,180 $900 $1,600 $700 $900 $1,100 $1,150 $1,253 $1,350
Wardrobe Accessories 0% $0 $1,275 $1,450 $1,750 $1,500 $2,400 $1,100 $1,200 $1,600 $1,700 $1,862 $1,900
Style Assessments 0% $0 $205 $230 $250 $264 $290 $226 $282 $230 $264 $261 $265
Special Orders 0% $0 $2,500 $2,950 $3,500 $3,650 $4,000 $1,900 $2,000 $3,950 $3,300 $4,000 $4,500
Alterations 0% $0 $100 $120 $130 $136 $143 $130 $151 $145 $144 $136 $155
Total Sales $0 $36,450 $43,740 $50,301 $46,780 $60,814 $34,056 $36,208 $46,825 $50,393 $53,236 $54,700
Direct Cost of Sales Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
Casual Tops $0 $1,445 $1,785 $2,000 $1,892 $2,207 $1,548 $1,570 $1,849 $2,064 $2,102 $2,129
Blouses $0 $1,224 $1,499 $1,695 $1,554 $1,869 $1,260 $1,323 $1,554 $1,806 $1,780 $1,806
Sweaters $0 $1,113 $1,352 $1,541 $1,428 $1,806 $1,092 $1,176 $1,407 $1,512 $1,618 $1,638
Knits $0 $1,155 $1,407 $1,600 $1,470 $1,932 $1,176 $1,239 $1,470 $1,596 $1,680 $1,722
Pants $0 $1,236 $1,520 $1,710 $1,640 $2,040 $1,200 $1,240 $1,560 $1,720 $1,797 $1,820
Skirts $0 $986 $1,230 $1,353 $1,292 $1,640 $943 $964 $1,230 $1,347 $1,435 $1,456
Dresses $0 $713 $836 $984 $874 $1,216 $646 $684 $912 $969 $1,034 $1,055
Denim $0 $862 $1,000 $1,192 $1,092 $1,440 $760 $810 $1,100 $1,200 $1,254 $1,280
Separates $0 $578 $660 $796 $720 $1,000 $480 $540 $720 $800 $836 $880
Jackets/Blazers $0 $777 $924 $1,075 $966 $1,386 $588 $672 $966 $1,050 $1,130 $1,155
Coats/Outerwear $0 $576 $648 $796 $684 $972 $540 $576 $720 $792 $837 $855
Fashion Accessories $0 $1,309 $1,610 $1,809 $1,785 $2,100 $1,330 $1,383 $1,680 $1,855 $1,901 $1,918
Jewelry $0 $572 $700 $788 $683 $1,225 $420 $472 $700 $770 $828 $840
Personal Care $0 $360 $380 $472 $360 $640 $280 $360 $440 $460 $501 $540
Wardrobe Accessories $0 $510 $580 $700 $600 $960 $440 $480 $640 $680 $745 $760
Style Assessment $0 $82 $92 $100 $106 $116 $90 $113 $92 $106 $104 $106
Special Orders $0 $1,000 $1,180 $1,400 $1,460 $1,600 $760 $800 $1,580 $1,320 $1,600 $1,800
Alterations $0 $40 $48 $52 $54 $57 $52 $60 $58 $58 $54 $62
Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $0 $14,538 $17,451 $20,063 $18,659 $24,206 $13,605 $14,461 $18,678 $20,104 $21,234 $21,821
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Personnel Plan
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
Owner 0% $0 $2,500 $3,500 $7,000 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500
Assistant Manager 0% $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,400 $3,400 $3,400 $3,400 $3,400 $3,400
Style Concierge 0% $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $1,440 $2,000 $2,000
Total People 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3
Total Payroll $4,640 $7,140 $8,140 $11,640 $12,140 $12,140 $12,340 $12,340 $12,340 $12,340 $12,900 $12,900
General Assumptions
Month
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11
12
Plan Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Current Interest Rate 6.00% 6.30% 6.62% 6.95% 7.29% 7.66% 8.04% 8.44% 8.86% 9.31% 9.77% 10.26%
Long-term Interest Rate 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00%
Tax Rate 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00%
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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