Would my business be a good fit for Temecula, CA? (Los Angeles: consignment, how much)

[Comeli]

Hi There,
I am considering moving to Temecula, CA. I own a women's clothing consignment store that I would want to move to were ever I end up. My clothing store has a great variation of attire but specializes in high end designer jeans. With CA being a warmer climate, do you think my store specializing in high end designer jeans, would be a good fit for Temecula? You feedback is greatly appreciated

[RosieSD]

You might want to consider the number of clothing consignment stores that already exist in Temecula and its neighbor Murietta. A quick google search turned up this list: Best Consignment shops in Temecula, CA

As you probably already know, it's tough to get a new business off the ground in an area where there's already a lot of competition. So, rather than ask on a board like this, I'd head over to Temecula and Murietta for a few days and "shop" the existing stores to see if your business would fill a gap that's missing in the area. Pay a call on the chamber of commerce and SBA Score or one of these small business associations (http://www.cityoftemecula.org/Temecu...Assistance.htm) while you're there to ask some questions about the retail market and business environment there too.

Good luck.

[Comeli]

Thank you for your response. Yes I have already check online to see how much competition (much less than my area). The beauty of consignment shops is almost never do you find the same items in each store so people that shop consignment shops tend to hit several shops at a time and in my area, because we have different items we tend to refer customers to each other's store. The competition is not a negative for me at all. My biggest concern is I'm heavily invested in designer jeans and I'm wondering if the climate is too warm or jean season is too short? I could expand online I suppose. It looks like the summers are very hot but how long is your cooler season? Thank you!

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Comeli

Thank you for your response. Y/My biggest concern is I'm heavily invested in designer jeans and I'm wondering if the climate is too warm or jean season is too short? I could expand online I suppose. It looks like the summers are very hot but how long is your cooler season? Thank you!

I'm sure you've already seen this data, but here are the "average" temperatures for Temecula, which will give you a sense of when it is hotter and cooler: Climate Temecula - California and Weather averages Temecula

It isn't that hot in Temecula. And, even in the hottest months, there can be much cooler weeks. As far as I know, there's no "jean wearing" season in California (or Temecula). People wear jeans all year long, even when it is hot. Whether they prefer to wear designer jeans, of course, is another matter.

May I ask where you are relocating from? And why you've decided on Temecula versus say Los Angeles or Orange County? What do you already know about Temecula and the types of people who live there?

Also, can you describe the "typical" buyer for your jeans in your current area? What are their ages? Income levels? How else might you describe them? How much are they willing to pay for your designer jeans (or how much do you expect to sell them for in Temecula)?

I think the answers to those questions might help people here answer your question better because people can tell you whether there are similar types of people in Temecula, but they'd probably just be guessing at the market for consignment designer jeans, unless you hit it lucky and there's someone here who's a consignment store owner selling designer jeans in Temecula. And, if you give people an idea of how much you expect to sell your jeans for, that would help people answer the question of whether your business is a fit for Temecula too.

So, rather than ask, is my business right for Temecula? try asking, "these are the types of customers I need to make a go of my business -- are there a lot of people like that in Temecula?"

Even then, I wouldn't base my business decision on the advice of strangers on the internet, especially as you're likely to get five people saying five different things about the market for used designer jeans in Temecula, none of which might actually be true.

Again, contact some of the business organizations (especially SBA SCORE) on the link I gave above -- they might be able to help you find market data for the Temecula area to give you more specific and reliable data, or perhaps they could put you in touch with a retailer or two in the area who can give you more usable advice.

Good luck with your plans.

[Comeli]

Thank you for the info and links. The sites I was looking at was giving much higher temperatures. Also looking at Yelp it appears many of the existing store do not have very good reviews leaving an opening for a store with great prices and fabulous service

My son lives in LA and stumbled across Temecula after meeting a friend there from San Diego. I presently live in a quiet area between Boston and Cape Cod so living in LA is far too busy for me but my son felt Temecula was a good fit for me. Thank you for your feedback!

[JohnSoCal]

I can't say how well your business will do here. Both Temecula and Murrieta are great places to live. Both cities are quite affluent with relatively high household income. You should look at both cities as they are really like one city joined at the hip.

[stefanwest]

My wife loves consignment and thrift shopping. She has said that she now is more consignment where there is better quality but still much better pricing than retail. She loves it and would likely be a client for ya!