Twenty Years in Clothes Business : The Standard

I’ve been selling clothes virtually all my adult life; I’m currently in my 20th year in this business. I specialise in second-hand clothes, as well as original factory or tailor made items.  However, mitumba items move faster because they’re relatively cheaper, while tailor-made clothes, though expensive, target those who are looking for originality and something that has a long shelf-life. Over the years, the market has been changing, with an increase in the number of entrants bringing in plenty of competition and shrinking the customer base. Further, aggressive dealers have been on the rise, hawking similar items in estates. What’s kept my business going is loyal customers and catering to those with a taste for quality materials.

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To cushion myself from business downtimes, I have two other stalls, one in Nakuru town and another in Dundori township, creating employment opportunities for two people. Other than competition, I also have to deal with county officials who make impromptu visits to check on my trading licences. There are also customers who pick items, pay a deposit and promise to clear the balance ‘soon’, but they end up defaulting, which I count as a loss. Further, when there’s poor weather, you can’t display items outside, which can affect traffic. When stock is slow moving, I offer discounts to get buyers. The three stalls bring different returns depending on stock movement, but in the one I oversee, the most I get on a good day is Sh4,000.

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MitumbaSecond Hands Clothes