All you need to open a fabric store is the right fabrics and a dream, right?
Not exactly.
If you want to run a thriving business, you need the right tools and equipment to streamline stocking, organize operations, and give your customers an incredible experience. But what fabric store equipment do you need to get up and running?
This blog covers the essential categories of tools and equipment every fabric store needs to succeed. Ready to dive into the equipment that will set your new fabric store up for long-term success?
Let’s get started.
Before we dive into our list of tools you need to start the fabric store of your dreams, let’s answer an important question: How much is all of this going to cost?
The initial investment for a startup fabric store can range from $20,000 to over $100,000. This is an unhelpfully broad range, but you can narrow in on your specific costs depending on a few factors:
Your brick-and-mortar location and starting inventory are going to be massive portions of your initial budget, but your equipment and fixtures are an often-overlooked piece of the startup investment puzzle. Consider these costs:
Understanding these costs upfront helps you make the best decisions about which equipment investments are must-haves from day one versus nice-to-haves that can wait until your cash flow improves. Your ultimate goal is to build a store that feels professional and draws in your ideal customer without breaking the bank.
Related Read: Are Quilt Shops Profitable? 9 Ways To Increase Profits
Are you ready to learn about the specific equipment that will make your fabric store successful? Let's explore each essential category.
Your fabrics are your livelihood. To keep them looking fresh, prevent sun damage, and maximize your storage and storefront spaces, you need to invest in the right fabric storage solutions. Here are some options:
Related Read: 15 Inventory Management Features Your Fabric Store Needs
Look for adjustable bolt storage systems that can handle various fabric widths. An adjustable system works well because even as you expand your inventory and bolt sizes, you can still use your existing shelving and solutions. UV-resistant storage is a must for light-sensitive materials, and organizing by fabric type, color, or season makes restocking and customer assistance so much easier.
Next, you want to consider your front-of-house storage and invest in some incredible fabric display systems. The way you display your fabrics makes the difference between browsers and buyers, so you want to get this right.
Consider incorporating some of these displays in your store:
You may want to invest in multi-tier displays that show how fabrics drape. Lighting is absolutely critical when it comes to visual merchandising for fabric stores. Remember to place displays where there’s a combination of natural and artificial lighting to show true colors.
Accurate fabric cutting is one of the most important services for any fabric store. If you want to build customer trust and keep your fabric waste to a minimum, invest in top-notch cutting station equipment.
Cutting station must-haves include:
When choosing your cutting table, consider a height-adjustable option. They cost a bit more, but they’ll save your back during long shifts with lots of custom cuts.
Every fabric store needs rock-solid measuring tools. Start by investing in metal yardsticks and measuring tapes. Metal measuring tools are more accurate than their plastic counterparts and last longer under heavy use.
Be sure to look for accurate, durable tools with easy-to-read markings. And remember: Professional-grade measuring tools cost more upfront, but accurate measurements are core to the fabric store game. In short, it’s worth the investment.
Include washable and removable fabric marking tools, too. Seam gauges, hem measures, and pattern weights are other small additions that you might consider in this area.
Regular retail POS systems aren’t up to the task when it comes to fabric retail. You need a solution that can manage fractional yardage, tons of different SKUs, and class management. A fabric-specific POS system takes these complex tasks and turns them into a few simple clicks.
Here are some key features to keep an eye out for when shopping for the perfect point of sale system for your store:
Pro tip: We recommend Like Sew, our all-in-one cloud-based solution designed specifically for quilting and fabric stores. Check out a free demo today to see if our solution is the right fit for you.
Wrinkled fabric doesn't sell well. Professional pressing equipment keeps your displays looking crisp and keeps customers satisfied, walking away with high-quality fabric that feels fresh and high-quality.
Here are some essential pressing tools to consider when setting up your store:
Well-pressed fabrics photograph better and appear more professional than wrinkled or rumpled inventory. It's also practical — removing wrinkles before cutting ensures more accurate measurements.
Related Read: 9 Essential Quilting Supplies To Stock in Your Store
The right customer service setup encourages customers to stay longer, buy more, and come back for future visits. But what do we mean by “customer service equipment”? This category is kind of a catch-all.
Your fabric store’s customer service equipment will look different from another store’s. The equipment you need depends on your customer base, your inventory, and your goals. Here are some examples:
As mentioned, you also need to ensure you’re investing in quality lighting in these areas (and your entire store). Customers need quality lighting to see true colors and feel comfortable buying fabrics they know will be a perfect fit for their projects.
The bottom line here is to invest in any equipment or tools that help position you as a helpful partner in customers' creative projects, not just a place to buy fabric.
Do you plan to sell or repair sewing machines in your fabric store? If not, you can skip this section. Otherwise, hang on and learn what investments to make to get the most out of this revenue stream.
Some essential pieces of equipment in this area include:
Selling and repairing sewing machines can be a major time and financial investment, but it is an incredible opportunity. Machine sales almost always lead to future fabric sales, and happy repair customers will likely become some of your most loyal long-term customers.
Running classes in your fabric store is an incredible way to create a sense of community and loyalty in your store while generating some bonus, steady revenue. However, if you want to run classes and sewing workshops, you need the right equipment, including:
One tip here is to invest in tables and chairs that allow for flexibility in your classroom setup. You want to be able to set up for different class sizes and workshop types to get the most value out of your classroom space.
Your fabric store's success doesn’t just depend on the fabric you stock. If you truly want to succeed, you need to create an experience and environment that keeps customers coming back. The right fabric store equipment takes your store and turns it into a space where customers feel comfortable, supported, and ready to buy.
Every category of equipment we covered here is important, but the most crucial piece of fabric store equipment is your point of sale system. This tool touches every transaction, tracks every sale, and manages every customer interaction. If you want your store to deliver an unmatched customer experience, you need a top-tier, fabric-specific POS solution.
Like Sew isn't just another piece of equipment — it's the foundation that makes everything else work together. Ready to see how the right POS system can make your fabric store operations seamless? Schedule a free demo today.