Let's Get RAW!

So I’ve been ichatting lately with one of my best friend’s from high school, Suzanne Sommerville, who always talks about the Retail Boutique she works at. So I wanted to know a little more by asking her a few questions that interested me to find out what’s going on in San Diego vs. LA style. Here’s some background first to get an idea of the store: Raw Clothing, is in Pacific Beach, a San Diego Retail Boutique that’s been around for 17 years and is all about gray walls, barbed racks, designer denim, and street style. Their Target Market is Men and Women ranging from the ages of 18-Mid 30’s. Compared to other boutiques this one has style alongside reasonable prices. The price ranges for the following: Men’s Wear: $25- $130, Women’s Wear: $25- $100, Men’s & Women’s Denim: $98- $280, Accessories: $45- $100 (Watches: $100- $400), and Sunglasses (Spy, Sabre, Von Zipper, Nixon): $75- $240. Carrying labels such as, Hudson, James, Paige, Frankie B, Willam Rast, 1921, 7 Diamonds, Ben Sherman, English Laundry, Aqua XI, Quilksilver, and much more. The clothing is known for being savvy, casual, and contemporary. So, Now to the questions!

1. Because your store’s location is in PB does that give you a lot of traffic?

• "Being in PB we do get a lot of traffic, the only hard part is most people when coming to PB aren't coming to shop, they are coming to either go to the bars or the beach, but being around for almost 18 years has given us an advantage, which has provided us with a pretty good list of loyal customers."

2. Who are your top three buyers that you purchase your merchandise from?

• "In Women's it's Frankie B, Eight Sixty and Hudson, and in Men's it's 7 Diamonds, Ben Sherman and Hudson."

3. What sizes does your store usually run out of first? And would you say those sizes fit true to the customer?

• "The sizes we run out of first in Women's is 23-25's in Jeans and XS and S in other items. In Men's it's 32/33 in Jeans and L and XL in Shirts. Our sizes fit true to the customer we have a lot of really small girls that come to us."

4. How is your store structured and What feeling or vibe is achieved while entering your store?

• "Our store has been around for almost 18 years, and not too much has changed. It's still owned by the same couple, who are such friendly people. We are very helpful and always determined to find something for anyone and everyone. Being located in PB we're surrounded by a ton of very cheap stores, which doesn't pay much attention to customer needs. We are the exact opposite, we sell quality clothes and provide quality service."

5. What Item or Trend has been popular in sales this past month?

• "In Women's our most popular right now I would say Skinny Jeans and Jeggings, and in Men's it'd probably be our dress shirts."

6. What would be one thing you would change or add to your store?

• "I would change the size of our store. I feel like we could offer a lot more if it was bigger, which would also give us more space to fill with more merchandise to sell."

I love how Raw Clothing is right on the Beach close to everything and has been around for 17 years, selling items that are perfect for when you need to buy some essentials, and how they meet their customer's needs as well as their wallets. I can't wait to hit up her store when I go to visit because it's hard for me to find items that are smaller than usual sizes, especially pants or jeans so having smaller sizes is great for someone like me. Fashion that fits, is stylish, and isn't too pricey, especially during this economy hiccup... Gets a pat on the back from me!

Photos derived from Erin Hall, Boutiquing - http://www.boutiquing.com/2010/03/raw-clothing-smooth-edge-established.html