How Much Does It Cost To Start An Outdoor Apparel Brand? (In 2024)
Looking to start an outdoor apparel brand?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start an outdoor apparel brand?
- what are the typical outdoor apparel brand startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting outdoor apparel brands?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real outdoor apparel brands and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
Learn more about starting an outdoor apparel brand:
Where to start?
-> Pros and cons of an outdoor apparel brand
Need inspiration?
-> Other outdoor apparel brand success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an outdoor apparel brand
Other resources
-> Profitability of an outdoor apparel brand
-> Outdoor apparel brand tips
Retail Business Expenses
If you plan to have a brick & mortar location for your outdoor apparel brand, you must weigh the costs of your rent, as it may be the most expensive part of running your business.
Rent costs for your outdoor apparel brand very much depends on your location. This cost will vary by both region and specific areas of town: a lease in the heart of Manhattan could cost over $80,000/month in rent. Meanwhile, a storefront lease in Florida or Tennessee could cost less than $1,000/month.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Shop Decor |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,000 |
Utilities (storefront business) |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,000 |
Building improvements and remodeling |
Optional |
$0 |
$950 |
Storefront Property Rent ➜ |
Optional |
$1,250 |
$3,500 |
POS System |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,200 |
Equipment & Supply Expenses
Starting an outdoor apparel brand may require purchasing some equipment, whether that's for producing the product or packaging the goods, or equipment needed in the back office.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Uniforms |
Optional |
$0 |
$500 |
Business Formation Fees
There are a few key costs associated with forming your business entity, such as setting up an LLC and getting trademarks, copyrights, and patents sorted.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Set up business: LLC & Corporations |
Required |
$50 |
$500 |
Small Business Insurance |
Recommended |
$500 |
$2,000 |
Permit and License Fees |
Optional |
$50 |
$700 |
Trademark |
Optional |
$0 |
$700 |
Lawyer Fees |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,500 |
A Patent ➜ |
Optional |
$5,000 |
$15,000 |
Software Expenses
Your outdoor apparel brand needs software to run efficiently!
Why spend money on software? Because it can help you save time and automate certain parts of the business, so you can focus on the most important matters. Software and technology can help you grow your business, and save you from expensive personnel costs.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
File Hosting Service |
Recommended |
$0 |
$299 |
Email marketing tool |
Recommended |
$0 |
$100 |
Accounting & Invoicing Software |
Recommended |
$0 |
$50 |
CRM Software ➜ |
Recommended |
$12 |
$300 |
Project Management Software |
Recommended |
$0 |
$25 |
Internal Communication Tool |
Recommended |
$0 |
$20 |
IT Support ➜ |
Optional |
$150 |
$2,000 |
Design Programs & Software |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
Social Media Management Tools |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
Payroll Software |
Optional |
$0 |
$200 |
Office Space Expenses
It will be your call to determine if you need office space. It is not a requirement but may be necessary as your outdoor apparel brand grows.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Rent ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,750 |
Utility Costs For Office Space ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,150 |
WiFi & Internet ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$100 |
Employee & Freelancer Expenses
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Payroll Costs & Fees ➜ |
Optional |
$150 |
$250 |
Employee Hiring Expenses |
Optional |
$1 |
$2 |
Employee Rewards ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$100 |
Website Costs
Every business should have a website, and it's worth spending a bit of money to set it up right.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Domain Name ➜ |
Required |
$12 |
$200 |
Website Hosting Costs ➜ |
Required |
$0 |
$300 |
Website Builder ➜ |
Recommended |
$10 |
$500 |
Business Email Hosting Service ➜ |
Recommended |
$1 |
$15 |
Website & Live Chat Tool |
Recommended |
$0 |
$200 |
Web Designer ➜ |
Optional |
$200 |
$6,000 |
Inventory Expenses
If you sell a physical good, you'll likely have to start with some inventory.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Upfront Costs For Inventory |
Optional |
$300 |
$5,000 |
Inventory Storage |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,000 |
Package Design ➜ |
Optional |
$50 |
$3,000 |
Shrinkage |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,000 |
Distribution costs |
Optional |
$0 |
$750 |
Advertising & Marketing Costs
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Business Cards ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
Customer Research & Surveys |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Business Signage ➜ |
Optional |
$75 |
$2,486 |
Direct Campaigns, Printing and Mailing |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Influencer Marketing |
Optional |
$0 |
$750 |
Press |
Optional |
$0 |
$500 |
Google Ads |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Facebook & Instagram Ads |
Optional |
$0 |
$350 |
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.