Imported Ready-Made Wears: Specialised Shops Gain Market Momentum

G one are the days when one shop-sells-all boutiques filled the markets. The recent des­ ires by fashion lovers to build a unique lifestyle that prioritizes indi­ vidual expression over conventional versatile sales, local vendors say, has urged entrepreneurs to reform custo­ mer service and the retail landscape of imported ready-made clothes in Yaounde and Cameroon at large. Accor­ ding to a male off-the-rack clothes’ boutique owner, Lopez Mbou, the need to exude market mastery urged his niche choice for adult male wears. “When I opened my shop in 2009, my sister and I sold everything related to fashion. This made clients question my fashion sense and downplayed my cre­ dibility. Consequently, resulting to our split to sell male and female outfits res­ pectively.” Apart from the market mastery by ven­ dors, clients’ desire for unique looks has further spurred the changing trends. “Shops that focus on particular goods, are usually keen to details and offer brilliant customer services that satisfy and retain clients like me”, a buyer, Nene Fembe said. She added that the need for specialised shops like those for plus size ladies, children, slim ladies, adult (wo)men, often imported from China, Tukey, parts of Africa, America, Canada, and Asia, proves to be more af­ fordable than general shops. Also, the need to sell a lifestyle than just dresses, has been pivotal to some business owners. A boutique owner in Damas Yaounde, Kevin Fonyuy, says he styles ma...