Debbie Farrar, the owner of a children’s resale franchise in Arlington, Texas, saw double digit increases in 2010 to exceed over $1.5 million in sales. Kid to Kid specializes in buying and selling gently-used children’s and maternity apparel, toys and baby equipment. This is a business model that helps families stretch their budgets as they wait for an economic turn-around.
In comparison, retail sales of clothing and apparel decreased in March, according to a report from the National Retail Federation. GAP, Inc., which includes brands such as Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic, posted a loss of 10 percent in comparable store sales in March.
“I think a big part of our success is just being in the right industry,” Farrar said. “People are discovering they can save money with upscale resale. Our customers will tell you, once they’ve shopped Kid to Kid, it’s difficult to pay the prices anywhere else.” Customers are also flocking to resale stores where they can earn cash for the clothes their kids have outgrown.
The Kid to Kid Franchise System recently named Farrar’s Kid to Kid franchise in Arlington “Store of the Year for 2010.” The award recognizes high sales and profitability. The store has received similar awards consecutively since 2004.
“Debbie exemplifies the high standard of continuous growth and improvement we look for in our franchisees,” Kid to Kid Franchise COO Matt Bullock said. “This achievement springs from her ability to help families meet their needs without compromising quality, safety, or fashion.”
Farrar said one of the keys to her business success is finding new ways to provide value to customers. The Dallas Independent School District began requiring all elementary and middle school students to wear uniforms in 2005, and many other schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are following suit. Seeing the opportunity, Farrar began selling school uniforms in her store. This allows customers to trade in toys and clothes their kids aren’t using to purchase school uniforms.
Another key to Farrar’s success, she said, is that she tries to reinvest her money where the return is the greatest. She bought her first Kid to Kid store in 2003. She now owns two stores in the Fort Worth area with plans to open a third. The Arlington store has expanded multiple times to accommodate increased demand for her products. By comparison, there were more than 1.5 million bankruptcy filings in 2010 — the highest number since 2005 according to the National Bankruptcy Research Center.
“Debbie has tapped the true potential of the resale industry and will continue to expand and excel,” Bullock said. “It’s nice to have some good news in this economy.”
The Arlington Kid to Kid Uniform Store, located at 1201 West Arbrook, Arlington, Texas. Debbie Farrar can be reached by calling (817) 468-1995 .