Should I keep ordering next season’s stock while my boutique is for sale?

Buying events for next season fall when many owners are also trying to sell. You need a full shop to keep customers and to show buyers a working business. You also do not want to leave a buyer holding orders they never chose. The way through is to decide in advance how much you will commit, and to be open about it.

Keep the shop trading

A thin or stale shop tells buyers the business is winding down. Buyers tend to see a consistent reordering routine as easier to judge than a sudden stop or a dramatic change. The decision stays with the owner, your lawyer and your accountant.

Tell buyers what is on order

Keep a simple list of open orders, delivery dates and supplier terms, and be ready to share it under a confidentiality agreement. Check whether orders can be cancelled or moved to a new owner, and whether a supplier would want to approve the change. Open orders that surface late can complicate a sale, so keep the list current and ask each supplier what its terms allow if the business changes hands.

Let the buyer have a say

Once a buyer is serious, consider asking before placing large or late-season orders, and agree in writing who bears the risk if the sale does not close. Your lawyer can draft that into the agreement. Our guide to selling a clothing boutique shows how to prepare current stock for buyers.