CNN recently reported that China’s COVID surge has hit its economy really hard. The country’s apparel sector is arguably one of the industries that were hit the hardest. However, while China’s apparel industry did take a hit, the global apparel market continues to grow, and at present, it doesn’t care if China is a part of it or not.

According to the “Apparel Global Market Report 2022”, the global apparel market will reach a value of $843.13 billion in 2026. Because of this, local clothing brands must up their game and appeal to new customers, so that they, too, can contribute to and participate in this market growth. For that, these local clothing brands need to act now.

Here are a few things local clothing brands must do in 2023 to attract new customers.

1. Invest in a Localized SEO Strategy

While the internet has provided many advantages for local clothing brands, it has also made it difficult for them to stand out from the crowd. While Google searches can help you find exactly what you’re looking for, it’s important to remember that the search giant is focused on delivering results that are relevant to what users are searching for and not necessarily what small businesses want them to see.

That’s where localized SEO comes in. Localized SEO is a strategy used by small businesses and other organizations to increase their visibility on Google Maps and Google Search. It involves optimizing your website content and URLs, so they appear in search results when people search for local businesses like yours.

When implemented correctly, this strategy can help your business rank higher in organic search results so potential customers will be more likely to click on your listing and visit your site, and even make a purchase.

For instance, if you’re from Denver, Colorado, you’re likely going to sell jackets and hiking pants, as activewear is in high demand there due to the abundance of camping activities.

In that case, your best bet is to work with a Denver-based SEO consultant who can utilize a localized SEO strategy. The SEO experts over there can help you with various digital marketing services, including keyword research and branding through social media channels.

That way, you can maximize your SEO-based branding efforts for your clothing brand.

2. Keep the Local Weather in Mind When Launching New Products

When putting out new products, local brands should keep the local weather in mind.

A brand’s products must be well-suited for the season and climate where they will be sold. For example, you wouldn’t want to release a product that’s intended for winter when it’s summertime in your area.

This is especially true if you’re using social media to advertise your products since many people tend to purchase items based on how they look rather than how they perform. If your product looks good but doesn’t serve its intended purpose well, you’ll end up losing potential customers who won’t be able to use it properly or at all.

Before you invest in any new inventory, think about what kind of weather your target audience will be dealing with during each season of the year. Then, make sure that any new products reflect what they’ll need most during those times.

3. Have Local Influencers Promote Your Brand

One of the best ways to attract new customers is to have local influencers promote your brand.

These are people who have a large following and influence their audience with what they like, what they buy, and where they shop. They may be bloggers or Instagrammers, or even just friends and family who love to share their favorite finds with others.

If you can get these influencers to mention your brand in their posts, you will get a lot of free publicity. It’s not as hard as you think. All you need is a product that fits into their style and personality and maybe even a little bit of money.

You mustn’t go overboard when trying to get them involved in promoting your brand. If they don’t believe in it or feel like they’re being forced into promoting something they don’t want to promote, the whole thing could backfire on you, and no one wants that.

As per Grand View Research’s findings, the global influencer marketing platform market has a market value of over $10 billion. That means if you look in the right places, you can easily find local influencers to promote your brand.

4. Advertise Traditionally Along With Digital Ads

Local clothing brands often focus their advertising efforts on digital platforms simply because they have more control over these platforms than they do traditional ones. However, local clothing brands should consider advertising in both traditional and digital media if they want to attract new customers.

Traditional media might include billboard ads, newspaper ads, or radio ads. These forms of advertising can be expensive but provide the opportunity for a brand to reach more people in its target demographic than other types of media.

If you want to reach younger people, for example, you may want to advertise on college campuses or at local music venues and sporting events. If you want to reach older people who may not use social media regularly or don’t have access to it at all, print ads might be your best bet.

The apparel market can be difficult to navigate. But if you put in the effort, it becomes a little easier. With these tips, you can easily appeal to new customers and start working on your local clothing brand as it slowly grows bigger.