Hi all… I need your advices or tips how to start selling muslim wear such as Hijab (not burka), abaya, inner in Switzerland or Europe in general. if there any special law to follow, please let me know.

hopefully there is somebody who want to share their first experience of selling things in europe.

If you have a B or C permit it's possible to change to self-employment, but the Swiss authorities have to approve it first. Here's a thread with several links on the subject:

Employment to Self-Employment

A good business plan and sufficient funding for the company will help get approval.

thank you for the link yes, I have B permit, hopefully it'll not too complicated to get the approval from the swiss authorities to be self-employment.

I think you should sell mini minarets. At least they can't put a ban on that but who knows what evil plans lurk in the minds of the SVP' ers

Don't bother with a black coloured swimwear line, it will never sell.

I don't know about laws, but take a look at demographics as you plan. There are more Muslims in France and UK than there are in Switzerland (for example).

Well that's not really surprising given that the population of these countries is 5/6 times that of Switzerland. ( sorry couldn't resist)

Not sure how the numbers compare as a percentage of the total population though, looks like I might have to do some research to find that out as I'm curious to know.

Many if not the overwhelming majority of Swiss Muslims originate from countries such as Bosnia and Turkey, societies that traditionally take a more secular approach to religion. Furthermore, they are fairly well organized in their own communities so probably have access to all articles they may miss from their home countries through their own suppliers. This may make it difficult to break into that market.

no worries…i don't sell swimwear

But why are most abaya's black?

Actually I have impression swimwear is the only missing item

I have never been looking into these things, but you may also want to do demographic research of what people may want. For example, I think it is quite likely that there is lack of beautiful quality headscarves (ones in department stores are usually not big enough), but not sure if there is enough people to buy.

Also, I think people from Bosnia, Kosovo, Turkey usually don't wear abayas. But I have noticed a substantial Egyptian population in Zh.

Because black does not see through as opposed to other colours.

Because of the small number of Muslims in CH, perhaps you can market your product as made to measure high value goods.

I think that is the best way forward as I do not see a substantial market for such products due to the size of the market in Switzerland and as Muslims coming in from abroad might have their own sources - and maybe at much lower prices, ( thus there may be some price resistance ).

Hi ! I don't have any tips, but am wondering if you already have any articles for sale in Switzerland ? I need to travel to KSA soon for a couple of weeks on business and am of course expected to wear the appropriate clothing.

Business casual (shirt/trousers) will be fine in KSA, as long as its not too tight or see through. take a blazer/light jacket just in case. Otherwise, you dont need to wear the local dress for a business trip. I suspect you're going to Riyadh/Dammam area? You'll be fine. Been there a fwe times and never needed to pack anything special.

Is that advice only for men or also valid for women? Is the (international) business setting less strict than public places on appearance?

Not been there, but I thought in KSA even foreign / non-Muslim females were legally required to wear an abaya, though non-Muslims are not legally required to cover their hair (in theory at least....though the British Foreign office suggests to carry a scarf in case the religious police decide to be grumpy).

http://www.economist.com/blogs/econo...st-explains-20

A bit off topic here, but some years ago I was invited to an Indian wedding in London. I gladly accepted, but they said, there is one thing. Everyone needs to wear Indian clothes. I said I didn't know where to get any so they got a friend of theirs to drive me to an Indian shop in Southall where they fitted me out. It wasn't the sort of shop you'd even consider going into if you didn't already know about it. It look pretty bleak, uninviting and almost dilapidated on the outside But once inside all that changed. It was very colourful and so full of clothes you could hardly move. The price was extremely cheap - probably being imported directly, and the salesman was extremely helpful, taking a lot of time to explain the names and functions of all the items to me and how I was supposed to wear them.

I'm just saying this to show that just because as an outside observer you think a community may not have access to special items of clothing, there are probably things you don't know about but that you'd have great difficulty trying to compete with.

Swiss made hijabs are the best quality hijabs... but you need to add a Swiss cross on them in some form to cement the Swissness.

been there, done that.

Hello. Just read all replies to your post ... Yes, I also think that most muslim women (from other countries) import their clothes from their home countries. However, there is a growing number of converted European women and really, it is not easy (nor affordable in most cases) to get beautiful muslim clothes in Switzerland. Having them shipped from France or UK is often expensive and a real hassle if you have to return items. If you get the type of clothes right (good quality and maybe not too specific for a particular muslim country), then yes, there is a market! I know quite a few women who are looking for everyday clothes that fit all muslim requirements but that can also be worn here and somehow not stand out all the time. Wide jeans, long tunics etc. Not all in black neither. ;-)