Starting and growing a hijab business requires more than just passion and a collection of beautiful hijabs; it demands effective strategies to stand out in a competitive market and cater to the diverse needs of your target audience.

Muslim women benefit from hijab businesses as they offer convenience and variety. The demand for modest clothing, coupled with the expected growth of the modest fashion market to $375 billion by 2025, fuels every hijab business.

The Importance of Hijab in Islam

The Hijab is a modest hair and neck covering worn by Muslim women. It is an essential symbol of faith and cultural identity. 

Wearing Hijab shows women’s commitment to their religious beliefs as it is compulsory for all Muslim women who have reached the age of puberty.

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

(Surah Al-Ahzab - 59)

Hijab holds immense significance in Islam, serving as much more than a piece of clothing; it’s a profound expression of faith and identity for Muslim women.

First and foremost, by wearing the Hijab Muslim women are obeying Allah SWT and following Prophet Muhammad PBUH, as well as his pious wives. Furthermore, Hijab gives Muslim women control over how they are perceived and valued by others. Instead of being judged by their appearance, the Hijab values women's intellect and character.

Hijab, above all, symbolises the virtues of modesty and haya' (shyness and humility) in Islam. In their interactions with others, Muslim women wear the hijab to display humility

How to Start and Grow Your Hijab Business Successfully?

1. Market Research

Before you launch your Hijab business, you must undertake extensive market research to understand current industry trends and customer preferences 

Once you identify your target audience, create buyer personas to tailor your products and marketing efforts accordingly.

What’s a buyer persona?

A buyer persona is a detailed profile that helps businesses understand the needs, preferences, behaviors, and demographics of their target audience. It includes elements like:

• Demographics

• Psychographics (emotional aspects)

• Webographics (internet use)

• Motivations

• Behavioral patterns

• Challenges

Check out this link for an example of a free worksheet to help you create your buyer persona in  Canva 

2. Competitive Research

Gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors through careful analysis. Study their marketing strategies via their websites and social media and look at their suppliers, and partnerships to uncover opportunities for your business. 

Studying your competitors will allow you to identify untapped hijab market opportunities. Look for customer segments or niches that your competitors aren't serving.

Make your product offerings or marketing approach tailored to these specific audiences, providing them with a unique shopping experience.

3. Develop a Business Plan

Create a thorough business plan outlining your goals, target audience, marketing strategy, and financial forecasts. It will provide a solid blueprint for success and captivate stakeholders with its engaging presentation.

To develop a well-structured business plan with your team, you can start with brainstorming using online tools like Lucid where you collaborate and gather all of your ideas in one place. Once done, you can use a business plan template like this clothing business Canva template.

4. Choose The Right Suppliers

When operating a Hijab business, the quality and variety of your products hold significant importance in attracting and retaining customers. You must find the right suppliers to ensure a diverse and high-quality selection of Hijabs that meet your customers’ preferences.

Prioritise suppliers who offer high-quality fabrics and materials for your hijabs, ensuring that they can provide a variety of materials suitable for different seasons and occasions. Delivering quality hijabs not only satisfies customers but also enhances the reputation of your brand.

In the Muslim Business Podcast episode with our seller, Modest Mermaid, CEO Emily explains how she manages to find good suppliers for her modest clothing business without having any contacts.

Furthermore, choose reliable suppliers. Delivering stock on time is crucial to avoid disappointing customers and damaging your business's reputation.

5. Build a Strong Brand 

Establish a strong brand identity with an appealing business name, logo, and brand story. To reach a wider audience, and engage customers, use social media. 

When choosing social media platforms, consider your target audience's interests and demographics. Instagram and Pinterest are excellent tools for visual storytelling and showcasing fashion products.

With its viral growth potential, TikTok is ideal for creating engaging short videos and showcasing hijab styling ideas.

Finally, keep customers as satisfied as possible by providing personalised shopping experiences.

6. Embrace Multiple Selling Methods

Expand your reach and maximise your sales potential by utilising multiple selling methods and platforms. The business model you choose depends on your goals. By wholesaling, for instance, you are able to reach a larger audience and collaborate with several local retailers. 

While retailing, coupled with an online channel, gives you full control over your physical store and at the same time, gives you a broader reach.

Online marketplaces, like Riwaya, can help you with selling hijabs online successfully by tapping into existing audiences and tools that allow you to focus on the product. You can start by partnering with Riwaya, the world's first online premium Islamic marketplace. Connect with your target customers by partnering with Riwaya, where we help Hijab sellers connect with their target audiences and provide amazing tools such as order management, access to exclusive partnerships and a part of free marketing worth £1000s!

Hijab Business Ideas

Here are some ideas that may help you narrow down your business idea, of course, market research is the determinant of market attractiveness:

• Online Hijab Boutique

• Custom Hijab Design

• Hijab Accessories

• Wedding hijab and accessories (bridal collection)

• Hijab for Sports and Active Lifestyle

Selling at Riwaya 

Become a Riwaya seller today and showcase your unique designs to the world. Our Islamic marketplace will allow you to focus on developing exceptional products while reaching existing target audiences and enhancing your brand’s visibility.

Elevate your modest fashion game with our exclusive collection of stylish hijabs at Riwaya. Discover a wide range of high-quality fabrics and trendy designs that blend comfort and elegance effortlessly.

FAQs

Q1: What are the most popular hijab styles and trends?

The most trending hijab styles are Linen, Jersey, and Pashmina Hijabs.

Q2: What are some popular hijab accessories?

Popular hijab accessories include Hijab Pins, brooches, headbands, under scarves, and Magnet Pins. These accessories add flair and creativity to Hijab styles, allowing for personalised and fashionable looks.

Q3: What are effective marketing strategies for a hijab business?

To effectively market your hijab business, consider utilising social media platforms to reach a large audience without significant investment. Another strategy you can focus on is discounts. Offering discounts and promotions can also attract new customers and build loyalty among existing ones.

Q4: What are some examples of successful hijab brands?

Haute Hijab is a successful hijab brand that connected with its audience by sharing the story behind its brand's existence, which resonated with its target audience.

Q5: Is the hijab market saturated?

The hijab market has seen an increasing availability of products from various brands worldwide, but it is not necessarily saturated. There are still opportunities to tap into new markets and cater to unique customer needs by offering differentiated products or establishing a distinct brand identity. By way of example, you could niche down and sell customised Hijab accessories instead of selling all types of Hijabs.