Consumer Study Finds More Brides Purchase Wedding Gowns at Locally-Owned Bridal Salons

DETROIT - Nov. 26, 2018 - PRLog -- Better Bridal Group (BBG), the organization of over 200 locally-owned bridal salons across the US, is reporting that the national brick and mortar bridal salon industry has grown to represent 69% of all bridal gown sales in the US; up from 58% in 2011, according to the 2018 Wedding Attire Study from The Knot. The study also found that 96% of all brides purchase a wedding gown. Bridal gown sales at local, brick-and-mortar bridal salons are poised to grow even further with the help of the improving economy.  This new generation of strong, savvy local wedding shop owners are highly focused on trends, business practices and customer service.

"The independent bridal salon industry is in a generational shift.  These new sales figures show that the continuous improvements savvy brick and mortar bridal shop owners are making appeal to their local brides over national chain stores and online sales. Brick-and-mortar bridal salons provide exactly what regional brides want.  A unique, personal experience from a locally-owned bridal salon that supports their local economy and has a stake in their local community," states Michelle McFarland, BBG Co- Owner. She continues, "Independent bridal salons across the country are much more nimble than big-box chain stores or online sites.  They are quick to make improvements as customer demands change. Utilizing better business practices, implementing core education and working with production partners to offer customization.  Brides are recognizing, now more than ever, that locally-owned bridal salons provide the personalized customer experience they need and desire."

Contrary to many reports, David's Bridal is not losing sales to online sites. Rather, it is the increased sales at independently-owned bridal salons that is gaining traction. As brides continue to seek more of an "experience" while shopping. Undertrained and overworked employees at big box stores cannot compete with independent retailers.  And brides see impersonal online sites as too big of a risk for such an important purchase. According to The Knot's study 22% of gowns sales were in chain stores, down -11% from 33% in 2015. And online purchases, which include everything from online only retailers, specialty store websites, user-to-user sites and national chain bridal websites, only represents 7% of bridal gown sales, down from 8% in 2015.

Better Bridal Group (BBG), founded in 2006, is the longest running organization of brick-and-mortar bridal store owners focused on education and the advancement of the independent bridal salon industry. For more information about the Independent bridal salon industry, contact Michelle McFarland at (248) 259-2631 or michelle@betterbridalgroup.com.