The Ultimate Guide to Building a Clothing App Like Castore: Cost, Process & Tech Stack

If you’re inspired by the success and business model of the UK’s largest sportswear brand, Castore, and thinking of developing a similar app for your brand, your decision could make your business the next big thing in the UK’s clothing and fashion industry. However, to do so, you will first need to understand every detail of the clothing app development process and the UK’s sportswear and clothing market.  

Of course, the UK’s online clothing industry is profitable and expanding rapidly, with new players entering the market every single day. The demand for apps like Castore has increased due to people’s preference for doing online shopping instead of store visits. Around 80% of people in the UK make online purchases through their smartphones. According to GlobalData.com, the UK’s sportswear market was worth $13.8 billion in 2020, which is expected to reach $16.85 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4%. 

The growing revenue of the industry shows indications of its expansion and green flag to businesses looking to invest in this area. So, without wasting much time, let’s understand how you can develop a sportswear app like Castore and be a part of the UK’s growing clothing industry. 

Market Overview of Sportswear Industry in the UK

Before investing a significant sum in developing a sportswear app like Castore, it is crucial to understand your business venture's market potential and profit opportunities. 

Here are some stats highlighting the profit potential of the sportswear industry in the UK:

• The UK’s sportswear market was worth $13.8 billion in 2020, which is expected to reach $16.85 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4%. (Source: Global Data)
• The sportswear industry is expected to generate $28.95 in revenue per person in the UK. (Source: Statista)
• Based on product type, the UK’s sportswear market is fragmented into apparel (54.6%), footwear (34.38%), and wearables (10.26%). (Source: Fortune Business Insights)

Is It Profitable to Develop an App Like Castore?

Online sportswear apps have become a necessity in the UK’s ever-evolving clothing market. The demand behind them remains the people’s growing preference for ordering at home rather than visiting physical stores. These apps, especially Castore, allow them convenience in browsing and ordering their favorite sportswear apparel from the comfort of their homes. 

The online sportswear market is huge and still expanding, indicating the best time to invest in clothing app development. Castore is not the only sportswear app to inspire you; there are many others, including Sports Direct, Temu, Shien, Gymshark, and Marysia. 

The apps offered by these brands are easily available on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store and offer the convenience of shopping online rather than visiting stores and spending hours on finding your favorite apparel. 

Here are some benefits of developing an app like Castore: 

Enhanced Customer Engagement

Developing a mobile app for your sportswear brand is probably the best way to enhance your customer engagement. Although it is challenging to keep users engaged on a website, it is equally easy in mobile apps through push notifications about discount coupons, promotions, new arrivals, and special events. 

Improved Customer Experience

As sportswear apps offer a user-friendly and seamless shopping experience, people have started to embrace online shopping rather than visiting physical stores. Moreover, these apps help users browse products, get detailed information, and make purchases with just a few clicks. 

Inventory Management

With a dedicated app for your business, you can easily manage your inventory, monitor stocks in real-time, and prevent common situations of overstock or understock. 

Competitive Advantage

You can see the success of sportswear brands like Castore. The earlier you invest in sportswear app development, the more benefits you get compared to your competitors. By keeping up with the technology and user’s preference for online shopping, your investment will be sure to get you a higher ROI. 

Global Reach

While brick-and-mortar stores are limited to a specific location, sportswear apps have the potential to reach a global audience. You can expand your sportswear brand to new markets and demographics with a working marketing strategy. 

Key Features to Consider in a Sportwear App Development

If you’re developing an app like Castore, you will need to incorporate similar features or even more advanced ones into your app. As features are the core components of a mobile app, you shouldn’t take this step lightly. 

Here’s a quick look into the key features you should consider in your sportswear app like Castore: 

Apart from the above-mentioned features, here are some core functionalities of the sportswear app for users: 

1. Easy-to-Use Interface 

Your app should look good and be easy to navigate, just like a favorite piece of clothing. Aim for a smooth shopping experience that makes users think, “Wow, this app is as cool as my favorite track pants.”

2. Social Sharing 

Fashion is all about sharing. Let your users share their great finds with friends. Add social media features so they can show off their style, get feedback, and spread the fashion love.

3. Quick and Secure Checkout 

No one likes waiting in line, even online. Ensure the checkout process is fast and secure, with multiple payment options and saved delivery addresses. Maybe even add a fun touch, like virtual confetti, to celebrate each purchase. Allow payments via cash on delivery, credit, debit, mobile wallets, and more.

4. Favorites and Wishlists

Wishlists are essential for fashion lovers. Allow customers to create their dream collections, save items for later, and receive notifications when their favorite products go on sale. It’s like having a personal stylist who knows your tastes.

5. Trending and New Arrivals

Include a section for trending items and new arrivals to keep users updated with the latest arrivals. Highlight the most popular styles, seasonal must-haves, and limited edition pieces so everyone can be the first to wear the newest trends.

6. Personalization & Recommendations

A clothing app can offer personalized suggestions based on user’s past purchases and browsing history. This helps users discover new products that suit their preferences and needs.

7. Push Notifications 

Push notifications are great for keeping customers informed about their orders and other important updates. App developers should include push notifications in their clothing app to ensure users stay updated on their orders and other key information.

8. Search Function 

A sportswear app should have an advanced search and filtering function to help users find specific products or categories of clothing. This is useful for those looking for a particular item or clothing within a certain price range or size.

9. Size Section 

Search and filter options should include color, style, size (with a separate section for plus sizes), and price range. Additionally, the app can offer filters for material, fit (slim, regular, relaxed), or features (pockets, hood, zip-front).

10. Customer Service 

Finally, provide excellent customer service. Make sure your users can easily reach out for support via email, live chat, or other means. Offering prompt and friendly customer service will create a positive impression and encourage repeat business.

Required Tech Stack for Developing an App Similar to Castore

The technology behind the mobile apps of big sportswear brands like Castore keeps users engaged and shopping again. Therefore, you should go the extra mile in deciding on the right and most advanced tech stack for your sportswear app. 

Here’s a table highlighting the suitable tech stack required for developing a sportswear app like Castore:

Steps to Developing a Clothing App Like Castore

Developing a sportswear app like Castore is a crucial process that demands intense planning, market research, careful execution, and a step-by-step guide to ensure your money, time, and efforts are worth every penny. 

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a successful sportswear app in the UK:

Step 1: Planning and Budgeting

Before you start developing a sportswear app, it's crucial to plan and budget effectively. This helps you organize your resources and define your business goals.

• Are you aiming to grow your online e-commerce business, or do you want to partner with other companies to enhance customer service?
• In which regions will your app be accessible?
• Can you provide one-day delivery to your customers?
• Who will develop your app? Would you prefer to work with an outsourcing company?
• What makes your sportswear app stand out from the competition?
• What other features would you like to include in your clothing app?

Additionally, it’s important to think about your budget and compare it with the potential expenses during the development process. As an entrepreneur, you can allocate your budget for different items and resources that you will need.

Step 2: Market Research and Analysis

Once you have finished planning and budgeting for your Clothing Store App, it’s time to do market research. This step involves gathering information about the market.

Here are some questions to consider:

• How many sportswear apps are currently available?
• What makes customers choose one app over another?
• Do trends influence buyers?
• Do customers prefer seeing a single brand or a variety of categories?
• What are the costs associated with hiring developers and purchasing computers?

Since the market and trends are constantly evolving, it’s important to monitor these changes while continuously developing your clothing store app.

Step 3: Design Phase

Do you know why customers keep coming back to your app? The main reason is your service. How you treat your customers and the quality of your products are crucial.

However, your app's visual design also plays a big role in their experience. Your app should have a calm and stylish look. This makes customers feel confident that they will find what they need, and good user experience design keeps them engaged.

Designing means placing important elements where customers can easily find them. If the design team doesn’t make some options visible, users might miss them.

Step 4: Development Phase

Now that the design phase is done, it’s time to start building your sportswear app. However, you will need to hire an in-house development team or outsource your project to a professional mobile app development company in the UK. 

When it comes to hiring your development team, you have a few choices. You can hire part-time or full-time developers, which might require a lot of effort to find the right people.

Step 5: Quality Assurance Testing

Once you have designed and built your sportswear app, the work isn't quite finished. It's crucial to ensure your app works perfectly before launching it to customers. This is where Quality Assurance (QA) Testing comes in.

QA Testing is essential to ensure your online store functions smoothly. QA testers collaborate with app developers to identify and fix bugs in the app. They perform manual and automated tests to examine every part of the app thoroughly.

These detailed tests help catch any issues before they can affect users. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your Clothing Store App is flawless and ready for launch.

Step 6: Launching and Marketing Strategies

When launching your Clothing Store App, you have a few options. You can release it on the PlayStore, the Software Store, or both to reach a wider audience.

But how would you attract and retain users on your app?

Digital marketing has a crucial role here. You can also draw attention with Google ads and social media. Use Facebook or Instagram ads to showcase your Clothing Store App. These marketing strategies can help your business grow by making your app more visible and widely used.

Step 7: Gathering Feedback and Making Updates

Collecting feedback from users of your sportswear app is essential. Understanding what they like and dislike helps you enhance your app.

• Are users facing issues while ordering clothes? 
• Do they enjoy using the wishlist or look for other options? 
• Is the app loading quickly?

These are the questions you should ask after a few months of using your app. The responses will guide you in updating it. You can fix bugs or help users find what they need more easily.

By listening to your users and making improvements based on their feedback, you can make your clothing store app better. This leads to happier customers and a successful business.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Castore?

The cost of developing an app like Castore can vary greatly depending on several factors. For a basic app with essential features such as product listings, user accounts, and a shopping cart, the estimated cost ranges from $30,000 to $50,000. This would cover the development of core functionalities needed to launch a minimum viable product (MVP).

However, the cost can increase significantly if you want a more advanced app with additional features like in-app purchasing, social media integration, and a sophisticated user interface. Mid-range apps with these enhanced capabilities can cost between $50,000 and $150,000.

It’s important to note that these figures are estimates and the actual cost can be influenced by:

• The complexity of the app’s design and features.
• The geographical location of the development team.
• The platforms the app will be available on (iOS, Android, web).
• Ongoing costs for app maintenance, updates, and server hosting.

Conclusion

Developing a sportswear app like Castore is a crucial process that demands intense planning, market research, careful execution, and a step-by-step guide to ensure your money, time, and efforts are worth every penny. Above, we have provided a detailed guide to developing a clothing app like Castore, covering its benefits, features, tech stack, process, and cost estimation. 

Throughout this journey, Mtoag Technologies stands as your development partner to build an advanced mobile app for your sportswear brand in the UK. With over 14+ years of experience in the mobile app development domain, we leverage the expertise of our development team to create one-of-a-kind solutions. 

FAQs

What is the Biggest Sportswear Brand in the UK? 

Nike is the biggest sportswear brand in the UK, generating an average of 1.77 million searches per month, followed by Adidas and GymShark.

How Much is the UK Sportswear Market Worth? 

The UK sportswear market was valued at GBP 13.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4% by 2025.

Is Castore a British Company? 

Yes, Castore is a British sportswear company founded in 2015 by brothers Thomas and Philip Beahon. It is headquartered in Manchester, England.

Is Castore a Good Brand? 

Castore is considered a good brand, known for its premium performance sportswear. It has received positive reviews for its quality and innovation.

Is Castore Making Money? 

Yes, Castore is making money. The company has secured significant investments and is on track to achieve record revenues and profits in 2023.