Las Vegas, a city synonymous with extraordinary experiences, extends its unique touch even to the realm of uniform retail. Stepping into La Isla Uniforms, located just off the bustling Las Vegas Strip, is akin to entering an oasis, a far cry from the typical, utilitarian uniform store. From the moment you enter, the soothing sounds of chirping birds and smooth jazz set a relaxing tone, instantly differentiating it from the expected retail environment. A welcoming tiki bar dispenses refreshing filtered water, while strategically placed candy and lollipops offer a sweet treat. Full-sized palm trees add to the tropical ambiance, and a high-definition TV plays movies like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” providing entertainment. Shoppers can even indulge in massage chairs, creating a truly unique and enjoyable shopping break. The air is subtly scented with ocean breeze and tropical flowers, and the sunlight-mimicking lighting avoids the harshness of typical fluorescent fixtures. Even the fish in their tanks appear serene, contributing to the overall relaxed atmosphere.
This immersive environment is unexpected in a uniform store, especially one situated on a busy Las Vegas street. However, La Isla Uniforms embodies the Vegas spirit of going above and beyond. This family-operated business has expanded significantly, occupying a spacious 12,000-square-foot building. It has evolved into more than just a uniform supplier; it’s become a destination, attracting not only those required to wear uniforms but also tourists intrigued by its unique appeal. In a city known for its demanding work environments and desert climate, La Isla Uniforms offers a surprisingly enjoyable and relaxed workplace for its employees and a delightful shopping experience for its customers.
Dimitrios Stavros, the Director of Operations and manager, emphasizes the store’s commitment to providing a “full unique shopping experience.” He notes that traditional uniform stores often focus solely on necessity, neglecting the customer’s shopping experience. La Isla Uniforms aims to revolutionize this, striving to create an unparalleled shopping environment that transcends typical retail expectations. Stavros focuses on engaging all senses, transforming a mundane necessity into an enjoyable outing.
Stavros’s deep-rooted connection to the apparel industry, stemming from his father’s ready-to-wear business, provided him with a strong foundation. While his sister manages the family’s Los Angeles ready-to-wear store, Stavros ventured into the uniform sector. Recognizing a prime opportunity in Las Vegas, he acquired a building ideally located on Sahara Avenue, near the Strip, a high-traffic area with over 50,000 vehicles passing daily. Having frequently visited Vegas for business and industry events, Stavros understood the potential of this location. Purchasing the large building ensured long-term stability in a desirable location, eliminating concerns about lease renewals.
“[The building] was exactly what we wanted: a big store space on a main artery,” Stavros explains. His vision was to cater to both local Las Vegans and the city’s massive tourist influx. Las Vegas attracts approximately 40 million visitors annually, presenting a significant market opportunity. Stavros aimed to adapt the successful business model from their Los Angeles ready-to-wear store to the larger, potentially more lucrative Las Vegas market, transitioning from a mass-merchant approach to specialized uniform retail.
The name “La Isla Uniforms,” meaning “the island uniforms,” was chosen by Stavros for his appreciation of the Spanish language and the evocative imagery associated with islands. He opted for a name that transcended personal branding, aiming to build a brand identity larger than himself.
La Isla Uniforms offers a comprehensive range of uniform types, including medical scrubs, construction apparel, classic black and white casino uniforms, restaurant attire for both front and back-of-house staff, and uniforms for security and EMT personnel. Recognizing the demand for comfortable and safe footwear, they expanded their product line to include non-slip and comfort footwear. Initially hesitant due to the high inventory costs, Stavros waited until the store was well-established before venturing into footwear. Now, La Isla Uniforms stocks mid-range to high-end brands, believing that superior quality translates to greater durability, comfort, and ultimately, better value for the customer.
The store employs 13 full-time salespeople, all extensively trained in product knowledge. They do not have in-house seamstresses, screen printers, or embroiderers, focusing instead on expert sales and customer service. One employee specializes in managing orders, including personalized special orders.
“We will special order anything from any company without charging our customers upfront. We take the gamble, not our customers,” Stavros states. This customer-centric approach extends to handling backorders or customer cancellations without penalizing the shopper. Furthermore, La Isla Uniforms absorbs shipping and ordering fees for special items. While many retailers opt for private labels, La Isla Uniforms prioritizes brand names, recognizing customer preference for established and trusted brands. Their high sales volume allows them to purchase merchandise in bulk, often by the pallet.
Success wasn’t immediate. Like any new venture, La Isla Uniforms initially faced the challenge of building a customer base. On their opening day, August 26, 2002, sales totaled a mere $100. Today, Stavros proudly notes that they achieve that sales figure within the first few minutes of each business day. He attributes this remarkable growth to proactive marketing and advertising strategies. La Isla Uniforms maintains advertisements in every yellow pages directory, a significant investment that Stavros deems essential. Additionally, advertisements in major tourist guides and hotel welcome packets contribute to an impressive 2 million ad views monthly, further amplifying their reach.
“Our marketing budget is more than some uniform stores gross in a year. We’re just in a different category, so we have to sell more than the average uniform store,” he explains, highlighting the scale of their operation and marketing commitment.
This extensive marketing, combined with positive word-of-mouth referrals, has attracted a global clientele to La Isla Uniforms. While an unconventional tourist attraction, the store welcomes visitors from across the United States and numerous international locations. La Isla Uniforms caters to individual customers as well as large-scale clients, including companies, restaurants, hospitals, colleges, and even Nevada state employees. Loyal customers frequently travel from neighboring states like Arizona and California to shop at La Isla Uniforms.
Customer appreciation is deeply valued at La Isla Uniforms. Stavros finds it “humbling” when customers express their willingness to travel long distances or choose La Isla Uniforms for all their apparel needs, even beyond uniforms. He views such feedback as a reminder of their commitment to customer service. He recounts the story of a woman who, based on recommendations from nurse friends, visited La Isla Uniforms for compression hosiery. Her friends emphasized La Isla’s extensive inventory and exceptional service, leading to her becoming a devoted customer, purchasing a wide range of items beyond her initial need.
Tourists occasionally inquire about the possibility of opening similar La Isla Uniforms stores in their hometowns, including locations like Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Louisiana. However, Stavros believes the Las Vegas location’s high foot traffic is crucial to their business model. The average customer sale is around $50, necessitating a consistent volume of customers.
Stavros has observed significant shifts in the uniform market over the past three decades. Historically, a single nurse’s uniform purchase could amount to $300, encompassing dresses, stockings, hats, shoes, and aprons. The contemporary medical field predominantly utilizes scrubs, resulting in lower apparel costs and increased competition, including the entry of chain stores into the market. This trend extends to other uniform types, with major retailers like Walmart and Target stocking Dickies and Carhartt for construction wear and scrubs for medical professionals, effectively transforming everyday apparel into uniforms.
“They see that normal, everyday apparel can also be transformed into a uniform. This used to be a quiet little industry, but now all the big names are making it more mainstream,” Stavros remarks. He emphasizes that success in today’s uniform industry demands exceptional customer service and a commitment to attracting customers in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The internet poses a significant competitive challenge. La Isla Uniforms of Las Vegas is developing a website to broaden its customer reach, but Stavros remains confident in the advantages of in-person shopping. Customers value the ability to physically examine fabrics, assess quality, and ensure proper sizing. He also points out the potential uncertainties of online shopping, such as return processes and shipping fees. Ultimately, customer choice extends beyond price. Quality products, superior service, established presence, and a distinctive shopping experience are paramount factors in La Isla Uniforms’ enduring success.
“We’re 12,000 square feet and we’re not going anywhere,” Stavros confidently asserts. He likens their business journey to “sowing and reaping,” stating that they are now entering a “harvest time” where they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. While the initial stages were demanding, their clearly defined mission statement has proven successful. Moving forward, La Isla Uniforms remains dedicated to its goal of being recognized as the best uniform store in the United States.
La Isla Uniforms of Las Vegas
967 E. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Tel: (702) 734-7070
Fax: (702) 734-1885
