Because it was one of the first in that market, Tamotsu enjoys considerable leverage with clients, says sales manager Ellen Mullman. Not so with its misses size line. Last year, a department-store chain agreed to carry that line in seven locations. Instead of being the one to call the shots, Tamotsu suddenly found itself with hundreds of competitors, and no leverage. If you go under, they'll just get another vendor.
Superior service is also a niche, of sorts.
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