The Internet has made a huge difference in many sectors of the economy. The traditional model of the point of sale has changed forever, where people thought of stores as the traditional establishments of yesteryear, so the new generation thinks of stores as places they visit from the comfort of their own homes. The e-commerce website has revolutionized commerce, no market has been left untouched by its monumental influence. This article will look at how the clothing market has changed with the move to online retail.
The clothing trade has been one sector that has been quick to criticize the huge increase in online shoppers. This has been a huge benefit to both major retailers and smaller boutiques. Both can access their markets directly, and for companies with a niche, the web has been a perfect forum for a company to exploit that niche.
For many, everyday clothing retail is something they would prefer to take as little time as possible. If you’re looking for simple items, the idea of a trip to the high street (with all the associated costs) doesn’t necessarily appeal to you. Large retailers have noticed this trend and have been very effective in exploiting it. They have invested considerable time and resources in creating an online shopping experience that not only provides the customer with the convenience they are looking for, but also follows and promotes the brand image that the retailer has developed over many years. For traditional ‘catalog sellers’ this has been even more advantageous, the resources that were traditionally used to create the catalogs can now be used to create the website. They have been given a cheap and easy method of delivering that ‘catalogue’ to their customers, not via the traditional postal route, but via an easily updatable Internet system.
For the customer, this development of online retail has created a world where even plus-size clothing can be ordered almost anywhere or at any time. A consumer can visit a large clothing retailer’s website, select the item and style, then order a number of different sizes, from size 6 to size 28, to ensure they receive the correct size. The only drawback will be the understandable increase in cost to cover additional postage and packaging.
The future is certainly bright for online clothing retail, it has huge benefits for both the consumer and the retailer.
