We keep bringing you the good news about online clothing sales.
We recently reported that July sales and year on year online clothing sales had consistently grown.
It doesn’t stop there, research by the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index shows that in the first half of 2009, online sales stood at £22.9 billion and that online sales have been far stronger than high street retail.
Revised forecasts but online clothing sales still performing well
IMRG have revised the online retail growth forecast as there has been some slowing across online sales as a whole. However, that growth forecast is for all online sales and clothing continues to buck the trend performing well. Online sales as a whole have recorded positive growth for every month this year while high street has only had one positive month.
Online clothing sales – more good news
In the first half of 2009, online shoppers spent £2.1 billion on clothing and growth outstripped high street retail. Research by BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed that high street retail dropped due to poor weather and that clothing sales were underperforming.
Echoing IMRG’s findings, the British Retail Council found that non-food non-store sales (internet, mail-order and phone sales) in July were 20.0% higher than a year ago.
Bad weather is undoubtedly a key factor, arguably greater than any economic downturn, and with autumn approaching now is the time to optimise your online presence.
Clothing sales – why are clothes performing so well online?
Research shows that online clothes sales perform well online due to:-
- advanced and niche range of products on offer
- good product information, fashion commentary and following
- strong visual impact of websites
- clear, reliable and cost effective returns policies
- not impacted by poor weather
- convenience of home shopping
Adapting critical factors to improve online clothes sales
Taking the above factors into consideration it is critical to act if you are to ride the online sales growth:-
- Provide as much comment, information, tips and customer interaction as possible. Online sales succeed most where there is plentiful information. Take the positive high street elements into your online store… you’ve already got rid of the mindless assistant but make sure that your visitors are fully informed.
- Make sure images are not only thumbnails but also fully expandable with varied shots if possible. Do not scrimp on the images, these transfer the luxury feel of your designer products.
- Make sure you prominently position all delivery and return policies. Transfer some of the ‘brick and mortar’ cost savings on to your customers and steer clear of words like cheap and bargain, this immediately removes the luxury of designer clothes.
- Make sure you let people know you are providing value with a capital V. Echoing the above compromise delivery and price margins to build loyal customers.
- Brag about your knowledge of fashion, be the first to market on breaking lines.
- Make shopping a luxury, forget the grey of outdoors and capitalise on the convenience of home shopping.
What next? How do I drive my designer clothing sales up?
Here at The WebMarketing Group we are expert in all SEO aspects. We can review your website and break down logical steps to improve your website in easy to manage steps.
We can boast many designer clothing clients who are already seeing increased traffic, greater customer conversion and a huge online presence.
You may also like to read our related articles e-Commerce Success – Critical Factors To Help You Thrive Part 1 and e-Commerce Success – Critical Factors To Help You Thrive Part 2.
Contact us now to discuss how we can improve your website. Now is the time to get your site optimised. Call us on 0845 555 5040.
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