I never bought shoes, bags, jackets or even a hat online.. It is not that i appreciate the shopping at the physical stores better, i actually hate malls. It is simply because i am not comfortable about paying for shoes for example without trying it on, walking around for 30 seconds in the shoe before i pay for them. I might be very traditional in my way of thinking!I thought maybe that is the same for other people out there. So i searched to see what is the portion of online sales of the total sales..Then i found that chart (see above) at the U.S census Bureau , i was actually amazed to find out that around 66% of the clothing sales happen online..
oh and that data is of 2007! so maybe now by 2010 its even 75% or something...
Wow! It is amazing to see that so many people buy clothes and shoes online! I agree with you Ola! I want to make sure my things fit and that I am comfortable with them before I actually make the purchase. However, since some stores are "brick and click" it is possible that you can purchase these clothes or accessories online and return it to a physical store within a certain number of days if it does not fit or you are not satisfies with it. For example, my friend purchased a swim suit from Victoria Secret and the top was too small so she took it in to the store at the mall and they sent her a bigger size.
ReplyDeleteI know it may seem strange that she did not go to the store in the first place anyway to make the purchase but some stores like Victoria Secret sell stuff online that are not in the stores. I do not know the reason for this if it is to increase online sales or what, but I know they do it. I myself was looking at comforter sets for my bed on Walmart's website and found some really nice ones that could only be bought online. Maybe it is because of storage space in the store as well? But anyway online sales are really increasing for all good and services. Soon enough there may not be any physical stores! Lol!
Karina, I truly hope there will be some physical stores in the futures for some freaks like me included :)) I am personally too much about the whole "shopping experience" and I am pretty sure there are some other people similar to me out there. However, I acknowledge the trend in the online shopping and I believe this can turn into higher profits for the majority of the traditional retail stores. As you were saying, they can decrease the inventory cost of the stores by choosing certain products to be sold only online. Furthermore, it is easier to test the market by first selling online and then if the product sells they can intoduce it in the stores as well.
ReplyDeleteI think people are buying more and more clothing online because of the brick and click group and because it is extremely easy to return something if it does not feel right. I think many people who buy things online are conscience of the brand they are buying and have an idea how the item will fit them. For example, if in one brand you know their shoes run slightly smaller than usual you will purchase the bigger size. If by chance those shoes are too small you could, like Karina mentioned, return it in store if possible; if not just return it to the sender. I wonder what percentage of these online purchases are from 'brick and click' businesses?
ReplyDeleteGiven the trend to purchase more and more items online; I think the most difficult market to grow will be the drug and health aid; given the amount of regulation imposed on the industry. Not to mention, I think most people wait until they feel sick to by any over the counter medications. Also the lead time for the industry is too long because once you are sick you need to be able to have your medication as soon as possible. If medications were able to be dispensed within hours or minutes of the prescription being submitted; the online industry would quickly grow larger than the in-store segment.
I love buying everything online! It is very convenient for us customers. People can buy from anywhere around the world whenever they want. I can see why online sales have grown so much. Many sites even have free shipping and returns in case the person doesn't like the product. You have access to many options which allow you to compare prices as well.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite sites is www.shopbop.com, which by the way, won the prize for best etailer these days! Check it out!
http://blog.shopbop.com/2010/05/shopbop-named-etailer-of-the-year-by-the-aafa.html
Don’t worry Karina and Anamaria always will be a physical store in the future. One good reason is Dell. Dell started as an online company and now is a brick and click company. Another reason is the fear of online fraud, costumer from another countries don’t feel save purchasing on the internet with credit cards that’s why Amazon in Japan allowed its costumer to make payment in any convenience store or ATM. I think that the new tendency will be brick and click, retailers will have online shopping and online companies will have physical store.
ReplyDeleteI am used to buying clothes online! Online retailing is very popular right know. Selling things online (not just clothes) is satisfying customer needs even more conveniently. One of the things that people value the most these days is convenience. Most people have very busy schedules and don't have the time they wish for shopping. Online stores can be accessed everywhere and anytime. I like how sites like Amazon use your profile to tailor offers to your likes and needs. Many times I have made purchases I wasn't even thnking of getting just because of their creative suggestions. It is a very intelligent strategy to get customers yo buy your products. Another example is Saks Fifth Avenue, that sends you emails based on your past purchases. Companies have many ways like these to get customers to buy products and services.
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