E-Commerce is an improved and effective tool for business in the present automated world, and it also plays a dominant role in communication both intra-companies and inter-companies and also between companies and consumers. Today, the marketplace is flooded with several e-commerce websites for shoppers to choose from. A variety of innovative products and services are being offered to spoil customers for choice. Online shopping is no more a privilege enjoyed by your friends and family living in the US or UK. Today, it is a reality everywhere in the world. In the last couple of years, the growth of the e-commerce industry has been phenomenal as more shoppers have started discovering the benefits of using this platform. There is enough scope for online businesses in the future if they understand the shoppers’ psyche and cater to their needs.
Diverse e-commerce applications are being implemented in the clothes and apparel supply chain. Not only can one shop from the convenience of the home, one can ensure that favored brands will still find a way into one’s wardrobe. Research has proved that apparel sales on e-commerce portals have soared beyond expectations while surpassing the sales of all other categories.
Statistics show that e-commerce is now an essential tool for the apparel industry. In 2018, the industry generated worldwide revenue of $481 billion. In 2019, that statistic rose higher to $545 billion and is projected to rise further to $713 billion by 2022.
Let’s see the benefits of e-commerce in the clothes and apparel industry:
Provides a worldwide Platform
This has to be the primary importance of eCommerce in the apparel industry. With a proper eCommerce website, you get a platform to showcase your talents and creations not just to a handful, but to everyone across the world. The role that e-commerce plays in popularizing apparel cannot be limited to a state or even a country’s borders. One of the biggest contributions of the e-commerce revolution to the apparel industry is that it has brought the world a lot closer and bound it together in yarns and weaves, literally and figuratively.
Versatile demographics
Apparel, accessories, jewelry, footwear, electronics nothing becomes popular until and unless younger men and women are talking about it. It could be boho, it could be elegant, maybe couture, or simply traditional, but the aim is to generate a buzz within the 15-35 age group. It’s important to consider this range because many different types of young audiences can be taken care of by e-commerce portals. Some teenagers are exploring different kinds of styles and are more open to experimenting with different apparel. Then come the collegians, the ones who frequent parties, special occasions, and social gatherings and are therefore always on the lookout for new and inventive or traditional and reinvented clothes. Next, are working men and women who have the maximum amount of purchasing power, especially if they are flying solo.
Lastly, there are adults — working men and women who are settling into their groove and therefore stocking up the wardrobe, especially with traditional, exotic garments that will help them stand out in the crowd at social gatherings.
Personalization: online shoppers
Online shoppers tend to regard personalized offers highly. Many customers will shop around for the best deal. However, if there is a deal tailored specifically to the person, for example, a birthday discount; then the customer will more than likely use that store. Personalized products have a similar effect withdrawing customers away from the competition by offering unique products.
Creates a Brand Name
Statistics show that 81% of the customers need to rely on the brand they are buying from. This can give us a clear idea of how important a brand name is. Thus, along with helping retailers grow their business, eCommerce assists in establishing a brand name.
Boosts Sales (not just Locally)
Why stay limited to local sales? Open up to the world with your innovative products. For the apparel industry, the only way to showcase your products and sell to customers worldwide is by opting for eCommerce.
A garment that was once indigenous to only one country, like India’s sarees, has now become accessible to fashion centers across the globe. Right from Milan and Paris to the glamorous red carpet events in the United States of America, elements of foreign fashion are no longer foreign. Irrespective of whether the apparel falls on the traditional side of the spectrum or modern; the number of takers has increased manifold through e-commerce. While a lot depends on miscellaneous factors on how online marketing works, the fact is that the potential exists.
Popularizing regional and traditional garments
In India, e-commerce portals have boosted sales of regional apparel. Right from special variants of ethnic wedding dresses to traditional costumes, the onset of shopping in the digital age has brought India’s handicraft heritage into the limelight. There are many traditional garments in the country whose sales were originally limited to the geographical area where the weaving community was located. However, nowadays even small and medium enterprises can get an e-commerce portal built and offer their products to a larger audience.
The rise of e-commerce is one of the biggest reasons for traditional and regional apparel becoming trendy. Awareness means that there is a potential customer base that can be tapped if needed.
Customized results: great filtering systems
Finally, fashion shoppers also tend to demand to quickly find the product they want. An easy and effective filter system also contributes to an online shop interface.
The best filtering allows customers to easily access other areas of an online fashion retailer (for example ‘striped shirts > blue striped shirts’). This allows customers to find similar products to the ones they searched for, whilst enjoying their browsing experience. Fashion shoppers may also use a variety of channels to filter for themselves.
Outcome
The benefits of e-commerce include global marketing opportunities for products and markets. With the continued globalization emphasis on the cloth and apparel supply chain, analyses and creative implementation of e-commerce applications may offer unique product and market opportunities. With drivers of growth such as digital channels, increased online access through mobile devices, and technological innovations, it’s no wonder that the online apparel market will skyrocket. With this trajectory in mind, eCommerce brands have the opportunity to maximize their growth and take advantage of revenue potential.
