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The allure of online marketplaces

The allure of online marketplaces

Online marketplaces are presenting brands with a flexible online channel to sell products without many of the otherwise associated costs, and they are booming as a result. Even with recent concerns that, used in the wrong way, they can sacrifice reputation and intercept the accrual of vital customer data, the added value far outweighs any potential risk for many brands, and here’s why. For one, online marketplaces offer a significant opportunity for overseas sales via a platform with a name and presence already established in international markets. On top of this, they can form the foundations of new trading partnerships with traders and suppliers which, when sought…
Technology as fast as fashion

Technology as fast as fashion

Recent news around Boohoo hiring technology entrepreneur Sara Murray, has gotten me thinking about fashion retailers and how much of a role technology plays in their business. The new appointment of Sara clearly shows that Boohoo is looking around at the digital world and realising that to get ahead you must be more than just a retailer, you must embrace the technological innovations available. With a background in growing and nurturing very successful tech companies, her expertise in fashion comes second to this. The approach may seem odd, but actually it is very clever and is clearly paying off for Boohoo with their sales increasing 40% year-on-year.…
Top ten fastest growing UK brands and retailers revealed

Top ten fastest growing UK brands and retailers revealed

The recently released AlixPartners Growth Retailers Report 2016, in partnership with Retail Week, has highlighted the mix of channels utilised by the top ten brands and retailers to drive growth. Having recently transformed from a traditional catalogue business, this year’s winner of the AlixPartners Growth Retailer, Shop Direct, now generates all of its revenues online, while top ten-listed Whistles and Mint Velvet have grown their online channels to now account for a fifth of sales. However, it’s also interesting to see two stores among the top five that do not have transactional websites at all; health and beauty retailer Savers and Danish homeware brand, Tiger. Clearly there…
Global expansion – with zero investment

Global expansion – with zero investment

E-commerce has clearly transformed the potential global reach for fashion brands. But simply making this season’s stock available online in a new market is not going to deliver much incremental value. Brands need to build up awareness in a totally new market; determine whether the bricks and mortar expansion should pre-empt or occur in tandem with the E-commerce offer; and quickly ascertain key market differences and synergies to inform strategy. From the multi-million pound investment in marketing and stores to the time it takes to build brand value in each new geography and the challenges of responding to different customer experience expectations, traditional expansion strategies lack both…
Ted Baker invests in international expansion after profits surge

Ted Baker invests in international expansion after profits surge

Designer clothing brand, Ted Baker, will invest £45 million into expansion around the world, it has been reported. With sales in UK stores up almost 9% and growing success in America, the brand has set its sights on Europe, where it plans to open more stores in France, Spain and Germany. International expansion is of course a key strategy for the majority of leading UK fashion brands, and it’s encouraging to see Ted Baker achieving such great results. With Anatwine, even more brands could be experiencing similar success by utilising the evolution in global logistics that has made both national and international product distribution more accessible; they could…