Less Risk Seen in Purchasing Clothes Online - New York Times

News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon May 14, 2007 8:18 AM EDT

Article Source: The New York Times

internet, fashion, online, web, sales, retail, clothing, trends

For the first time since online retailing was born a decade ago, the sales of clothing have overtaken those of computer hardware and software, suggesting that consumers have reached a new level of comfort buying merchandise on the Web.

In 2006, revenue from skirts, suits and shoes reached $18.3 billion, surpassing that from PCs, printers and word-processing programs, which totaled $17.2 billion, according to a report to be released today by a major trade group.

The surging popularity of clothing on the Web defies predictions that fashion — which is hard enough to buy in stores, with the aid of sales clerks and fitting rooms — would be difficult, if not impossible, to translate onto the Internet.

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{"commentId":705785,"authorDomain":"danielandrews"}

Daniel Andrews

I buy a ton of my clothes online, but it is amazing to me that it has already surpassed the PC industry. When you consider PC buyers generally are more tech-savvy than ones who buy clothes, and therefore there should be an inherent bias towards those who buy computers online, that stat is even more interesting.

{"commentId":705785,"threadId":"103177","contentId":"717913","authorDomain":"danielandrews"}

1 vote

#1 - Mon May 14, 2007 8:20 AM EDT

{"commentId":706044,"authorDomain":"SarahG21"}

SarahG21

Although I like to "window shop" online, I prefer shopping in a store. I think it has something to do with instant gratification, I see it, I like it, I buy it. No waiting by the door for the Fed-Ex guy, which I do when waiting for something I bought online. My mother buys loads of clothes online, but like was mentioned in the article, she returns 9 out of 10 things. That is the only downfall to online shopping, for anything really.

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#2 - Mon May 14, 2007 10:42 AM EDT

{"commentId":706361,"authorDomain":"stuartscadronwattles"}

I'll Go On

The stat is interesting as a tipping point for the inherent usefulness of the Internet as a shopping tool. When a tool's use becomes more than self-perpetuating and therefore more widespread, it has greater affect on the culture as a whole. Look for clothing design to become "more Internet friendly." Tail wags dog.

{"commentId":706361,"threadId":"103177","contentId":"717913","authorDomain":"stuartscadronwattles"}

#3 - Mon May 14, 2007 12:44 PM EDT

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DANIEL ANDREWS

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Less Risk Seen in Purchasing Clothes Online - New York Times

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