The global pandemic has modified our shopping experience and created a surge in online shopping platforms and online shopping has been a trend for years. However, until recently, the importance of online branding had not been emphasised. So how has online shopping changed shopping experiences?
With online options today, individuals can purchase just about anything, be it textbooks, clothing or even furniture items at convenient prices. From the comfort of our home, we have the opportunity today to look for anything without any boundaries, especially when it comes to fashion. Online shopping for trendy clothing has shattered local boundaries and created global trends which has simplified the manufacturing processes for most fashion corporations. Furthermore, e-commerce fashion has the added benefit of time convenience, unlike a traditional brick and mortar store. The possibility of shopping anytime from dusk until dawn has increased the popularity of these e-commerce fashion retail brands.
The availability of price comparisons and sizes whilst using online shopping platforms has made fashion more accessible and allowed fashion corporations to expand horizons. The prospect of an increased customer base has increased the sizes offered by these brands and increased global inclusivity for all body types. One body type and shape has been dominant in the fashion industry for decades, however with e-commerce businesses have decided to change their production models and break the stereotype. The most essential reason that has surged online fashion and retail brands are ‘unlimited choice.’ With the internet, individuals can shop from a screen for almost anything and the options are tremendous. Researchers have stated that more than 60% of individuals can find exactly what they want to buy without a hassle due to the filter and keyword options.
Due to progression in online trends, brands have even been able to offer customisation options and personal shoppers like Amazon’s personal shopper feature that curates boxes for you based on a questionnaire. Today individuals can experiment with fashion styles using rental options and have the ability to return things at a whim. The freedom that comes alongside online shopping is what has continued to change our shopping experience.
However, like everything else, online shopping has its limits. The biggest threat is the safety of your information, especially with credit card shopping. Phishing is a prominent drawback of online shopping, wherein retailers use your information to commit severe frauds. Furthermore, the issue with reliability is drastic especially with websites like Wish who sell clothing at affordable prices but lack the authenticity of sellers. Amongst many issues, the returning costs and shipping costs of items can be very high which defeats the purpose of affordability.
Online shopping has changed the shopping experience of individuals and simultaneously has provided many opportunities for major fashion corporations and newer fashion retailers. Online branding and increasing online shoppers have changed the way the fashion world works, with trends becoming global and industries supplying globally. Fashion has become more affordable and through these online platforms, individuals can now experiment with styles and brands without the hassle of walking miles to find that perfect dress in a traditional shop. The fashion experience is now more accessible and reliable and overall more affordable.
