5 February 2010 - 17:24Fashion at Your Fingertips

Social Shopping is one reason online shopping has grown in the past few years. Simple reviews, Facebook groups, Tweets, and blogs are great and effective ways for companies to market their products. The simplicity and benefits of online social shopping make you wonder why some retailers have ignored the marketing benefits of new technology and the social atmosphere.

Department stores like Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and many more online retailers have made fashionistas out of everyone, with social shopping. These online retailers allow customers to read and write reviews about products and styles. 70% of online shoppers trust the opinions posted in comment sections of their favorite retailer. This means that 70% of online shoppers are influenced by a stranger’s feedback when deciding to buy. If a style is unflattering on certain body types or the picture isn’t true to the color, shoppers will know.

Most online retailers do not offer a full range of product pictures on their sites creating the question, “How does it look from the back?” Possibilities are endless on the web and retailers are not taking advantage of it. Why not offer more pictures and videos of their items? agentprovocateur.com does it right, offering front and back views from the initial category page. Online retailers could see increased sales with more extensive coverage of products. For example, the GlamCam360 camera used in recent awards shows can give consumers a complete view and control of the featured clothing. Better yet, take a lesson from QVC and include videos of models posing and walking a runway so shoppers can see how the fashions look when they move.

Out with the old and in with the new. By utilizing available technology and the online social world, retailers may see better traffic and more sales. Consumers want to be engaged and entertained. Maybe 2010 will bring a new look to online shopping enticing consumers to SHOP! SHOP! SHOP!

For interesting social commerce statistics, check out Bazaar Voice.