Experian’s ‘Engaging Online with the Empowered Customer’ report has shown that in 2008 fashion retail sites saw a 31% growth in traffic . Alongside only a 1% growth in traditional catalogue adoption, the research demonstrated the shift by consumers to a more digital focus when researching for fashion.

The report demonstrated that although growth in traffic had been exceptional, fashion retailers did not capitalise on repeat purchasing, with 45% of customers making just one purchase. The report also showed that just under a third of customers made up almost 70% of the revenue, customers that should be identified and encouraged to make more frequent visits.

Experian felt that retailers and home-shopping companies were not achieving customer expectations of multi-channel. It called on them to ‘blend’ online and offline activities to offer customers a better experience and encourage repeat purchases.

“Greater emphasis needs to be placed on the exploitation and application of existing data assets,” said Marie Myles, director of marketing for Experian’s integrated marketing division. “The enhanced insight derived from this approach and the move to a coordinated customer contact strategy will lead to more profitable and longer relationships between brands and consumers.”

Adidas have shown that they understand that the savy consumer researches fashion before making a purchase, in this current economical climate all purchasing is becoming more and more considered. Their new look book is very slick and with the occasional play of ‘ beggin’ from their TV ad blends the offline with the online very well.

Found this on the Uniqlo site and love it, from the music to the usability it’s excellent.

Produced for the Japanese market, it makes viewing the products and purchasing them easy. I also love the noise that the scrolling page makes when you move over one of the individual artists, it’s like bubble wrap very addictive.

Also found out today that Uniqlo are launching an area within Selfridges, London. An interesting move for the luxury retailer, but proof that great design doesn’t always need to cost the world or maybe evidence that the recession is hitting this London giant hard, by offering contemporary affordable (very affordable) design Selfridges can maintain footfall?

Great video by Jean Charles de Castelbajac which I’ve seen across a number of trend and fashion blogs, reaching the viral objective it was produced to achieve.

Checked it out across Vimeo and YouTube, the level of commenting was high, with nearly 100% positive. Really great example of a luxury brand harnessing social media to educate.

JCDC Versus LEGO from Four H on Vimeo.