| More consumers than ever are now doing most - | | | | to send items back with pre-paid postage fees |
| or even all - of their shopping online, eliminating the | | | | – so the consumer won't be held responsible |
| need to go out and brave the crowds in the | | | | for the cost of shipping something back if it |
| shops. While many people used to hold certain | | | | doesn't fit, or if they simply don't like it. |
| fears about shopping for clothes online, it's now as | | | | The same idea applies to exchanges; if a |
| common as purchasing any other item over the | | | | consumer needs to exchange an item, he or she |
| internet. | | | | usually won't be charged for the return of the |
| Perhaps the most obvious reason more | | | | item to the retailer, or for the re-shipping of the |
| consumers are shopping for their clothes online is | | | | new item back to the consumer. Perks such as |
| that it saves both time and effort. Instead of | | | | these have attracted many more consumers |
| driving to the shops, dealing with parking, then | | | | over the years to give online shopping a try, and |
| having to wait in a queue to make a purchase, | | | | to ultimately rely on the internet for most of their |
| more people are opting to make their clothing | | | | shopping needs. |
| purchases with just a few clicks of a mouse. The | | | | Another reason lot of consumers prefer online |
| arrangement is even more rewarding around the | | | | shopping to in-store shopping is that store |
| holidays, when the stores are packed with | | | | websites might offer a greater variety of |
| stressed out shoppers. Online shopping simply | | | | products than an actual store. Since a website is |
| makes life easier, while saving consumers both | | | | usually linked to a company warehouse, the |
| time and effort. | | | | company's website will usually display all of the |
| Of course, consumers used to worry about the | | | | company's current products – while a store |
| fact that online shopping equates to a lack of a | | | | might only carry a portion of them. So, while you |
| fitting room. How does one know if an item will | | | | might find couple of great dresses in a store, |
| really fit, or if it will look good if it can't be tried | | | | you're bound to find many more dresses online. |
| on? | | | | Of course, there's also the common advantage of |
| For starters, many online retailers now offer | | | | free shipping, extended by many retailers for |
| detailed size guides on their websites in order to | | | | orders over a certain amount, or even as a |
| help shoppers determine their size in a certain | | | | seasonal special. So, with all the advantages to |
| brand of clothing. However, clothing companies | | | | online shopping, it makes sense as to why an |
| have also made it exceptionally easy for | | | | increasing number of consumers are choosing to |
| consumers to return or exchange items that don't | | | | forego the in-store shopping experience and |
| fit. Many retailers, for example, allow consumers | | | | instead opt for internet shopping. |