Introduction

How Britain Shops 2008: Clothing, provides a detailed overview of the shopping habits of consumers. It examines, who shops for clothing, where they shop, whether they are satisfied with their current store and what stores should do to satisfy customers more.

Scope

*A thorough analysis of the way customers shop in the clothing sector, complete with profiles on the following retailers:

*Asda (George), Bhs, Debenhams, M&S, Matalan, New Look, Next, Primark, River Island, Tesco and TK Maxx.

*Each profile provides visitor and main user shares, conversion rates, loyalty rates with reasons, and key competitors.

*Data are segmented regionally and by demographic and socio-economic group. Five year historic data are provided so trends can be analysed further.

Highlights

Clothing shoppers are getting much harder to please. The share of the population shopping for clothing declined for the second year running and clothing shoppers are less likely to become main users and are less loyal this year.

Shoppers expect more. Though range and price continue to be the two main drivers of loyalty, shoppers are putting more emphasis on quality and convenience to decide their loyalty. Price is no longer a key differentiator despite the rapid rise of Primark consumers are looking for other factors to add value as well.

One in three shoppers uses Marks & Spencer for clothing. The market leader has attracted a significantly increased number of clothing shoppers this year to lengthen its lead over Next in second place to 5.7 percentage points.

Reasons to Purchase

*How Britain Shops is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, drawing on a nationwide survey of 6,000 shoppers.

*Use this report to understand what drives your clothing customers’ loyalty and find out where else they shop.

*Channel investment for maximum return by knowing which aspects of your retail proposition most need improving according to your customers.

For more information, please visit :

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/How-Britain-Shops-Clothing-2009-15698.html

Or email us at press@aarkstore.com or call +919272852585

Special offer till 31th Dec 2009

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However, despite the increasing demand of online purchase, consumers are not spared of time-consuming, and sometime confusing online shopping experience. This is mainly due to a poor level of usability of most e-commerce sites. Sometimes a sale becomes a page exit from the website because the shopper was not happy with the online shopping experience.

If you are an online catalogue shopping site owner, it is just imperative that you find ways to improve the “user-friendliness” of your shopping website. That way, you can help potential buyers in finding what they are searching for. At the same time, you can have repeat customer visits.

Here are a few tips in order to optimize your catalogue shopping site for better usability:

Make use of headings, subheadings, and breadcrumb navigation.
This way you can assure the shopper that he is not lost in the site. It tells immediately what category of page he is in now. It also saves time and effort on his part.

Place the search bar on the top area of the page.
Ideally the search bar must be simple and plain for easy usage. Also, you can device it in a way that it can search per catalogue or category for easier search experience. Place this above the fold so users can easily take advantage of this when searching for merchandise.

Have your contact information or phone number placed on top of the page.
Of course it’s more convenient for you and the shopper to track purchases made online. However, allowing shoppers to contact you can help you establish relationships with your loyal customers. It also provides a certain level of security for the shopper when they see that the catalogue shopping site has a legitimate phone number and address.

Create a “show page” functionality in your site.
Shoppers must have an option to see a part of the page, for example a particular item in display, and a choice to show the entire page for each product category. This way you are giving your customers more buying choices to choose from.

Offering products is just as good as guaranteeing an excellent user experience for online shoppers. To aim for a user-friendly catalogue shopping website is in fact, a unique selling point, as well.

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Shopping in the market will surely be a hectic one then shopping in the virtual world. Today there are infinite sites which let people shop their summer, winter and rainy clothes. While buying rainy clothes one has to be quite careful as it requires much attention from an individual.

If somebody has little information on how to buy rainy clothes with the latest discount vouchers then he/she can buy magazines on latest fashion which especially showcases a range of rainy clothes by the prominent fashion designers in the town.  This methodology has been in use for years and even in this age of advance Internet system it hasn’t lost its importance.  On the other hand, in the contemporary UK market there are many price comparison sites which deal in shopping. So an enthusiastic shopper can buy his favourite collection of rainy clothes at an affordable price.

Most of the price comparison sites in the UK also give special offers and discounts. Besides, they also welcome the usage of voucher codes or latest voucher codes. Using such codes is very useful as the buyer gets huge reduction on the market prices. No matter whether one is buying a pair of shoes or a rainy coat as the voucher codes can be used for all kinds of purchases. If the rainy days are about to arrive then  folks should make plans faster for enjoying the rainy days with sizzling fashionable clothing. Last but not the least, the latest discount codes should be kept for instant usage.

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What you get – Alka’s Kids World has apparels for 1-10 year olds. This store houses garments for kids, both boys and girls, which includes pants, shirts, T-shirts, sherwanis, frocks, skirts etc.

As far as arrangement of wares is concerned, the store does not follow any particular format. In fact, there is a sense of randomness in the display. There were times when we would pick up something just to see it entwined with other pairs.

Garments are available in a wide variety of colors and prices. You can acquire something for as less as Rs. 100 to as high as Rs. 2,000. For instance, pants for three-year-olds can cost you around Rs. 250. Sherwanis for 5-10 year olds cost between Rs. 400 and Rs. 1,000.

The sales staff is very helpful and courteous and as far as brands are concerned, Memento Fashion, Little Girl, Crosser Gold and Dear Doll are some of those available.

Our verdict – We can say with conviction that this store has far better variety than many others in the city. Prices are affordable too. However, the store does need to pay some attention to its size and display. The ambience seems cluttered leading to less floor circulation space. Parking is a problem for four wheelers which can be compounded by the traffic at Koti.

Lot of variety at Alka’s Kids World – Hyderabad Clothes has been written by Pranay who writes for MetroMela

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Polyester manufacturing creates a huge environmental footprint. The EPA states that many textile manufacturers are hazardous waste generators. And since petroleum is used in the manufacturing process, the energy output of creating polyester is not environmentally friendly. For those who are concerned about the state of our environment and would like to preserve it for future generations, buying eco-friendly fabric and clothing is the only option.

Many people don’t realize just how many chemicals are used to manufacture clothing. Many of these chemicals are known to be cancer-causing agents, and those who handle the chemicals must do so only while wearing protective clothing. It is worrisome that we then place these fibers, which have been treated with such harsh chemicals, directly on our skin. There is also major concern about the amount of waste generated by textile manufacturers. The printing process utilizes petroleum and heavy metals. The run-off from these materials flows into waterways and pollutes streams. The production of eco-friendly fabric is much gentler on the environment and on our bodies. Using natural crop-growing practices and natural fibers that are treated with gentle, organic substances provides consumers with a clothing option that not only ensures optimal health, but is also environmentally friendly.

Another grave issue facing the conventional textile market is the issue of labor. Sweat shops have had a lot of publicity in recent years, which has raised awareness around the world about the appalling work conditions for those who make clothes. This cheap labor is part of the reason that clothing is so inexpensive today, but inexpensive is not necessarily the best thing for the environment. Because clothing has become much less expensive, the waste generated by discarded clothes has risen to monstrous levels. There was a time when clothing was mended over and over before ever being discarded. Today, when one fashion is replaced by a new trend, the old clothes, which are still in good shape, are discarded. While many have set up programs to recycle clothing throughout the world, there is still a lot of waste generated by perfectly good clothing that is no longer in style.

Because of the many environmentally unsound practices within the conventional textile market, there are many consumers who want to invest in eco-friendly fabric and clothing. This is creating a large demand for organic fabric companies. Eco-labelingcompanies such as Global Organic Textile Standard, GreenSafe Mark, and Cradle to Cradle Certification, just to name a few, are a companies that provide a quality assurance system for organic fabric companies. When consumers see an eco label, they know that a quality assurance system is in place. This makes consumers comfortable with the product they buy; a product that they are willing to spend a little more on because it provides them with the peace of mind that their clothing is indeed made from eco-friendly fabric. With so many unsound environmental practices in the textile industry, it is important for consumers to have the option of buying eco-friendly fabric and clothing.

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But no matter what type of shop you like best, you are bound to find it in London. The bustling capital is brimming over with a huge selection of shops both large and small. You’ve got the huge department stores like Harrods, and the plethora of small shops that are both quirky and welcoming too.

One of the best places to go if you like a touch of the unique is Covent Garden. You can visit a traditional toy shop here, and there is also a shop dedicated to astrology and everything concerned with it. Covent Garden is particularly popular due to offering a lot of different shops all in one attractive location; but there are other popular spots in London too, not least of which is the West End.

Many people automatically think of the theatre when they consider the West End. But in fact it is also a great place to spend some serious cash. Oxford Street is one of the most famous streets in the West End, and it is lined with shops of all descriptions that will appeal to the most dedicated of shoppers.

If you want a taste of the more expensive shops in London, the West End can also offer you the price tags of Bond Street. You might only want to window shop here, but even walking down the street takes you into another area of shopping altogether.

Of course, some stores command your attention more than others, and no one comes to London without taking a look on the many floors which make up Harrods. You can buy virtually anything you want in this luxury top end store. In fact, it is almost like several shops all in one.

With all these shops and many more on offer to explore and spend your way around, it isn’t surprising that some people choose to turn a shopping trip into a weekend away. It is good to know that there are plenty of hotels in London close to all the best shops, which provide the perfect base for a shopping spree weekend.

So the next time you have a weekend free and you feel the need to treat yourself to a few things, you may find that London is able to offer you the ultimate shopping experience that you are after.

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For example, once upon a time superhero based t-shirts would only have been spotted on students; however, retro t-shirts are now an extremely popular item of clothing seen up and down the high streets. Nowadays people of all ages are more than happy to parade their favourite superhero, cartoon or rock band from yesteryear on their t-shirts.

Of course, that feeling of nostalgia crossed with cool has made retro clothing dating from the 60s right up to the 80s a huge success.

Therefore, it won’t be a surprise to learn that most high street fashion stores have taken advantage of this demand. But it’s not just high street outlets leading the way, many specialist online retailers have been set-up to grasp a market share of the increasingly popular 80s retro trend. As such, the online market has helped to spread the trend globally, and it is now possible to purchase retro t-shirts from all over the world, most of which will have no nostalgia attached but will still appear in-trend.

Another reason for its popularity on the high street is its price. Manufacturers are able to keep costs low, as the main requirement is your average t-shirt with a printed design – the trick is to find the right design. For the consumer, the cost of a retro t-shirt in comparison to a designer t-shirt is minimal, and with an added cool factor. And even if you can’t quite find the right design, it might be possible to request that your own design is printed to produce a personalised retro t-shirt.

Being so competitively priced – with thousands of designs to choose from – it’s no wonder that retro clothing and retro t-shirts in particular have become such a huge success.

And with plenty of accessories to choose from as well, it is now possible to find the right retro design that makes you look good and feel cool.

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The world of fabrics is full of variety; the two main types of fabrics being natural and synthetic. Natural fabrics are the best buy regardless of season, festival or occasion. They look pleasant and breathe better than synthetics. Once you’re hooked on them, you never look back, until, perhaps, when you are getting married and have to wear a fancy jora.

Natural fabrics

Linen is by far the best choice for summer wear, since it breathes wonderfully, and also gets softer after every wash. It comes in different textures, from sheer handkerchief type to thicker, denim-style, and is available in a variety of colours. Silk is also a wonderful natural fabric, though it is rather on the steep side.

Of all the natural fabrics, cotton is the safest bet because it is affordable, and is readily available in a wide range of colours and designs. Lawn, which can be either cotton or a blend, is perhaps the most popular summer fabric. Voil, with its fresh, cool prints is another favourite.

For winters, of course, the most popular fabric is wool which is also available in a variety of colours, weaves and textures.

Synthetic fabrics

Synthetic fabrics such as nylon, rayon and polyester, etc. are very uncomfortable in summers as they don’t breathe well (if at all), and are not a good choice for daily wear in the local climate.

The other types of fabrics used in our part of the world are blends and knits. Blends combine different properties and different fibres, which sometimes is a good thing as it provides crease resistance, durability, etc. Sometimes the result is awful (olefin fabrics, PVC coated polyester, etc. being some of the best, rather worst examples). Linen/cotton blends in particular are a fine example of good blended fabric. Blends of natural and synthetic fibres tend to be less expensive and easier to care for, but as they do not breathe well, should be reserved for winters. Knits, on the other hand are difficult to work with and are best if bought in ready-to-wear form.

The fabric tradition in Pakistan has been influenced by a number of factors, like geographical location, historical influences, climate, local culture, social customs, availability of the thread etc. A variety of silks, cottons, wools etc. have been used by local people, and the geo-climatic and ethnic diversity has given birth to a myriad of fabrics.

The local malls provide an array of textiles, materials and a vast colour palette.Tie and dye, hand printing and block printing are common across the country. Here is a brief overview of the local malls and what you should look for in your fabric shopping spree.

Rabi Centre

This sells a massive variety of fabrics. Hence girls, women and even men have some reason to be happy while walking down its corridors. One gets both traditional as well as the latest trends in fabrics here.

This shopping centre caters to all income levels and while it offers everything from fancy shimmering silks to good quality fine silk, georgette, cotton, chiffon and banarsi, it is the premium quality georgettes that bring the shoppers in droves.

Gulf Shopping Mall

This place is full of unstitched fabric, perhaps, not in the vast quantity as Rabi Centre, but enough to make it difficult to choose what to buy and what not. Cottons, banarsis, silks and georgettes in all qualities and prices are up for sale. Indian batik cottons are also available here, which are very different from other batik; if you love the feel of cotton but are searching for gorgeous intricate prints then this is the fabric for you.

The prices are mostly affordable and the mall caters to diverse income groups. Young girls prefer buying unstitched material from here and accessorising them with a matching bag and sandals or fancy chappals.

Aashiyana: If you are looking to get a best deal on silk, cotton or chiffon, this is the right place for you. The unique twisted silk yarn is also available here. “This high quality yarn is made by twisting three yarns together into one,” shop owner Ayaz Khan tells me. Brocades are also a very popular item here.

Jali, moon light, velvet and all sorts of net fabric are some of the other treasures available her. Fancy net fabric in printed and plain, rose net variety, net with moti dana and embroidery are some of the most sought after items. The best quality of chiffon is available in a vast variety and smart shoppers may find amazing bargains. Georgette are also close at hand; both in plain and printed as well as embroidered, embellished, block printed and in self prints.

Continental Trade Center: This is a sprawling fabric market, few steps away from Gulf that specialises in fancy festive fabrics. If you have a taste for brocade but a budget for polyester, this is the place for you. You can get everything here from chenille to corduroys, damask to silks, flannel to imitation and original silks, vinyl to woven fabrics.

Some other places to go fabric hunting are Papoosh in the old district of the city, Jubilee Bazaar in Saddar and the Pathan stalls at Sunday Market. If you are a khadi lover and cannot afford the designer brands, don’t worry –– there are alternatives. Khadi from the handlooms of Orangi and Banaras Town is sold at small shops in Mohammad Ali Society and there is a whole range of shops behind Jafferjee’s Clifton outlet. These khadi shops offer fairly affordable prices; a shirt piece of plain fabric here costs Rs150, the embroidered and embellished ones costs Rs250 and a three-piece suit costs anywhere from Rs300 to Rs650.

Pakistan has a rich and diverse weaving tradition. One can find different types of handlooms across the country, which offers us a huge variety of fabric. There is a glut of fabric items in the domestic market and the Pakistani textile and allied products are not only popular within the country but also have an enormous market abroad. Happy shopping!

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