Editor’s note: This article was first published in December 2012; its figures from a DBK study, €100 million in online fashion sales in Spain in 2008, €480 million in 2011 and a forecast of €700 million for the end of 2012, are as of that month, as is the remark that e-commerce is still very green in Spain.
According to a study by DBK, sales by fashion websites in Spain went from €100 million in 2008 to €480 million in 2011, and they are expected to reach €700 million by the end of 2012. You could say this sector has multiplied its turnover sevenfold.
The clothing business is probably the one that finds it easiest to sell online, because customers are already used to it, as Zara showed with the launch of its online store.
But this business isn’t only for the industry giants: any physical shop should invest in an online “shop window”, because it reaches potential customers 24 hours a day, with advertising generated on social networks themselves.
In fact, there has been an increase in online clothing stores launched by entrepreneurs who have never had a physical shop. In some cases, the designs are created by the entrepreneurs themselves, and in others, the clothing is imported from other countries.
In past crises, the clothing and footwear trades used to be the hardest hit, but in this crisis clothing is offering a business opportunity to many entrepreneurs. As with any business that has to compete with the big players, the secret will lie in quality, price and innovation, without forgetting that if we are going to sell online, we need an online shop window that looks as professional as possible.
Other business opportunities in the clothing sector
For many traditional shops, making the leap online can be an uphill struggle, so helping these small businesses make that leap can undoubtedly open up a source of income for many professionals. Likewise, with the growing use of smartphones and tablets, developing platforms and apps for these businesses will help them make the most of every possibility with their potential customers.
Although e-commerce is still very green in Spain, the truth is that when it comes to finding clothes on sale or innovative designs, if our online store earns the user’s visual trust, we will multiply our sales or at least gain visibility.
To avoid sizing problems, you can turn to apps like UPcload.
Further reading
Featured image: Sofy Marquez, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
