The rise of ecommerce and online shopping is one of the greatest challenges facing the fashion and luxury industries today. Brands want to tap into the growing online market and offer the convenience that the modern consumers want, without diluting their brand. When done properly, though, luxury ecommerce can be very profitable, and it’s only going to grow. Last year McKinsey estimated that global luxury ecommerce will be worth up to US$20bn by 2018, after online luxury sales grew by 20% in 2013, compared to 2% growth overall. Some businesses have already cracked it.
Last month Yoox announced that first-half revenue was up 19.6% to €284.6m, ahead of its merger with Net-a-Porter. Last week, Fortnum & Mason built on their impressive ecommerce pedigree with the launch of a personalised ‘build your own hamper’ service on the website, to match the one that already exists in store. I’ve said before that F&M has got luxury ecommerce exactly right, and the company’s most recent move is no different. The website’s ergonomic design means that convenience is paramount, while the bespoke services it offers are a natural extension of the brand.
I think it is the personalisation element, though, that is so impressive. In fact, I think personalisation is key for the future of luxury ecommerce, particularly in fashion, where personal shopping is the height of the pampered experience that many brands strive to give their customers. The big fashion news this week came when personal shopping start-up Thread announced on Monday that it had raised US$8m in new funds.
The funding was led by VC firm Balderton Capital, and included some serious fashion and tech heavyweights, including Andrew Jennings, former president of Saks Fifth Avenue (who’s been behind the business for a while) and Demis Hassabis and Mustafa Suleyman from Google DeepMind.
Last month Yoox announced that first-half revenue was up 19.6% to €284.6m, ahead of its merger with Net-a-Porter. Last week, Fortnum & Mason built on their impressive ecommerce pedigree with the launch of a personalised ‘build your own hamper’ service on the website, to match the one that already exists in store. I’ve said before that F&M has got luxury ecommerce exactly right, and the company’s most recent move is no different. The website’s ergonomic design means that convenience is paramount, while the bespoke services it offers are a natural extension of the brand.
I think it is the personalisation element, though, that is so impressive. In fact, I think personalisation is key for the future of luxury ecommerce, particularly in fashion, where personal shopping is the height of the pampered experience that many brands strive to give their customers. The big fashion news this week came when personal shopping start-up Thread announced on Monday that it had raised US$8m in new funds.
The funding was led by VC firm Balderton Capital, and included some serious fashion and tech heavyweights, including Andrew Jennings, former president of Saks Fifth Avenue (who’s been behind the business for a while) and Demis Hassabis and Mustafa Suleyman from Google DeepMind.