Time to go Online?

Today, in-between my lectures, I decided to have a quick look at my inbox and there it was, a 75% off on select products from H&M. Thanks to that, I spent the next 30 minutes doing online window-shopping rather than listening to my lecturer. Online window-shopping can be a lucrative stress reliever for an over-worked, marginalized poor student like me, and also a motivation to work even harder to afford the clothes. With various sales and offers around, January could seemingly be an extremely hard month on the bank account.

In the past I have bought some products online, but only because of the big discounts that were offered. It's a wonder how the email marketing of my regular brand has made me spend money without even leaving my seat. It is noticeable that for most brands, the online retail works independently to their high street ones. For this, the brand can provided lucrative deals online to consumers as they can cut down on costs like rents, labour, distribution, among others. As for the customers, they are spared of the commute to the store along with queuing up for trial and payment.

I must say I am surprised by the increasing trends of online shopping in Asia. According to a McKinsey, China's revenue from online retail was $210 billion in 2012, making it the second largest e-tail market in the world. According to PwC, 50% of apparel shopping in India is done online. While more and more people are turning to the internet to fulfill their shopping needs and it seems like a trend that'll stay, I am still quite traditional when it comes to buying clothes and accessories because I prefer to touch, try and feel.