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4 reasons to shop online for kids’ clothes
Not so very long ago, the only option parents had for shopping for kids’ clothes was to go to an actual retail outlet with their offspring in tow. But while high street shopping sprees may be fun for grown-ups, the little darlings can be a tad unpredictable when it comes to in-store behaviour. As every parent knows only too well, things can rapidly unravel, turning shopping with kids into a total nightmare. The result? Not only does it leave you with an unsatisfactory shopping experience but you’ll probably be quite a few £££ lighter too.
Enter online shopping – arguably every parent’s saviour, as it gets the job done with the minimum of fuss while preserving family harmony and your sanity. Online shopping is easy, and it’s on the rise. According to recent figures, the UK has the third largest ecommerce market in the world, worth £586 billion in 2017. It’s estimated that 27% of all UK retail sales now take place online. By 2021, over 90% of UK internet users are expected to shop online, the highest penetration rate in Europe.
Fashion empires such as ASOS and Net-a-Porter have taken the market by storm, and kids’ clothing online stores are hot on their heels, whether you’re looking for classic designs or on-trend children’s fashion. Let’s recap on the main reasons why online shopping for kids’ clothes is the way to go.
1. Ultimate shopping convenience
Internet shopping is the ultimate in convenience, especially where kids’ fashion is concerned. There’s no need to get dressed to go to the shops – which in itself can be a challenge when you’re parenting an uncooperative toddler. You’re not constrained by shop opening hours and there are no crowds to battle your way through. Instead, you can do it all from the comfort of your home, laptop and credit card at the ready.
What’s more, fast and flexible delivery and return options make it oh so easy to place an order, taking the risk out of ordering the wrong size or the wrong item. All you then have to do is wait for junior to be in the right mood for trying on the new garments, and return what isn’t needed without any bother. You can even make a purchase and have it sent as a gift, to be delivered next day. Include a little notecard and look like the most organised well wisher on the planet!
2. Vast product choice
Are you looking for something in particular? Need an outfit for a special occasion perhaps? Whether you’re after affordable organic baby clothes from Tilly and Jasper, need a flower girl dress for a 5 year-old girl with a Mermaid obsession or are searching for the latest boys’ designer casual wear from Italian label Stone Island Junior, chances are that you would struggle what you’re looking for in your local kids’ boutique.
By definition, physical shops have a limited amount of space and can only stock a limited number of products. On the internet, however specific your search may be, the answer to your retail query is only a mouse click away. A huge advantage of online shopping is that your choice is vast compared to the product offering you would find on the high street.
3. Highly competitive prices
Comparing prices can be a cumbersome, pavement pounding and time consuming exercise on the high street, especially if you’re accompanied by children who would rather be anywhere else. By contrast, online shopping makes it a doddle to find the cheapest deal for any item, and all without leaving the comfort of home.
What’s more, online fashion retailers can offer prices that are lower than you would find on the high street. Ecommerce businesses have fewer physical overheads to worry about, can deal in significantly higher volumes and therefore afford to trade at lower profit margins. Reap the real benefits in terms of lower prices, thanks to the effort online stores put in to attract more customers.
4. Satisfying customer experience
How many times have you felt distracted by clever in-store sales messages and product placement that aim to lure you into buying additional items? And it’s not only the parents who are targeted by sophisticated in-store marketing techniques, children are fair game too. How does this make you feel as a parent and customer of children’s clothing? Valued and supported in your endeavour, or a sitting duck to be taken advantage of?
Shopping online takes all that away, restoring the customer experience so that you feel in more in charge. While websites and ecommerce platforms do have their own ways to encourage you to spend more, it’s much harder to succumb to subliminal advertising when you’re shopping on the internet.