Sunday 15 February 2015

How to take Advantage of sale

If you’re like most people, you probably go to sales and grab whatever comes at a discount. Though this may look like a great idea at the time, it’s often how you end up with things you don’t actually need. With a little bit of planning, you can buy things you really need and that can be of use for years to come.

The top sales that happen in India are January and July end of season sales before the new stocks come in. Here are a few things you can do to make things work out for you:

1. Plan in advance – Take a look at your wardrobe and your home and make an inventory of what you need, be it fashion, home décor or gadgets. It’s not necessary that you buy everything that’s available on a discounted rate. See how everything fit in with your lifestyle.

2. Go on time – This is especially important when it comes to end of season sales for clothing and accessories. The best way to get your hands on a wide range of clothes in your size is to go at the beginning of the sale. If possible go on a weekday to avoid the weekend rush.

3. Budget accordingly – It’s okay to save a decent amount and spend it on sales. This makes sense when it comes to buying more expensive brands since it could still be expensive after discounts.

Along with this, the other major sales are Diwali and Christmas. You can use this opportunity to buy gold jewelry, fashion accessories and shop for your loved ones. Stats show that more than 34% of online shoppers spend more than Rs 10,000/- during festivals with electronics and apparel topping the list of things sold.

Online sales have changed the way we shop. Traditionally you may have waited for the seasonal sales – especially if you are a savvy shopper. However, nowadays the e-tailers have flash sales that happen on festivals and national holidays such as Independence Day, Republic Day and even on weekends. You can expect to see discounts on not just fashion and accessories, but also on electronic gadgets and furniture.

When it comes to online shopping, men outnumber women shoppers. However, it's interesting to note that the number of women who do shopping online is increasing. Predictably enough, fashion leads in online sales. Surprisingly the biggest movers were women's footwear, ethnic wear and sarees while menswear pieces such as jeans, t-shirts and sports shoes saw the most traffic. The age group that's most enthusiastic about buying online are those between the ages of 18 to 35.  More than half the sales were attributed to buyers below 25.

In conclusion, one should note that the buying habits of Indian consumers are changing and with the wide range of online and off-line stores, brands and discounts available, the shoppers are getting savvier.

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Online Shopping for Brands: Allen Solly, US POLO

Is it Worth Buying Branded Clothes from Online Shopping Stores?

A 1-inch piece of cloth, stitched into your apparel’s seams, tells you about the company responsible for manufacturing that item. And for many shoppers, it probably means more than the price tag. Many Indians prefer branded clothes, owing to their superior comfort and quality. Brand names like Allen Solly and US POLO are definitely a class apart. Today,we even have the convenience of looking for branded clothes online. However,the question that arising is that is it worth shopping for brands online?

Why are we apprehensive in the first place?

Is it the quality? We know that the pieces shipped to brick and motor stores also come to online shopping warehouses. At the end of the day, the brand stands behind its quality.So, the primary issue is not with quality.

Chanel has a canned answer to the above question. The brand says that,“Fashion is about clothing, and clothing you need to see, to feel, to understand.”Yes, we all feel that because we are spending so much on a single piece of clothing, it should feel right and fit right. Rest assured, online shopping has a solution to that too.

Buying branded clothing online is worth it!

Online portals allow product scrutiny after delivery. So, the next time you buy a US POLO jacket, you can feel free to inspect the size, feel of the fabric,logo,packaging and stitching. If you do not like, you can always send it back. Almost all online retailers offer exchange and return of items. Also, if you have a change of heart later, know that the online return policy is for 30 days, while physical stores offer only 10 days.

• Product Availability: Physical stores always have limited stocks, given their space constraint. On the other hand, without the need to stock an inventory, online retailers can offer a huge selection to choose from. This means that when you are looking for a good office-wearing shirt, you will find a range of shirts from various brands all on one website. So, you can look through Allen Solly, Van Heusen, Louis Philippe and more before you pick the one you like the best.No travelling from shop to shop and wasting time and petrol either. So, wouldn’t you get better value for your money online?

• The Virtual Trial Session: Also, you would find that branded clothing online comes with detailed product descriptions and a sizing chart index. It provides precise and elaborate measurements. They model pictures, describe how the product fits a particular size and more. If you already have the experience of buying the same brand of apparel, you can use that as a guide too. So, you would almost never have a sizing problem with branded clothes, since they follow a standard sizing index.

• The Fancy Add-ons:
While buying labeled garments online, you can really appreciate the add-ons that you get. While making festival purchases, branded clothes come with free accessories from the same designer label, or you could cash in on the attractive discounts and offers. After all, if your Allen Solly shirt comes with a tie or your get a US POLO tee at a huge discount, it can be totally worth it!