New Look benefits from online sales increase

Friday, August 16, 2013 - 11:57 by Graham Miller

High street fashion chain New Look has announced this month that its e-commerce performance has improved dramatically in the first half of 2013.

During this period it saw a 78.7 per cent rise in sales made by safe shopping online, compared to the same period in 2012.

This boost is even more positive when you consider that the company saw more modest growth in its bricks and mortar outlets.

Like for like sales across the brand were up by one per cent, but when e-commerce is included they rose by 4.9 per cent, which shows the increased influence of shopping online in the high street.

Revenues as a whole were up by 13.1 per cent at the company, before taking into account various tax charges and other deductions.

Spokesperson, Anders Kristiansen, said that while the first half of 2013 had not been particularly kind to the UK's retail market, with cold weather keeping many people at home rather out on the high street, by harnessing e-commerce it was possible for New Look to thrive.

Kristiansen also said that New Look is going to be refitting many of its stores to make them more appealing places to shop, while still keeping a focus on growing online sales, so that they can further benefit the firm.

Of course, you could argue that as more people move towards buying clothing and other products from the web, there is less need to prioritise high street performance.

Multichannel retailers like New Look are hoping to combine e-commerce with real world shopping so that these experiences compliment and sustain one another.

For consumers, this means that they can indulge their retail desires just as easily, whether they are out and about or ordering products from the comfort of home.