Fashion retail is currently the largest B2C segment in eCommerce, with a global market value of $759.5 billion in 2021 and a projected value of $1.0 trillion by 2025. Those numbers should make every online seller of apparel, shoes, handbags, and accessories stand up and take note.
As such, online shopping has become the primary focus of the industry. The opportunities are boundless, but the challenges shouldn’t be overlooked. Let’s explore each step in the fashion eCommerce warehousing and sales to discuss the ways your online fashion brand can circumvent problems and embrace opportunities.
Understand how shoppers buy clothes online
Order fulfillment may be top of mind for many eCommerce sellers, but the challenges of selling apparel begin long before logistics come into play. Fashion is all about fit. Whether you’re selling fast fashion or workwear, one of the biggest challenges in eCommerce sales is the lack of a fitting room. Many of the biggest eCommerce fashion retailers have implemented smart shopping tech like virtual dressing rooms and sizing apps to great success.
Tailor your eCommerce fulfillment process to fit your brand
Making the sale is only the first step. Online customers remain highly engaged during the eCommerce fulfillment process. Like any online retailer, fashion retailers need to ensure they can provide the accurate estimated delivery dates and flexible shipping options consumers have come to expect. Fulfillment in Ecommerce Warehouse Logistics Fresno directly impacts a fashion brand’s ability to meet promised delivery windows, so choosing a reliable eCommerce fulfillment service provider is critical.
Beyond meeting customer expectations, fashion eCommerce fulfillment presents an excellent branding opportunity.
On average, customers check the status of their online order four times while it’s out for delivery. Rather than redirecting them to a carrier’s tracking portal, you can integrate tracking into your site and ensure the post-sales experience reflects your digital encourage sales and brand. Plus, you can take advantage of having them re-engaged on your site by promoting related accessories and or sharing announcements. Branded tracking is one method that a fashion brand can use to immerse shoppers in their world. The unboxing experience is another.
Multiple packages & a pair of ankle boots in an open box
Create an unforgettable unboxing experience. The sale is complete, you included branded tracking as part of your eCommerce warehouse management & fulfillment process, and the package has been delivered into your customer’s eager hands. Mission accomplished, right? Not so fast. Getting your customer to open that package might not be a challenge, but overlooking how they will feel when they open it is a lost opportunity.
The act of opening a sleek embossed box, peeling back layers of logo-imprinted tissue, discovering an unexpected trinket or note included with the purchase—that’s the stuff fashion brands are built on. But what happens if those shoes don’t fit?
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Similar to their global market value, fashion and apparel eCommerce return rates are in a class of their own. A shocking 50% of consumers return clothes they’ve bought online, and those returns are sometimes premeditated.
Bracketing is the practice where customers buy multiple sizes or styles to return anything that doesn’t work for them. Wardrobing is where a customer wears an item once for a special occasion and returns it. The latter is a fraud. The former has inspired some retailers to offer ‘try-it-at-home” programs.
There’s not a lot you can do to stop shoppers who are determined to take advantage of your return policy, short of punishing loyal customers with a less generous one. However, all the best practices discussed in the “Understand how customers shop online” section can help prevent unnecessary returns. Ensuring that your customers are armed with as much product knowledge as possible helps set expectations early.
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Ecommerce returns are inevitable in fashion, and online retailers can—and should—take advantage of the reverse fulfillment process. Think of every step in the eCommerce returns journey as a branding opportunity. Software and services are available to help you customize your tracking portal, return labels, shipping materials, and confirmation emails. A rich post-purchase experience may not reduce your product returns, but it could increase your return customers.
Consider commerce encourage sales and fulfillment services for your fashion brand. We offer Courier Delivery Services Fresno& a complete logistic management system. Talk to an eCommerce fulfillment expert and discover what solutions and services are available to help your business take advantage of every opportunity this soon-to-be $1-trillion market provides.
