Global Vibes

 

Online Offensive
LONDON: High Street operator John Lewis is aiming to boost online fashion sales by £70 million (A$135 million) within three years following an overhaul of its website. The retailer predicts the site will drive fashion sales up by 30 per cent this year, with 100 brands added to its online catalogue and new features such as a faster search engine, zoomable pictures and related product recommendations. John Lewis has also launched trials of a ‘click and collect’ service, allowing shoppers to order goods online and collect them from one of the group’s 214 Waitrose supermarkets.

Fruitful venture
MADRID: Fashion retailer Mango is reaching out to consumers through social networking website Facebook. Members who register for an application that allows them to create their own ‘Mango Wardrobe’ are eligible to win vouchers worth €100 (A$170). The chances of winning a voucher are increased by the number of users the member forwards their wardrobe to. The application will run until December 31 with the final prize issued in January, 2010.

Culture cash
LONDON: Value retailer Asda is the first UK high street store to launch an Asian-specific clothing range. The 13-piece collection is designed to cater for the Indian and Pakistani population, offering traditional cultural garmets at high street prices. Asda said the collection is in response to 63 per cent of its ethnic customers who had called for an authentic Asian clothing offer. Key pieces include sequined and embellished salwaar kameez (traditional suits), khurtas (tunics), dapata (scarves) and churidar (slim leg trousers) with prices starting at £7 (A$15).

Great expectations
MADRID: High street fashion chain Zara isn’t used to bucking trends, but parent company Inditex has posted stronger than expected first-half profits for the six months ending July 2009. Net income for the world’s largest clothing retailer declined 7.6 per cent to €375 million (A$635.55m). The group opened 166 outlets during this period – taking its total to 4430 across the globe – and plans to launch an online store in the near future. In March, the group announced it planned to open 370 to 450 stores this year with 95 per cent of those openings outside of Spain.