E-Briefs

ONLINE BOOM
NATIONAL: Over 3000 delegates attended the annual Online Retailer Expo & Conference earlier this month in Sydney. Ragtrader magazine featured an exclusive interview with conference speaker Nicholas Nathanson in March, discussing his role as VP Direct for Quiksilver, Roxy and DC. Nathanson revealed how the company’s cross-channel integration had helped it to boost sales across both its online and bricks-and-mortar stores. According to research firm Forrester, which monitors online purchases by Australian consumers, the domestic e-commerce sector is forecast to reach $33.8 billion by 2012, up from $24 billion last year.  

TEMPORARY TREASURE
SYDNEY: Can I Borrow That? has joined the ranks of online sites offering designer duds for rent. The new business specialises in European apparel, including labels Versace, GF Ferre and Roberto Cavalli, as well as accessories. Items can be borrowed for one week up to one month, sizes span six to 16 and price points range from $99 to $329. Managing director Michelle Auraha is targeting customers aged 20 to 35. Established competitors to Can I Borrow That? include Dressed Up and Love Me & Leave Me.

BETTER BODY
SYDNEY: Swimwear and lingerie e-tailer Trixan Body has ramped up its customer service. The year-old company has wiped out the cost of shipping and return of goods on a permanent basis. It has also launched a 125 per cent price match guarantee, which offers to beat a competitor’s price on a garment. Runway footage now demonstrates how products work on the body, while customer feedback is being encouraged via a new ‘Badge’ system, where participants are given an online identity and are able to leave comments about product. Trixan brands include Berlei,
Kayser, Moontide and Crystelle.

SOCIAL OFFSHORE
NATIONAL: Members-only website Social Diary has launched a dedicated service for the New Zealand market. Launched in 2004, the website allows fashion marketers to log upcoming media events to a calendar, ensuring competitors can avoid staging an event at the same time. A large portion of the calendar focuses on  beauty and fashion events across Sydney and Melbourne.