The womens winter shoes industry is experiencing an e-boom, according to research that shows online shoe sales have actually skyrocketed over the last 5 years for popular trends including chelsea boots and ankle boots.
It has traditionally been presumed shoe customers avoid getting shoes online, due to the trouble of figuring out size and fit.
But a current report from IBISWorld found footwear e-retailers are overcoming the problem with an increasing number of market leaders now providing free shipping and returns for those who buy shoes online.
Online shoe sale revenue is anticipated to grow by 17.4% over the five years through 2014-15 to reach $445.4 million, with income expected to grow by 11.3% over the next 12 months alone.
IBISWorld industry analyst Lauren Magner told SmartCompany the online shoe market had definitely been slower to take off compared with online clothing sales because of fitting concerns.
Magner says clients will now buy a pair of shoes in several various sizes, returning sizes that don’t fit without obligation.
She states the line in between bricks-and-mortar stores and online merchants is becoming progressively blurred as more hybrid service models appear.
Australian women’s shoes manufacturer and seller Zomp Shoez is one brand name which has actually diversified from its standard bricks-and-mortar presence and is now enjoying online success.
Jaki Ristevski, Zomp’s online and marketing manager, told SmartCompany the online store had actually experienced constant development since its launch two years ago, seeing a huge spike over Christmas time.
The online store now turns over a similar total to Zomp’s nine bricks-and-mortar shops.
Magner says some stores are exploring the hybrid concept, including Sneakerboy, a retailer that houses its stock including ugg boots offshore in Hong Kong and utilizes its bricks-and-mortar existence purely as a display room, saving approximately 50% of the shop’s physical space.
Ristevski says one of the most crucial future developments for Zomp’s online store will be the upcoming launch of its totally responsive website to sell seasonal items like over the knee boots.
