Consumers turning to the web to purchase bags

It is now simple for fashion conscious Brits to find the designer handbags they are after. As well as checking out the products available on the high street, individuals can also head online to check out the latest offerings.

Indeed, a rising number of individuals are turning to the web to get their hands on new accessories.

According to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, retail sales were up by 17.5 per cent year-on-year in December and 2012 as a whole saw an increase in the online retail market of 14 per cent. Meanwhile, further growth of 12 per cent is expected for 2013.

Many of those who are on the lookout for shoulder bags and other products are taking advantage of mobile devices to make their purchases. It was revealed that sales through smartphones, tablets and other mobile web products last year were up by 304 per cent on 2011’s figures.

One of the advantages associated with making purchases online concerns the fact that consumers can do plenty of research about the items they are after, helping to ensure they end up with the perfect products for them.

Commenting on this, Andrew McClelland, chief operations and policy officer at IMRG, remarked: “Consumers are going to carry out a lot of research prior to making a purchase.”

Meanwhile, head of retail and technology at Capgemini Chris Webster added: “This year, we’ll see the role of mobile devices evolve as retailers use the technology as the default channel to reach us and personalise our shopping experience, whether we’re online at home, on the bus or even in store. Retailers will adopt a more connected retail model, merging the physical shopping experience with an online one, such as offering customers tablets to browse the internet while they compare products in store.”