On-line shopping

7 “SALE” Shopping Tips

14th December 2020 by Fiona Mobbs Leave a Comment

It’s SALE time!

At this time of year we think about the “sales”. But, particularly this year, where traditional “bricks and mortar” shops have been having a really hard time and brands are struggling or going out of business, it seems as if it’s been a constant SALE of one sort or another. And, in the last couple of previous years, the SALE has been before Christmas rather than starting on Boxing Day. It made me think, today, about putting this post for anyone confused or being urged to BUY NOW, BE QUICK, and all the other tricks that are used to get us to part with our hard-earned cash (eg Debenhams’ “Closing Down Sale”), to help you take a moment to not get swept up in the momentum, and make your purchases with more thought.

Yes, of course the good stuff usually sells out first, so you do need to be quick in that sense, but please take a moment to consider these 7 tips:

1. Don’t panic

Don’t be panicked into ordering or buying something if it doesn’t look quite right for some reason (eg colour, pattern or style) just because there’s one left in your size, or 53 people have been viewing this item in the last 10 minutes! Just stop and look at the discount. I just saw a Hobbs cashmere jumper in the Debenhams “closing down sale” that was 15% off. If you had your eye on this anyway, and now it’s reduced to the cheapest price you’ve seen it for, and think that if you hang on for a further reduction your size won’t be available any more, then maybe now is the time to buy.

2. Remember why you didn’t like previous purchases

Keep in mind reasons why you ditched previous items, like the sleeves being too short or the jumper wasn’t long enough to cover your back when you hop in the car seat and you get a cold shock!

3. Why are you being tempted?

Ask yourself, why are you being tempted? Do you NEED this item (ie it’s perfect for you and you haven’t got anything like it in the wardrobe already), or do you just fancy something new and we all love a discount?

4. When will you wear it?

Ask yourself how many times you see yourself wearing the item, and in what situations? Most people expect to get more than one wear out of a garment these days, so how much will you enjoy wearing it, and will the number of wears equate or outweigh the cost?

5. What else will it go with?

Will buying this cause you to spend more money buying other things to go with it? A savvy shopper will buy items that already go with multiple things in the wardrobe, as they are building a wardrobe of items that are right for them, in the colour theme that suits, styles that suit their body shape and suit their “clothing personality”.

6. Rate It

Now, if you’ve got this far and think you should purchase, or you have ordered and it’s arrived, give it a rating out of 10 (10 being perfect). Do not purchase or keep the item if it is below a 7. If it is a 7, have a look at what you already have and decide if you really WANT or NEED it. If you do not, perhaps you should return it while you have the chance.

7. Returns

Finally, check the returns policy, and don’t be afraid to use it.

If you’re at sea when it comes to shopping for bargains, or shopping generally, please contact me to see how I can make your life easier!

Current (and previous) clients of Your Colour & Style get some shopping support for free – ask me how!

Fiona

Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

Has Covid-19 changed our shopping habits forever?

16th September 2020 by Fiona Mobbs Leave a Comment

No surprise

A recent YOUGOV study of 2,152 adults, undertaken between 22nd and 28th July 2020 confirmed what we all know.

Covid-19 has impacted all of our lives, including our shopping habits. Focussing on the age 45+ respondents, here are some results:

• Over 50% are much more likely to buy clothes on-line. Only 9% are much more likely to buy clothes in a physical store. 59% are much less likely to buy clothes in a physical store.

At the time this study was conducted, people were still feeling worried about how safe it was to visit a store, and might still have not been going out if at all possible. However, if it takes only a few weeks to make a new habit, perhaps this is the sign of the future, even when the Covid-19 threat is over.

Brands have been reacting to these difficult trading conditions and less footfall in their stores and, since the Covid-19 pandemic began, have drastically cut stores and staff.

What types of clothing are people buying?

• Nearly 60% are much less likely to buy smart clothes compared to last year.

What is important when buying clothes now?

• Nearly 50% consider price to be more important when buying clothes since the Covid-19 crisis began.
• 39% also consider quality to be more important now.

What else is important?

• A very high proportion of each category (56% of 45-54 year olds and 59% of 55+) think it more important to be able to socially distance when shopping for clothes, and convenience is also an important factor.

Interestingly, the brand’s reputation matters less (only 21% said “more important”).

There were also questions about how the brands are believed to treat the workers that produce the products.

A high proportion of the respondents work less than 8 hours per week, or had been furloughed or laid off by their employer. Obviously disposable income will impact people’s spending habits.

What about you?

It is no wonder there are great deals if you do want to buy any new clothes now, but you might find that your traditional or favourite brands are not available in the way you used to shop. I know from my shopping experience over the last few years that there are usually items available on-line that you couldn’t get in stores anyway, so there is hope!

However, if you do not like trawling the internet, or can’t find what you want, please get in touch with me to see if/how I can help. I love helping my clients attain the right things for them, and saving them time, money and hassle. If you’ve never tried an independent personal shopper, maybe now is the time to save some time, or get a different result. Contact me for a no-obligation chat.

Fiona Mobbs

Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

email: fiona@yourcolourandstyle.com

WHAT’S THE FUTURE FOR RETAIL?

8th February 2020 by Fiona Mobbs 4 Comments

The Story Now

Hands up who’s worried how we are going to try things on without purchasing them in a shop in the future. It’s looking a lot like a shopping trip in town is going out of fashion for us and retailers!

With the latest retailer announcing going into administration (Beales), and John Lewis warning they may not pay their partners a bonus for the first time in its history, things are definitely worrying for retailers with stores.

We know the trend is increasingly to buy online, but if we totally lose every outlet on the high street, those who like to browse the rails rather than the internet may find in the next ten years there won’t be the choice.

If that worries you, cue me!

The Future of Shopping

One of my offerings is to bring the shops to you.

I largely scour the internet (because it’s quicker for me to find what I want and some things you can’t get in a store), collect everything together then bring the items you desire to you for an “at home” shopping and trying on session. Clients love it! They say it’s like having their own Christmas at any time of the year, because they do not know what I am going to bring to them (other than that it will be dresses, jackets, shoes or whatever they have requested and within their budget if there is one).

I am helping them create the perfect wardrobe for them so it will be in the right colours, styles, materials and patterns to suit them. Having got to know my client before I get to work, it will probably be something they would never have chosen if they had been shopping on their own, yet they usually love it. I would say my success rate is over 90%, and they buy off me approximately 80% of what I offer. I then take or send the rest back, saving them all that hassle.

Easy Shopping Without Pressure To Buy

So, you get a personal shopper, personal stylist and delivery driver all in one. You save time, parking fees, queueing for a changing room, imagining how the item will go with other things you have, looking at yourself in shop lighting and with other strangers (shoppers and staff) peering at you as you are trying to decide. I give you the time you need plus my impartial advice. My interest is not in trying to sell items, but to have the happiest, best looking client who will be admired by others.

If that sounds appealing to you, and you are in Hampshire, Dorset, or Wiltshire, please get in touch.

Fiona, Your (independent) Colour & Style Consultant

DRESSING WITHOUT STRESS, 07469 246722