Shortening the fashion industry’s global catwalk calendar would be a trendsetting statement of intent that shows the couture houses are ready to take responsibility for their environmental impact.
Asos has culled its print magazine after 12 years amid a wider crisis for the brand but, as other companies can testify, a well-produced print title can still be a highly effective promotional tool.
Another profit warning and Twitter flogging shows the former darling of the fast-fashion world has a lot of ethical and operational issues to address.
The online retailer is hoping an increase in the “velocity of conversations with customers” through an uptick in digital marketing and influencer activity will help turn round a slowdown in customer acquisition and website traffic.
From Asos’s wheelchair-friendly jumpsuit to Starbucks opening its first sign language store, brands are making moves to cater for people beyond the mainstream and unlock the potential of the ‘Purple Pound’.
Asos boss Nick Beighton says there has been an “unprecedented level” of discounting in the final quarter of the year, which caused the online retailer to issue a profit warning to the stock market this morning.
A-List didn’t fail because it was a Z-List scheme, rather it shows online-only retailers can engender customer loyalty with a focus on customer experience, rather than rewards.
While Asos would rather keep consumers on its own site, CEO Nick Beighton said he is open to experimenting with new ecommerce channels, including Instagram Shopping, over the next 12 months.
As sites such as Instagram roll out buy buttons, the online retailer’s CEO admits social could be a “drag” going forward and that their impact isn’t straightforward.
The fashion brand’s head of marketing analytics says brands should not prioritise targeting as a strategy and ignore reach.
As Asos and Tesco once again reiterate their commitment to investing in customer experience, marketers should stand up and take notice.
Retailer hopes partnership with startup accelerator TrueStart can help it remain innovative amid disruption from brands such as Amazon, Asos and Aldi.
With confirmation today (25 April) that BHS has filed for administration, its demise is proof that brands can no longer ride on past glories and must innovate to survive.
Asos saw 50% of its sales come through a mobile device in February, with the online fashion retailer reporting 3.2 million downloads of its mobile app in the six months to 29 February.