This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/apr/16/cold-march-bonanza-online-retailers

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cold March springs bonanza for online retailers Cold March springs bonanza for online retailers
(6 months later)
Flash sales of spring fashions helped online retailers overcome the harsh weather and enjoy a jump in business last month, according to new figures.Flash sales of spring fashions helped online retailers overcome the harsh weather and enjoy a jump in business last month, according to new figures.
As would-be shoppers shunned the chilly high street for the comfort of buying at home, online retail sales rose 16% on a year earlier, industry data suggested.As would-be shoppers shunned the chilly high street for the comfort of buying at home, online retail sales rose 16% on a year earlier, industry data suggested.
Providing some rare glimmer of good news for hard-pressed retailers, that left sales over the first quarter up 15% on a year ago, according to the e-retail sales index from industry group IMRG and consultants Capgemini.Providing some rare glimmer of good news for hard-pressed retailers, that left sales over the first quarter up 15% on a year ago, according to the e-retail sales index from industry group IMRG and consultants Capgemini.
While shops have bemoaned a backlog of spring stock following one of the coldest months of March on record, online retailers enjoyed a 15% rise in clothing sales.While shops have bemoaned a backlog of spring stock following one of the coldest months of March on record, online retailers enjoyed a 15% rise in clothing sales.
Experts put the rise down to promotions by retailers who wanted to clear stock as well as shoppers buying cold weather wear online and some lighter clothing in the hope of an eventual turn to better weather.Experts put the rise down to promotions by retailers who wanted to clear stock as well as shoppers buying cold weather wear online and some lighter clothing in the hope of an eventual turn to better weather.
"Normally what happens is when the weather changes, people buy the new season's clothes. What we saw this year was quite early promotional activity encouraging people to shop because the weather was not having its usual effect," said Chris Webster, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini."Normally what happens is when the weather changes, people buy the new season's clothes. What we saw this year was quite early promotional activity encouraging people to shop because the weather was not having its usual effect," said Chris Webster, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini.
He said some of the discounts online were for short windows to encourage people to make purchases. "Also there were people buying spring clothes in the hope the cold can't last forever," he added.He said some of the discounts online were for short windows to encourage people to make purchases. "Also there were people buying spring clothes in the hope the cold can't last forever," he added.
The figures also showed continuing rapid growth in shopping via mobile devices such as smartphones. Those sales were up 243% year-on-year in March, the strongest growth for four months.The figures also showed continuing rapid growth in shopping via mobile devices such as smartphones. Those sales were up 243% year-on-year in March, the strongest growth for four months.
IMRG, the industry association for e-retail, noted the sector had become more resilient to unseasonal weather over the past year.IMRG, the industry association for e-retail, noted the sector had become more resilient to unseasonal weather over the past year.
"In 2012 for example, we saw the wettest April on record and the online clothing sector was badly impacted, recording its lowest ever growth of 1%," said IMRG's chief operations and policy officer Andrew McClelland."In 2012 for example, we saw the wettest April on record and the online clothing sector was badly impacted, recording its lowest ever growth of 1%," said IMRG's chief operations and policy officer Andrew McClelland.
"Online shopping is so engrained in the culture now, the market seems to keep up its double-digit growth irrespective of potentially disruptive external factors.""Online shopping is so engrained in the culture now, the market seems to keep up its double-digit growth irrespective of potentially disruptive external factors."
The numbers contrast with reports from high street clothes stores that piles of springwear remained unsold last month as shoppers stayed away.The numbers contrast with reports from high street clothes stores that piles of springwear remained unsold last month as shoppers stayed away.
Overall, the unusually harsh winter weather is expected to have knocked retail sales in March. Economists expect official data due on Thursday to show a 0.8% drop in sales volumes in March, following a 2.1% rise in February. They forecast a 0.6% year-on-year drop in sales.Overall, the unusually harsh winter weather is expected to have knocked retail sales in March. Economists expect official data due on Thursday to show a 0.8% drop in sales volumes in March, following a 2.1% rise in February. They forecast a 0.6% year-on-year drop in sales.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.