As of 2021, the fashion industry was valued at $878.334 million. With a projected growth rate of 7.31% annually, the industry may reach $2.25 trillion by 2025. Apparel consists all sorts of clothing, like shirts, socks, and trousers. Although it’s a competitive market, the earnings are enticing.
The rise of mobile platforms makes it easy for online shoppers to purchase their apparel. While the fashion industry is lucrative, you must implement some strategies to thrive.
We recommend implementing the following strategies for the success of your fashion brand.
1. Define Your Customer Niche
Finding the customer niche is an issue many existing and startup brands face. The vast and dynamic fashion industry requires you to find your specific market. Basically, find where the supply is low, and demand is high.
It starts with media monitoring. Rummage through relevant brands offline and online and talk to boutique owners. The “best seller” page on Amazon is updated hourly with an accurate list of products you can compare.
But do you have a passion for the apparel industry? Do you love bespoke designs, or are you obsessed with bikes? Remember, you’ll work 24/7 to ensure your clients are satisfied. And instead of trying too hard to please everyone, you should narrow down to what you love most. Brainstorm what you’re passionate about through personal experience, hobbies and interests, and personal values.
Leverage search engine data using Google Trends or SEO to find relevant keywords. You can hire a competitive fashion digital marketing agency to help you identify keywords that will define the consumer niche.
2. Focus on Ethical and Sustainable Fashion
Consumers are now considering the environmental impact of the clothing industry. Purchasing and shopping trends are shifting toward sustainability, creating challenges for most fashion brands. This is where you may need to consider dealing with high-quality products. Sustainability focuses on quality rather than quantity.
Eco-friendly fabrics are soft and built to last. This means you dispose of much less than cheap, low-quality clothes. The statistic shows that the fashion industry emits 10% of global carbon into the sphere. As a sustainable brand, utilize natural materials that use fewer resources for production, reducing carbon footprint.
The fabric treatment and dyeing process is responsible for 20% of wastewater. Heavy metals and toxins affect humans and animals when the waste is released into water sources. Sustainable fashion businesses value life over revenue, making them use cruelty-free alternatives.
It also takes about 700 gallons of water to design one T-shirt. You can imagine the impact of making 20 T-shirts. More so, some of these tees are cheaply designed, making them get disposed of often.
For your fashion brand to stand out, focus on selling eco-friendly products. Ensure you’re transparent in your description to help consumers choose sustainable products.
3. Invest in Digital Marketing
Digital marketing will help you meet the needs of your fashion customers in this digital era. You can showcase the latest collections and engage consumers in real time through platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
You can leverage artificial intelligence to collect and analyze data on customers’ purchasing patterns. This helps you tailor the marketing messages based on individual consumers. The personalized approach builds brand loyalty and improves the user experience.
Digital marketing also creates a seamless shopping experience to drive more sales and conversions. With the help of a fashion web design agency, you can give your site a voice to connect and engage with local and global customers. Besides, the website allows you to showcase your fashion collection 24/7.
A well-designed website allows you to build email lists for customized messages. The list helps the brand implement email marketing, a powerful and effective way of building relationships and forging trust.
4. Focus on Customer Retention
A new customer is worth pursuing, but customer retention will make your business stand out. Retention is cheaper and has better returns. Putting more money into gaining new conversions is understandable, but keeping an existing consumer on board will spark growth and trust.
The ecommerce market indicates that a repeat and loyal customer accounts for 65% of the business’s income. Retained customers become your loyal brand ambassadors who market your business freely. The promotion and publicity will convert new site visitors, increasing your customer base for more revenue.
But how do you retain customers?
- Delight customers: Regular, consistent acts of delight portray exceptional services, which is better than a one-time effort. You can offer free trials or discounts for every purchase.
- Social media presence: Online presence is essential, especially if Gen Z and millennials are your target audience. Ensure you engage customers by replying to their messages and comments. You should monitor customer interactions with your social media platforms through direct posts, mentions, and hashtags.
- Offer rewards: Reward programs is a great way to retain customers. You can let them choose how they’ll spend their rewarded points.
- Personalization: As an ecommerce brand, you can access customers’ purchasing history. Leverage this information by personalizing experiences based on purchasing behaviors and history. You can share personalized emails based on past purchases, which helps you connect directly with your audience.
5. Take High-Quality Videos and Photos
The visual aspect is crucial in digital marketing and propelling your business for success. You need to instill trust by showcasing what you offer to your target audience. Videos and reels let you show off the apparel in real time, allowing customers to see your fashion taste.
Hiring a photographer goes a long way in promoting your fashion brand. Digital shoppers rely on images and videos to make decisions. Photography allows your brand to showcase products and emphasize their unique features. Professional photographers have the necessary tools to produce crystal-clear photos.
Images make your apparel more attractive to consumers. They tell your brand’s story and how it’s perceived. Images also highlight the brand’s personality and level of professionalism.
Wrapping Up
The fashion industry is competitive, with its market expanding rapidly. That’s why building a distinctive brand is essential. However, success in a fast-changing industry takes effort, time, and creativity.
