Date:06 August 2012

Peerius and IMRG launch Merchandising Index for Fashion 2012

London, UK, July 26th 2012, - Peerius, the UK's market leader in recommendations and personalisation software, launches their second Merchandising Index in conjunction with IMRG.

The report provides a framework to identify and promote best practice merchandising within the apparel industry in the UK. Recognising that the apparel sector, perhaps because of the sheer dominance of apparel as an online industry sector or because apparel is inherently about fashion and style, is leading the market in merchandising practice.

The Top 50 apparel sites in the UK have been marked by IMRG, an independent industry body, using a matrix and a methodology developed by Peerius. This is the most comprehensive report of its kind. It not only celebrates the industry’s best performing websites it is also an indicator for changes within the industry over time.

“While price and range are always going to be key factors in a consumer’s decision to shop with a retailer, site experience has also developed into a hugely influential part of that journey. Site visitors arrive at a retailer’s site through a range of different devices, where the engagement can occur in varying contexts. The winners here are the ones who are working hard to provide an experience that is consistent across all touch-points, utilising their analytical data to fully understand and focus on the constantly changing demands of consumers.“ Andrew McClelland, Chief Operations & Policy Officer, IMRG.

The report not only recognises the Top 50 apparel sites in the UK but highlights four different categories in which online retailers have excelled in; Discovery, Visualisation, Engagement and Mobile. The winners of these categories are:

Category Winner: Discovery – Republic
Republic scored the highest when Peerius analysed the points for the Discovery elements of the index. The navigation options within the product listing pages allows users to easily filter the product by brand, size, colour, price as well as promotions and new arrivals. The navigation options were well-structured, clear and straight-forward for users to use.

 Category Winner: Visualisation – Nikestore

Nikestore were the overall winners for visualisation. Nike provides dynamic and strong graphics throughout the site, presenting their products in a unique and engaging style. Nikestore product pages keep with the theme of showcasing dynamic and striking images along with unique colour swatches. They are also consistent when displaying alternative recommendations to users.

Category Winner: Engagement – Topshop and Next

Topshop and Next were overall winners for engagement. Both sites use interaction tactics to influence customer behaviour. Both sites provide blogs to keep all users updated with fashion news, trends and stories which allows users to get inspired and create new ideas and can fulfil this by purchasing new items.

Category Winner: Mobile – ASOS

ASOS were overall winners for their interactive mobile app and optimised site, offering users another easy and efficient channel to shop.  ASOS keep their consistency of offering an appealing and engaging site through to mobile. The retailer continues to offer full product descriptions and allows access for users to zoom in and out to products and displaying clear images throughout.

The index breaks down each individual site into 10 different categories for analysis; Homepage, Mobile, Search, Basket, Product page, Category page, Editorial/Social, Reviews, Product list page and Currencies.

The retailer with the highest number of points and therefore winning the number one position was Topshop. Topshop received 100/175 points for their overall web experience.

 “I am pleased to announce that Topshop was awarded the number 1 position due to their sophisticated site and enhanced user shopping experience. The retailer provides a number of user friendly options including a mobile application, mobile optimised site and a high profile blog where customers can view the latest stories, fashion tips and styles to aid them with their purchases.  Overall this site offers an exceptional user experience in a clear and concise manner and we would like to congratulate Topshop for leading the way in online fashion.” Roger Brown, CEO, Peerius

The top ten retailers within the report also include ASOS, New Look, Oasis and River Island.  A copy of the report can be downloaded free of charge on the Peerius website

About Peerius

Peerius was founded in London in 2007 and is the UK’s market leader in personalisation solutions for multi-channel and pureplay retailers. Peerius’ personalisation technology captures all visitors’ actions and behaviour during every online shopping session, in order to learn about each individual’s preferences and responses. Using cutting edge behavioural models and real time analysis, Peerius personalizes the shopping experience for individual shoppers by presenting the content, structure and products which are most likely to entice the customer to purchase and return to the site. Peerius has a close affinity with the apparel and fashion market and works with some of the best know high-street brands in Europe.

About IMRG

IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group) is the UK’s industry association for e-retailing. IMRG is a membership community, set up to develop and the latest best practice advice to enable retailers to succeed in the world’s most competitive online market. IMRG is the recognised authoritative voice of e-retail, supporting and promoting online shopping and digital commerce since 1990.