The Impact of E-Commerce on the Clothing Retailers

Abstract

In the past 10 years, e-commerce has developed rapidly in the clothing industry. Many companies seek strategies to expand, innovate, and restructure, and the traditional impact from manufacturing is gradually replaced by customer relationship. E-commerce provides opportunities for both large clothing companies and small retailers. In China, the largest emerging country, there is also a trend for clothing companies to market and establish customer relationship online. This chapter focuses on how Chinese clothing retailers compete through e-commerce platform. It starts with an introduction of clothing industry, supply chain and e-commerce practice from literature perspectives. Then, there are industry review and cases studies into five Chinese clothing companies with a highlight on their management in the context of e-commerce and customer relationship. Discussion will be made to address the critical issues, followed by a summary of the chapter.