BRC-Google Online Retail Monitor reports global results for Q1 2014 depicting increase in the total volume of overseas consumers searching for UK apparel retailers. BRC-Google Online Retail Monitor Q1 2014 results -Q1 2014 experienced a 13% increase in the total volume of overseas consumers searching for UK apparel retailers, while UK shoppers searching for overseas apparel retailers increased by 5%. -India, Germany and the Russia have seen the most substantial growth rates in smartphone search volumes, at 111%, 104% and 79% respectively, for UK apparel retail searches. -A number of countries demonstrated considerable rates of growth in tablet searches including France (48%), Russia (44%), Germany (39%), Ireland (37%) and China (28%). -China has experienced the largest increase in searches across all devices at (50%) followed by Russia (42%), France (27%) and Germany (21%) -All sectors experienced an increase in the volume of overseas customers searching for UK apparel retailers on smartphones, tablets and all devices.
Smartphone searchers for Apparel experienced the largest increase, up 43%, with Department stores up 77%, followed by Footwear (53%) and Luxury Apparel (34%). -Apparel searches also experienced positive growth in tablet searches (18%) and all devices (13%). -Searches for multichannel apparel retailers experienced a 40% increase year-on-year, while searches for Pureplay apparel retailers increased by 42% -Jewellery (43%), Women's Clothing (36%), Footwear (32%) and Swimwear (32%) were the most searched categories on smartphones and across all devices. -Across all devices Men's Clothing (-11%), Children's Clothing (-4%) and Outerwear (-1%) experienced search declines, with Men's Clothing down 7% on tablets. Helen Dickinson, Director General, British Retail Consortium, said: "UK clothing and footwear retailers are already world-beaters. These new BRC-Google numbers show that they are continuing to improve and expand on their online and multichannel offers, increasing their appeal to international markets and boosting the economy with their exports. "It's particularly impressive to see the strength of women's clothing brands and our department stores shining through in these figures. A 77 per cent increase in searches from international customers seeking out UK department stores on their smartphones for example, demonstrates how taking advantage of new technology to reach an increasingly diverse audience can pay off.
