Bringing this into the context of the designers and labels discussed on SZ, one might ask- how many labels that one finds in brick and mortar boutiques are also offered by online only retailers?
I, personally, haven't come across any e-retailers stocking the designers we discuss and as far as I recollect there are designers that even prohibit their garments from being sold online (there probably are several other reasons behind that though). Hell, there are some designers that aren't even stocked in more than a handful brick and mortar shops around the world, let alone in an online only retailer.
Moreover, in the case of one of our affiliate boutiques (INK - Hong Kong), which could undercut other retailers since Hong Kong has no import taxes, they don't accept orders for certain designers from certain countries.. which makes it possible for the European boutiques to survive.
It's also not uncommon for boutiques to come out with exclusive lines with certain designers, something that would take a potential e-retailer further out of the equation.
I think for a niche market such as artisanal mens fashion "showrooming" shouldn't be as big a threat as in other mass markets. Boutiques, many of them bolstered by a strong relationship with the designers they showcase (Darklands with Boris to name just one..), should in my opinion have enough ammunition to fend off any threat from future e-retailers.
I, personally, haven't come across any e-retailers stocking the designers we discuss and as far as I recollect there are designers that even prohibit their garments from being sold online (there probably are several other reasons behind that though). Hell, there are some designers that aren't even stocked in more than a handful brick and mortar shops around the world, let alone in an online only retailer.
Moreover, in the case of one of our affiliate boutiques (INK - Hong Kong), which could undercut other retailers since Hong Kong has no import taxes, they don't accept orders for certain designers from certain countries.. which makes it possible for the European boutiques to survive.
It's also not uncommon for boutiques to come out with exclusive lines with certain designers, something that would take a potential e-retailer further out of the equation.
I think for a niche market such as artisanal mens fashion "showrooming" shouldn't be as big a threat as in other mass markets. Boutiques, many of them bolstered by a strong relationship with the designers they showcase (Darklands with Boris to name just one..), should in my opinion have enough ammunition to fend off any threat from future e-retailers.
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