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Women Hate Clothes Shopping

Written by RetailWire Staff

Actually, one-third of women hate clothes shopping. Well, it's really one-third of women in the U.K. In truth, it is one-third of U.K. women who were surveyed by an online retailer who hate clothes shopping.

Caveats aside, I thought it might be useful to understand why, for at least some women, this sentiment rings true. According to a study of 2,000 women surveyed by Marisota.co.uk and reported by the Daily Mail, these are some of the reasons:

  • Forty-four percent of respondents said they had been "looked down upon" by high-end shops.
  • Eight percent felt daunted because "nothing ever looks nice on them."
  • Ten percent were embarrassed to ask for their size.
  • Thirty-seven percent were uncomfortable changing in dressing rooms.
  • Fifteen percent have cried on a shopping trip — many because they "looked too fat."
  • Ten percent have cried because they "looked too skinny."
  • One-third say shopping is not therapeutic and 50 percent never get a "buzz" from it.
  • One-third hate lines.
  • Forty-two percent said shopping would be easier if they looked different.
  • Eighty percent would enjoy shopping more if they were thinner.
  • Forty four percent dread shopping for an outfit for a special event.
  • One-third prefer online shopping because it is a time-saver.

Another recent piece on Dressingwell.com provided a "Top 10" list of why women hate to shop for clothes:

  • Lack of awareness of what looks good
  • Busy lifestyles
  • Shopping not needed anymore for socialization
  • Difficult to stay on top of fashion trends
  • Overwhelmed
  • Disorganized
  • Dissatisfied with their weight
  • Guilt — don't feel comfortable spending on themselves
  • In-effective sales associates
  • Enjoy saying they don't like to shop

Emotional and/or body image issues of the respondents aside, it does seem that online shopping has the potential to win over many female shoppers who have issues with apparel shopping at physical stores. Today, over 70 percent of women research and/or buy apparel online. Sales of clothing and accessories are outpacing all other major retail categories with annual growth forecast at 16.4 percent versus 13.3 percent for total e-tail through 2016, according to eMarketer.

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