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We have also noticed an increase of online retailers allowing customers to virtually try on clothes to see how they would fit on their own bodies. Customers purchasing online often worry that the clothes will not actually suit them therefore we want to be able to offer this service to help relieve this concern. This would increase customer confidence and in turn most likely increase sales.

Our aim is for the virtual service to:

-Use cameras or webcams to capture an accurate body shape.

-Allow customers to try on clothes and suggest sizes.

-Make suggestions based on their colouring and body shape.

- Fully functional on computers, tablets and smart phones (with cameras).

This again would help improve our customer experience and service massively as it would offer our customers a new and exciting way to shop. This software would require a lot of work, so we are setting ourselves a target of 5 years to complete this as this is one of the most technically challenging thing for us to create.

Another important area for us to think about is the efficiency of our distribution channel. We need to make sure it is kept as fast as possible to insure our deliveries are delivered on time and that our costs are kept to a minimum. This works as a positive for both our customers and us.

Currently we produce around 50% of our garments in the United Kingdom however it is our aim to be producing 75% here in the UK by the end of 2017. This will mean that the majority of our distribution channel will be kept within the UK and therefore looking after the process will be easier and less expensive. It is also far quicker to produce our clothes in the UK as we cut out a lot of travelling time and fuel costs! Garments that rely on current trends can be manufactured and delivered to customers while they’re still relevant – not when it’s too late!

Ethical trading is also becoming an extremely important issue to the public. We want to ensure that we can watch exactly how are factories are working, and how are staff are being treated. Therefor by producing 75% of our products in the UK we can watch this thoroughly.

As so much of our product would be made in the UK we want to make sure that our customers know that our garments have been ‘Made in Britain’ as we feel it would be a really strong and positive selling point. However as labour costs in the UK are higher we would need to work on increasing the efficiency of our factory and perhaps increase the level of automated stations within the facility.

Plan 1 - Click & Collect

We are aiming to create our own ‘click & collect’ service for that will offer:

□ Collection from a retailer like Boots or Newsagents (final retailer TBC).

□ Order before 8PM for free ‘click and collect’.

□ Specific time and delivery date option.

□ Free returns by dropping off at the place of collection.

□ Offer this service from computer, tablet and phone.

Click and collect is one of the newest retail trends that is working extremely well for companies such as John Lewis and ASOS. Customers can order on their computers or smart phones and collect from another location at a time that is convenient for them. This works well for people who have day jobs and cannot wait in for a parcel. Retailers are using this click and collect to their advantage and even offer free next day delivery when they use this service. For example Next offers this service as long as you order by 10PM in the evening. Once you have ordered you will be able to select a store and time to collect.

We want to have this service fully functioning within the next 3 years. It is an ambitious target however it is essential to succeed to keep us in line with our competitors. We feel that investing in this service will eventually mean increased sales and customer service for Boohoo.

John Lewis already has a well-established click and collect service they will need to ensure to keep updating this. More retailers are investing into this service and John Lewis will need to make sure theirs is the ‘best’ to keep customers loyal to their service.

Waitrose are a perfect example of a company with a well established Click & Collect service