Friday, 28 September 2012

Supermarket fashion: Morrisons joins the trend

Shop for tops and socks where you buy tomatoes and soups? Yes, the market for clothing sold in supermarkets is expanding, year by year, both in stores and online.

Morrisons has just announced its plan for the Nutmeg brand of children's clothing. Clothing director Tim Bettley explains: 'Customers tell us that they want a range which is fashionable but hard-wearing. We’ll also meet their need for simpler clothing that they can pick up as they do their food shop'.

Created by George Davies of 'Next' fame, George has given Asda momentum in building a nationally-known apparel brand with wide appeal and significant revenue opportunity. George's Facebook page (more than 95,000 likes) features the latest fashions and promotions.

Tesco's F&F fashion brand is also on Facebook (nearly 212,000 likes), with a virtual fitting room and savings vouchers plus, of course, photos of current fashions. The retailer opened Jubilee-themed F&F pop-up shops earlier in the year in busy London areas such as Covent Garden, complete with augmented reality fitting-room technology.

Sainsbury offered its range of Tu clothing in stores only for the brand's first 8 years. Now the retailer will be putting Tu online, just in time for year-end holiday shopping. Collections designed by Gok Wan (above) have helped Sainsbury boost sales and compete against its retail rivals.