I know I seem like a kid online most of the time but I do work. For almost two years I worked at an e-commerce site. Though I didn’t directly handle merchandising or marketing (I handled writing for the sister blog site), I saw how difficult it’s been for Filipino consumers to trust online shopping.
You can’t blame them either. Sizing is a mess across brands and gets pretty confusing. Consumers are bombarded with trends that may or may not look good on certain body types and there’s still a general fear of using credit cards to transact online. Hacking is a threat anywhere in the world, it seems.
I personally shop online. I’ve bought certain favorites via international sites like Barneys.com (my personal favorite) and ASOS.com. I like getting first dibs on sales and being able to order in pajamas. I value convenience and not wasting time more than anything (that’s why I work freelance so I don’t waste time stuck in traffic), but I do understand anxiety over uncertainty on whether pieces would fit and look good.
With that said, the first ever digital pop-up store in the Philippines was launched by Zalora last June 17 in Shangri-la mall to address these very concerns. The pop-up store will be up until September giving shoppers the chance to feel the clothes, see them in person, try them on and fall in love with them as they would given a regular shopping environment. But since it’s a digital pop-up store, customers order the items via laptops and iPads in-store (with assistance if needed) and the items will be delivered straight to one’s doorstep. I think it’s pretty smart given that Zalora is addressing a fear that online shoppers face – some brands (especially on Instagram) filter so well that pieces look so much better in flatlays (or shoots) than they do in real life. They also get a sense of sizing for reference in purchases moving forward. It’s relatively simple really. Shopping is so convenient when done online. Plus there’s no hassle of lugging along shopping bags full when you’re in heels and still want to walk around the mall, maybe drop by the grocery and have a meal with friends.
I actually shopped at Zalora right before the launch and wore the in-house brand from head-to-toe. My friend Angela is also matchy-matchy in a full Zalora look. Naturally, we had to take #twinning selfies and hog the dressing room.
Do check out the store at the fifth level of Shangri-la mall and try on pieces you’ve already been eyeing. If you’re a little lazy to dress up and head out, just head to zalora.com.ph. You’ll get addicted to online shopping in no time.
Trust me, I already have (another) long Zalora wishlist of my own.
