Online browsers hitting retailers hard

Capes clothing retailers say they have become glorified change rooms for internet shoppers in a trend described as a major worry for the industry.

Amid debate about a “fitting fee” being charged by some Australian retailers to address the online shopping threat, clothing stores in Busselton and Dunsborough have reported a rise in customers trying on clothes but then buying them online.

Sol Fashion and Footwear owner Lisa Krasenstein said retailers already knocked by low consumer confidence were becoming glorified change rooms with some customers spending hours trying on clothes at her Dunsborough store only to write down size details and find them online.

“Sometimes they actually steal the tags then they go on eBay,” she said.

While she would not charge for the service, Ms Krasenstein said the trend was “one more nail in the coffin” for those struggling to get customers to pay the full retail price.

Ms Krasenstein, who has been operating in the region for six years, said she had noticed customers were were waiting for sales to make their purchases.

Busselton-based Echo Clothing owner Ben Lloyd said the problem only accounted for about three per cent of sales but was increasing.

Mr Lloyd said shops offered a service not available online which was worth the extra costs charged over online retailers.

“They (customers) think we’re ripping them off but these online retailers have no overheads,” he said.

Small Business Centre Vasse manager Gary Jenkins said the trend was a major worry for retailers with the effects extending to electrical retailers as well.

A fee, he said, would alienate people but businesses needed to find smart ways to address those using shops as “browsing platforms”.