Fashion e-retailers rise in popularity as M&S reaches top five

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 25-Nov-08, 11:55

LONDON - Marks & Spencer has shot up three places to join Tesco as one of the top five most popular e-retailers in the UK, according to Hitwise's Hot Shops List, which reveals fashion continues to be the fastest-growing online sector.

M&S increased its standing from eighth position in August this year to fifth position in November for the first time to date. The retailer ranked only 23rd in the first Hitwise HSL published in May 2006.

Amazon UK led the field once again, followed by Argos in second place, Play.com in third and Tesco.com in fourth.

The pre-Christmas edition of the Hot Shops List revealed rises in event tickets, fashion, groceries and computer websites, while travel sites fell even further than was expected at this time of year as the credit crunch bites.

The highest climbers jumping eighteen places since August, were Ticketmaster, which reached an all-time high to join the top 10 in 10th position, and Boots, which was placed 29th.

John Lewis placed 13th for the first time to date, while fashion retailer New Look made its debut in the top 50, reaching 46.

Other hot risers included Game, Asda and River Island, which each climbed 11 places from the August rankings, while Dell and Sainsbury's leapt up nine spots each.

The travel sites were the worse performing. Thomas Cook plummeted 22 places from its August ranking to hit 43, Thomson Holidays lost 15 positions to hit 22, while Travelodge and British Airways both fell by eight points.

Hitwise's Hot Shops List ranks by popularity, according to visits, the top 50 UK e-retailers selling good and services within the IMRG Index Classification.

Robin Goad, Hitwise's director of research, said: "Despite the economic slowdown, online spending is predicted to increase by 15% this Christmas.

"However, people are expected to spend less on going out, choosing instead to cocoon themselves in their homes.

"Two sectors that are benefiting from this trend are House and Garden retailers -- both B&Q and Screwfix have moved up the list -- and e-retailers selling consumer electronics, reflected in the strong online performances of Dell, Currys, HMV and Game.

"Fashion continues to be the fastest growing online retail sector, and all of the apparel retailers on the list have moved up the rankings and reached new highs this quarter."

IMRG-Hitwise Hot Shops List, November 2008