Galway shops ‘used as changing rooms’ for online buying

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Younger clothes shoppers are using Shop Street as “one big changing room” before purchasing the same items online, which has the potential to cause further job losses in the retail sector, Galway Chamber of Commerce has warned.

But Chamber Chief Executive Michael Coyle said the perception that goods are cheaper online isn’t always the case.

He said shoppers are regularly visiting stores in the city centre – particularly ‘brand name’ shops – to try on clothes, take down the product code and then search for the same item online.

“We’ve been hearing of this over the last couple of years and it seems to be in a specific market segment – the younger generation who have disposable income through an allowance or living expenses that are funding, and are adept in the IT and social media area, so they can ferret out value.

“I’m not saying they do it every time, but they are very price conscious and when it comes to the big brands, it can resulting in them pounding the shopping streets, identifying what they want and then trying to source it online. Stores are busy with people trying on clothes, they are seeing the footfall, but it’s not translating to sales at the tills.

“There is a perception, though, that you will get a better deal online that you will face-to-face. But people tend to ignore the postage and duty being charged when it is delivered to their door.

“It’s unfair to use shops as a changing room, but at the end of the day, the customer is king and is driven to get the best value – that in no way reflects on the fantastic value on Galway’s streetscape,” said Mr Coyle.

He said it was very difficult to ascertain the scale of the problem, but admitted that it could cost jobs in the retail sector in Galway.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel