»  bytes from the bird

There was an interesting article in the NY Times the other day about how luxury brands that formerly eschewed the the online retail world are now flocking to it in droves. it seems that before the Great Recession of 2009, retail brands like Hugo Boss or Marc Jacobs felt the proletarian warrens of the Web was no place to sell very expensive, very exclusive products like a $500 shirt or a $3000 handbag. In 2009, as the worldwide luxury-goods industry fell 8%, online sales were forecast to grow 20%.

But now, these ritzy brands are taking the plunge, and enjoying the benefits of a clickable environment: low overhead, no middleman, social networking opportunities, etc. And although I don't buy clothes that cost more than a week at the beach, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I think I'd prefer to shop for pricey labels online in my ratty pj's rather than have to endure the snooty atmosphere of a high-end bricks-and-mortar boutique.