Increased footfall signals quick uptick in consumer spending: fashion retailer

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Fashion conscious consumers who had to remain indoors for most of the past year due to the pandemic, are emerging as the major group influencing sales of clothing items and accessories in the run up to Aluth Avurudu season, Dinesh Ekanayake, an assistant general manager at Fashion Bug told The Island Financial Review on Saturday.

He said he could already see a full year of pent-up fashion consciousness and desire waiting to be unleashed, driving a higher footfall to their stores spurring a notable rebound in consumer spending.

“We also notice that the consumer behaviour when choosing products has become more discerning and sophisticated. So we have focused on how consumer requirements can be satisfied and we drew our attention to the development of more products and brands according to consumer needs and attitudes,” he said.

When asked about the differences between men’s and women’s shopping habits. Dinesh said,”Women tend to spend more time in the store while men are more likely settle for the first feasible item meeting their needs. And women buy more items than men do.”

Asked which gender spends more on clothes, he said,” That’s an easy question. Women spend more on clothes. But let me say this too. Women are more likely to walk around and compare the prices unlike men perhaps because they buy clothes more frequently.”

Responding to another question he said, “Yes, we are aware that consumers have to bear price pressure in the food market, so we have made a good arrangement at our stores to balance it out and make them feel at ease. We have done it by focusing on ‘value for money’ for our consumers, after considering the broader economics they have to deal with on a daily basis. With the new expansion and other measures, we are ready to cater to all segments of our consumers without leaving anyone behind.”

Dinesh made these comments when Fashion Bug introduced a new look to their Maharagama branch, opening the refurbished branch to the public in the area.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment was the chief guest at the event.

Dr. Jasinghe said,” My association with Fashion Bug goes back to 2001 when I used to take my daughter to Fashion Bug near British Council to do some shopping. Later we formed an official bond where Fashion Bug wanted to engage in corporate social responsibility activities in healthcare settings. They agreed to a proposal forwarded by me to make their CSR work more formal and sustainable over a period of five years at least. They accepted that concept and they have been adopting the model for maintaining the particular clinical ward at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital and a number of other hospital wards in the country today. We are glad to see that other companies also have embraced this model in their CSR work in the health sector to help out the patients”.

Shabier Subian – CEO of Fashion Bug said, “It’s no secret that due to unprecedented events, many of our clients seek something to add a little brightness and colour in their lives. Let Fashion Bug be your ‘silver lining’ with something new for everyone.”