A third of women choose to shun e-shopping

Young, single women are choosing to shop for clothes at high street retailers rather than on the Internet, despite more than half enjoying access to the Internet at home or work, according to research by consumer market analyst Mintel.

In a report which could have long-term inplications for Web designers, nearly 33 per cent of women said that they would not shop on-line. The least likely – nearly half – being the “young, free and single” bracket, aged under 35 and living on their own.

Elvira Doghem-Rashid, Mintel consumer goods consultant, suggests young women with disposable incomes enjoy the shopping experience and like to sample clothes before buying them. “For young women, shopping is a social activity,” she says. Nearly 55 per cent of this category have Internet access.

The report also predicts fashion retailers aimed at young women, such as New Look and Miss Selfridge, will grow over the next four years due to the rising number of 15- to 24-year-olds.

This group, which will grow by 6 per cent by 2004, will continue to be driven by their interest in fashion and leisure lifestyles, which demand clothes for going out in the evening to pubs and clubs, says Mintel.