Cotton Traders Meets the Consumer Demand for Mobile, by Launching Shopping Apps in 2020

As part of its latest growth strategy, Cotton Traders is repositioning the brand and extending to a younger target audience. A part of this initiative is a digital-first approach, with the launch of an iOS and Android app at its core. Cotton Traders has seen significant growth in customers moving from shopping on desktop to tablet and mobile, a trend that is consistent across the retail sector.

Shona Jameson, Chief Marketing Officer, Cotton Traders explains: "Over the past two years, we've seen more and more customers choosing to browse on mobile. However, one of the biggest challenges we faced was that where our mobile traffic was high, conversion on mobile was lower when compared with desktop."

Paul Hurst, Head of Digital, added: "To tackle this we decided to launch our first-ever shopping apps, coming later this year. We know that the experience on app will be easier and more convenient for our customers, but also is beneficial for the business. Apps tackle the challenge of higher mobile web traffic but lower conversion on mobile. We're excited to launch our apps, an entirely new channel for our customers to shop on and we look forward to growing our customer engagement and brand loyalty on our new apps."

Cotton Traders viewed partnering with Poq as "low risk." The senior execs at the business followed the progress of early app adopters, like Missguided and PrettyLittleThing, who power its apps on the Poq platform. Cotton Traders can rely on the expertise of the tried and tested app platform from Poq. 

Building on the steady growth that Cotton Traders has experienced on its digital channels and evolving the business with changing consumer behaviour, the iOS and Android apps will empower the retailer to have greater data and insight into how its customers are shopping.

Cotton Traders intends to initially launch its apps to its UK customer base, where the greatest volume of consumers are already shopping on mobile. With a loyal customer base that frequently shop with the retailer, Cotton Traders is in a strong position to engage and retain these shoppers with its apps.

Oyvind Henriksen, Co-Founder and CEO, Poq, adds: "We're excited that a traditional multichannel retailer like Cotton Traders has prioritised providing the best customer experience to its shoppers by embracing app commerce. Shopping apps have become an expectation for today's consumer and we're proud to partner with Cotton Traders to provide a great shopping experience through its apps."

Notes to the editor

About Cotton Traders

Founded by former England national rugby union team captains, Fran Cotton and Steve Smith, Cotton Traders have been producing high-quality fashion ranges since 1987. With over 32 years' experience, the brand is the fashion force that offers affordable and timeless clothing to suit every aspect of life.

About Poq

Poq is a Software-as-a-Service platform that empowers retailers to create highly effective and fully customised native apps in record time. Apps that allow them to engage with shoppers, sell more products, deepen customer loyalty and deliver highly relevant content, communications and rewards.

The Poq platform is the result of years of focus on shopping apps and is proven to increase conversion rates and revenue. Regular major releases ensure retailers' apps are up-to-date and ahead of the curve. Clients include the UK's largest brands and retailers, such as Missguided, Holland & Barrett, Belk, PrettyLittleThing, the Cotton On Group and FeelUnique.