NET-A-PORTER, a trendsetter in the luxury fashion industry who offers an exclusive range of designer apparel, also presents a wealth of data waiting to be explored. By utilizing web scraping, businesses can collect and study the data to gain insights into pricing strategies, product diversity and consumer behavior. In this blog, you can have a look into the insights we found after web scraping the NET-A-PORTER website.
What is Web Scraping and Why is it Important?
Web scraping refers to the automated process of extracting the structured data from websites. In the e-commerce sector, mainly in high-end businesses like net-a-porter, this practice allows for the collection of critical information such as details and patterns about pricing, availability and customer reviews. This in turn serves as a powerful tool for market analysis, price monitoring and trend analysis.
For luxury brands like NET-A-PORTER, customer preferences and market positioning plays the main role. So scraping the real-time data and analyzing it, helps open doors to a better understanding of the market dynamics.
NET-A-PORTER Data Analysis: Key Insights
Product Distribution: Web scraping reveals the distribution of products across various categories such as dresses, coats, accessories, and more, helping to identify which segments are most prominent.
Price Monitoring: By analyzing scraped pricing data, we can observe price ranges, promotional discounts, and compare how different designers position their products within the luxury segment.
Trend Analysis: Scraping customer reviews and product ratings uncovers shifting consumer preferences and highlights emerging trends within the luxury market.
Exploring Sale Price and It’s Distribution
To understand the sale price and its distribution, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 9,243 products from the website. Let's examine the results:
Descriptive Statistics of Sales Price:
Count: The dataset contains 9,243 goods.
Mean: The average sale price is around $1,461.64.
Standard Deviation: The standard deviation of $1,685.51 indicates a broad price range.
Min/Max: Prices range from $26 to $27,069, illustrating a diverse product selection that includes both low-cost and high-end items.
Quartiles and Median:
25% of products cost $458 or less.
The median price is $941, indicating that half of the products are within the more affordable price category.
75% of goods cost $1,838 or less.
Sale Price Distribution
Histogram chart shows the distribution of sale prices in NET-A-PORTER for women’s clothing. Let’s look at the chart and analyze the insights:
Price Spread:
Majority of the products are priced at the lower end, while very few are priced high. Which indicates that the store sells more affordable clothes with some expensive items.
Most Common Price Range:
Majority of the products, 4580 to be exact, are priced between $0 and $927 which indicates that the majority are affordable.
Price Increases:
As the prices increase, the number of products decreases. As an example, there are 2,332 items in the $927–$1,828 range, and the number of items decreases as the prices go up.
And very few are in the highest price range, like $8,130 to $9,040, showing there are only a few luxury items.
Price Categories:
We can think of the products as being in three main price categories:
Low-Priced: $0 - $1,828 (where most items are found)
Mid-Priced: $1,828 - $6,333
High-Priced: $6,333 and up (luxury items)
High-End Products:
There are only a few high-priced items. For example, there is only one item in the most expensive range.
Business Strategies:
As the focus is on low priced items, the store would be a good attraction for budget conscious shoppers.
Marketing can be done in a way that focuses on promoting affordable items, while highlighting the exclusive nature of high end products to attract high end customers. .
Ensuring there is proper stock of the popular low-priced items is important to meet demand.
The Discount Dilemma in NET-A-PORTER
Descriptive Statistics of Discount
Mean (Average): The average discount is roughly 0.082, implying that the discount offered across all entries is around 8.2%. This means that discounts are generally low.
The standard deviation (Std): It is about 1.812, showing that the discount values vary significantly. A high standard deviation relative to the mean indicates that certain products may offer no discounts, but others may have significant discounts.
Minimum (Min) and maximum (Max): The minimal discount is 0, indicating that some products in the dataset are being sold at their original price with no discount. The highest discount is 40, meaning that some products are available at a steep discount of up to 40%.
Quartiles and Median: The 25th percentile is 0, which means that at least 25% of the products are not discounted. The median value is 0, indicating that more than half of the products in the dataset are sold without a discount. The 75th percentile is also zero, indicating that 75% of the products have no discount.
Discounted Items: Only about 0.20% of the products are on sale or discounted.
Full-Price Items: Almost all of the products (99.80%) are sold at their full price with no discounts.
Visual Clarity: The chart clearly shows that practically all items are full-priced, as indicated by the enormous turquoise portion. The small slice at the top displays the very few reduced items.
Shopping Implications: If you're looking for discounted things, there aren't many options. Most of the clothing is offered at full price, indicating that the store concentrates on maintaining premium pricing.
Customer Perception: Discounts are uncommon, so the store may be perceived as a high-end or luxury retailer by customers. Bargain hunters may not find many bargains, but those ready to pay more for unique or high-quality things may appreciate the store.
Business Strategy:
To preserve a high-end image, the store will most likely offer limited discounts. They may see if offering a few extra reductions would attract new customers or enhance sales.
Comparing Retail and Sale Prices
A box-and-whisker plot, commonly referred to as boxplot is a graphical representation showing distribution of a dataset. Dataset’s minimum, first quartile (25th percentile), median (50th percentile), third quartile (75th percentile) and maximum values are displayed. The box shows the interquartile range (IQR) where the central 50% data lies, and the whiskers extend to maximum and minimum values within 1.5 times the IQR from the quartiles. Outliers are the data points falling outside this range which can be seen as individual points.
Let’s look at the Price Distribution:
Clothing prices vary widely, with the majority lying below $5,000.
The outliers highlight some exceptionally expensive prices, with a few goods costing up to $25,000.
And Sale Distribution:
Similar to usual prices, sale prices vary widely, with the majority falling below $5,000.
The maximum sale price is roughly $25,000, suggesting that even high-end things go on sale.
As we have seen the Price and Sale Distribution, lets just have a look at their Comparison:
Both the original and sale prices follow a similar distribution pattern, with many products clustered in the lower price range but ranging to extremely high prices.
The median price (the middle value) for both the original and sale prices looks to be comparable, implying that the overall pricing strategy may not include considerable discounts.
The spread (the difference between the 25th and 75th percentiles) is likewise similar for regular and sale prices, indicating that price fluctuation is stable regardless of whether the items are on sale or not.
What about the Product Availability and Sale Price?
Product availability can be high, medium or low along with the price being high, medium or low. So let’s have an analysis on that and see the insights.
High Quantity and High Priced Categories
Dresses are the most popular product category, with 2,060 products offered. This large number indicates that dresses are a top priority for the business, most likely due to significant consumer demand. Dresses have a high average sale price of $2,283.87, indicating that the retailer carries several high-end or designer dresses.
Tops are the second most popular category, with 1,408 pieces. This indicates a wide range of styles and alternatives in this area. The average sale price for tops is $943.17, indicating a wide price range, from low-cost everyday tops to high-end designer tops.
High Quantity and Mid-Range Price Categories
The coats and jackets category contains 978 items. This large inventory may cater to seasonal demands, with a focus on outerwear.The average sale price is $2,833.04, the highest in all categories. This suggests a large number of high-end or luxury coats and jackets.
Swimwear and Beachwear with 770 products. This category is well-stocked, most likely due to seasonal popularity. The average retail price is $607.77, demonstrating that this category includes both low- and mid-cost options.
Knitwear has 674 pieces, demonstrating its relevance, particularly during the colder months. The average selling price of $1,521.92 indicates a combination of high-quality materials and designer labels.
Denim is another large category, with 634 products. The average retail price is $806.77, reflecting a mix of premium and designer jeans.
Moderate Quantity and Price Categories
Lingerie & Nightwear contains 535 articles, indicating a moderate focus on intimate clothes. These items have the lowest average sale price of $223.89, making them accessible to a wide range of clients.
Matching Separates with 528 pieces, this category helps buyers create coordinated outfits. The average sale price is $1,255.47, showing a greater cost for coordinated sets.
Skirts are 391 in count, indicating a small but significant selection. The average selling price of $1,618.44 underlines their high-fashion appeal.
Shorts with 200 products, shorts are less popular, most likely due to their seasonality. The average sale price is $703.19, which indicates mid-range pricing.
Low Quantity but High Price Categories
Jumpsuits with 91 items, jumpsuits are a tiny category. The high average sale price of $1,945.78 points to a potential emphasis on designer jumpsuits and high fashion.
Suits being the smallest category, with only 5 items. The average transaction price of $1,793.15, which suggests these are high-end, potentially bespoke or designer suits, belies the modest quantity.
Low Quantity and Price Categories
The sports category contains 179 items. The average sale price of $257.19 demonstrates reasonable pricing, appealing to budget-conscious clients.
Loungewear offers 78 pieces, reflecting the expanding popularity of comfy home wear. The average sale price is $568.78, indicating moderate affordability.
Ski Wear, with 76 articles, is a specialized seasonal category. The average transaction price of $749.39 indicates affordability in this niche industry.
Jeans, only with 7 products in this category, indicating either a restricted number of styles or a high turnover rate. The average sale price of $400.13 indicates a preference for affordability in this area.
Deep Dive into Stock Types and Pricing
Here we analyzed the Stock distribution along different types and their pricing strategy. Let’s go through the insights.
Dominance of General Stock and Its Implications
With 6,274 articles, the "OTHERS" category represents the majority of the inventory, demonstrating a diverse range of general stock categories. Despite its dominance in volume, the average sale price in this category is quite modest, at $1,140.49, implying that these products are more mainstream and less special.
Limited Stock Drives Higher Prices
The "Low Stock" and "One Left" categories have a significant number of products (1,176 and 688, respectively) with an average price ($2,184.73 and $2,346.22). This demonstrates a pricing approach that capitalizes on scarcity, instilling urgency and a readiness to pay a premium owing to limited availability.
Exclusive Offerings and Premium Pricing
The "Exclusive" category, which includes 542 products, has a reasonable average price of $2,100.02, indicating an emphasis on unique, expensive items. The "Exclusive Access" category, despite being much smaller (5 products), has a high average transaction price of $3,285.60, highlighting the importance of exclusivity and potential benefits for loyal or elite consumers.
High-End Market Focus
The "Coming Soon" category has the highest average price of $7,055.20 for only four products, signifying premium forthcoming releases or exclusive launches aimed at high-end consumers. The "Runway" category likewise supports a luxury posture, with an average price of $2,378.75 for 142 products that emphasize high fashion and designer appeal.
Trend-Driven and New Offerings
The "Trending Now" category, which includes 214 products, maintains a high average price of $1,554.90, making it desirable to fashion-forward buyers looking for current trends. "New Designer" has fewer products (53) and a lower average price of $1,006.63, presumably targeting buyers interested in discovering rising design talent at more affordable prices.
Promotional and Clearance Categories
The "Reduced Further" category has a relatively low average price of $418.00 for one product, indicating clearance items for price-sensitive clients. "Cult Finds" and "Dd Plus," with average prices of $273.42 and $53.00, respectively, indicate that these are special promotional categories or very niche items.
Strategy Implications
Balancing Breadth with Premium Focus: Net-a-Porter successfully balances their product variety by offering a large number of general stock items at lower rates while charging higher prices for exclusive, limited, and high-end items. The company's diverse stock type and pricing allows it to serve to a wide range of customers, from luxury buyers to trend-seekers and budget-conscious consumers.
Market Segmentation and Targeting
Segmented Targeting: NET-A-PORTER segments its market by using stock types to define both availability and pricing strategies, which attracts different kinds of consumers with different purchasing power and preferences.
Top Designers Analysis
Net-a-Porter have a vast number of designers, let’s analyze the top designers from them:
Diverse Designer Offerings
ERES has the most products (282), providing a diverse range of options, indicating a significant market presence and accessibility. However, the average sale price of $568.54 suggests that ERES concentrates on high-volume sales at lower price points, making luxury more attainable.
SAINT LAURENT and GUCCI are two prominent designer brands with large product counts (251 and 249, respectively), indicating their popularity and brand appeal. Their mid-to-high average sale prices ($2,168.11 for SAINT LAURENT and $1,659.90 for GUCCI) strike a strategic balance between premium appeal and broad market reach, attracting a varied customer base.
Luxury and Premium Pricing
LORO PIANA's Ultra-Luxury Positioning: With fewer products (198), LORO PIANA has the highest average sale price of $3,051.39. This indicates a preference for rare, high-end products that highlight elegance, quality, and craftsmanship, appealing to affluent clients who value prestige.
ALAÏA and KHAITE focus on premium luxury and exclusivity, with high average sale prices ($2,732.89 and $2,447.35, respectively). Despite having a moderate quantity of products (239 for ALAÏA and 172 for KHAITE), they successfully attract clients looking for high-fashion designer goods.
Strategic Market Positioning
Balanced Offerings: THE ROW ($2,348.17) and DOLCE&GABBANA ($2,216.94) have a strong presence with premium pricing, suggesting a commitment to quality and brand prestige while remaining accessible in the luxury market.
Niche and Emerging Brands: TOTEME, with 164 products and an average price of $747.14, provides more affordable luxury, catering to those seeking contemporary fashion trends without paying a premium.Despite having a large product count (232), SKIMS has the lowest average price at $76.53, demonstrating its strategy of focusing on affordability and mass-market appeal, making luxury fashion more accessible to a wider audience.
Segmentation and Target Market
Affordability vs. Exclusivity: Net-a-Porter effectively segments its market by offering inexpensive luxury labels like as SKIMS and TOTEME, as well as high-end luxury brands like LORO PIANA and ALAÏA. This dual approach enables companies to cater to a wide range of consumer inclinations, from price-conscious shoppers to luxury seekers.
Designer Strategy and Brand Loyalty: The varied choice of designers and price tactics indicate that Net-a-Porter values both brand loyalty and new client acquisition. They appeal to both loyal clients who appreciate certain brands and new customers who are interested in luxury fashion by keeping a diverse range of price points and product offers.
Strategic Implications
Optimising Product Offerings: Net-a-Porter's distribution and pricing strategy reflects the company's commitment to optimising its product offerings in order to increase market reach, utilizing designer names to capture various parts of the fashion market.
Emphasis on Quality and Brand Reputation: High average sale prices for some designers highlight the importance of quality and brand reputation, strengthening the platform's luxury market positioning while offering options for a wide range of budgets.
Market Expansion and Inclusivity: By combining high-end brands with more cheap options, Net-a-Porter promotes itself as a welcoming platform that democratizes luxury goods, making it more accessible while keeping its posh image.
Analyzing Distribution and Pricing on Net-a-Porter
Lets analyze the distribution of products of Net-a-Porter with their pricing details:
Colour Dominance and Market Demand
Black and White Lead the Market: Black is the most popular color, with 2,360 pieces, followed by white with 1,071. Their popularity stems from their adaptability and ageless attractiveness, which have made them fashion staples. Despite their widespread availability, both colours have relatively high average sale prices (Black: $1,525.30; White: $1,370.07). This implies that these colours are available across a wide variety of product levels, from basic to luxury, and are still in high demand due to their timeless appeal.
Colour and Pricing Correlation
Colour and Pricing Correlation: Ivory's Luxury Appeal: Despite its lesser dispersion (290 products), ivory has the highest average sale price of $1,875.73. This implies that ivory things are positioned as luxury goods, potentially due to the special materials or designs connected with this colour.
Premium Priced hues: Brown ($1,614.01) and Pink ($1,569.17) have high average pricing, indicating that these hues are frequently used in premium or designer items. Beige ($1,399.28) and Blue ($1,362.40) have mid-range prices, representing a blend of accessibility and exclusivity.
Strategic Use of Less Frequent Colours
Navy (450 goods, $1,301.42) and Green (294 items, $1,340.16) demonstrate that, while less common, these colors have a strong market presence and balanced pricing. Multi-color (292 items, $1,210.92) has the lowest average price, indicating a more accessible or relaxed position.
Luxury and Exclusive Positioning
Luxury Colour Appeal: The high average costs of Ivory, Brown, and Pink indicate a strategic focus on providing luxury items with distinct colour appeal, enticing buyers looking for exclusivity and elegance.Despite being uncommon, these colours are associated with high-end, luxury products.
Wide Market Reach and Versatility
High Distribution of Versatile Colours: The abundance of black and white highlights their broad appeal and versatility, ensuring they appeal to a wide range of people.Their inclusion in both basic and luxury collections demonstrates a strategy to broaden market reach while preserving a premium image.
Balanced Product Offerings
Color Variety and client Preferences: Net-a-Porter efficiently caters to diverse client preferences by offering a wide range of colors at various price points. This strategy allows the platform to appeal to a wide range of market sectors, from those looking for classic staples to those seeking luxury or unique things.
Conclusion
The NET-A-PORTER data analysis reveals how web scraping can unleash powerful insights into the luxury fashion industry. Here we analyzed the details on product distribution, pricing, discounts and designer strategies, where we got a clear understanding of how a premium brand like NET-A-PORTER operates within a highly competitive market.
The data says that while the majority of products are at affordable rates, a significant focus on high end and exclusive items still remains. Dresses and outwears dominates the inventory, while the exclusive and limited stock items possess premium prices. As we can see from the data insights, the brand provides low discounts in general which reinforces the perception of net-a-porter as a luxury brand.
Ultimately, leveraging web scraping for a deeper understanding of NET-A-PORTER products and pricing strategies provides valuable insights for businesses looking to understand the luxury market dynamics. For net-a-porter, a balanced product range and strategic pricing helps them to cater both the aspirational and affluent segments, solidifying its position as a leader in Luxury Fashion.
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FAQ section
1. What is web scraping and how can it benefit my business?
Answer: Web scraping is an automated process used to extract data from websites. For businesses, it can provide valuable insights into competitors' pricing, product trends, customer reviews, and market dynamics. By leveraging this data, companies can make data-driven decisions related to product pricing, inventory management, and marketing strategies, improving their competitive edge in the market.
2. Can I use web scraping even if I don’t have technical expertise?
Answer: Absolutely! Many web scraping service providers offer user-friendly tools and managed services, eliminating the need for you to have technical knowledge. These services allow you to define your data needs, and the provider will handle the extraction and delivery of the data in the format you prefer, making it accessible for non-technical users.
3. How can web scraping help with e-commerce market analysis?
Answer: Web scraping helps e-commerce businesses track competitors' prices, identify trends in product offerings, monitor customer sentiment through reviews, and evaluate promotions. This data is essential for understanding market positioning, adjusting pricing strategies, and optimizing product assortments, allowing businesses to remain competitive and informed about industry trends.
4. Is web scraping legal, and how do service providers ensure compliance?
Answer: Yes, web scraping is legal, but there are ethical and legal considerations to follow.
Do go through this informative blog to know more about web scraping legality: https://www.blog.datahut.co/post/is-web-scraping-legal#:~:text=Non%2Dpublic%20information%2F%20scraping%20behind,it%20from%20the%20website%20owner.
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