Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/981680
POWERED BY www.meshinsights.com TM -AY*UNE ^ 4EXTILE )NSIGHT s TEXTILEINSIGHTCOM Smart Choices When shopping for tech-enabled apparel and footwear, what is your BEST source for information to learn about the technology or benefits? Company Advertising 7% In-Store Sales Associates 5% Company Websites 44% Blogs 33% Friends 11% WHAT IS YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR INFORMATION WHEN SHOPPING? Yes No 19% 81% Have you become brand loyal to certain fabric or fabrics based on a company's social media? Comments from previous buyers are generally helpful. Word of mouth is the best, I think as most have put the product to the test and give unbiased feedback. Reading reviews is the best source of info then asking friends who have the apparel. I would use blogs and company websites. I feel many times that store associates are grossly under educated with products and are forced into a profit game of pushing certain products. I don't really shop for "smart fabrics" but I get a kick out of company ads trying to convince people they "need" the stuff, HA! Friends could be a point of interest... then follow with the company website. In general, I would rely on the company's website to provide the information on the product, then glance at the customer reviews to see if the company's claims are substantiated. Well-educated sales associates can be a wealth of information. I try to seek neutral, unbiased opinions, usually from those who have similar activity patterns as me. Advertising and friends usage are pretty much a split. I also rely on In-Store sales associates but only after learning of and researching the product to a point where I go to shop. Early adopter product reviews tend to have the best info. YouTube reviews by other users. At this point - word of mouth is probably best. I'm a bit skeptical that they are worth a premium so if a friend used them and loved them -I may give it a shot. I mainly read articles on athletic wear on websites that cater to women, and exercise such as: Runners World, Womens' Health, and Women's Running. Whatever Google chooses for me. Online review sites and magazine articles. Company websites and advertising are good for the positives, but typically blogs and friends are more balanced. I find most of the time in store associated are not fully aware unless they have used a given product.