You’ll Soon Be Able To Buy Designer Fashion On WhatsApp

It's a dream we've had for a long time - being able to purchase clothes whilst browsing through our texts and social media. And now, that dream might just be about to come true - for those of us who can afford to shop on Net-a-Porter, that is.

The online retailer, that houses brands like Versace, LK Bennett, and Prada, is joining forces with the messaging service, to allow it's shoppers to buy dresses, bags, shoes, and anything else they may desire directly through the messaging app.

Personal shoppers at Net-a-Porter already use WhatsApp to chat to some of their more exclusive customers, so it seems like a logical step for the brand.

So how would it actually work? Well technology is still being tested, and there's no scheduled release date, but customers will be able to buy their wares directly on the app, without having to visit the Net-a-Porter site.

And it's an important move for the luxury e-retailer. At the moment, Net-a-Porter's mobile customers place more than double the orders that their desktop customers do, so it certainly makes sense to capitalise on WhatsApp users.

The development will also mean that Net-a-Porter is one of the first companies to use the app to actively sell to its customers.

WhatsApp is the most frequently used of all the communication apps - and yes, that's including Facebook and Twitter! More than 700 million users are on it in any given month, and they exchange around 30 billion messages per day - which is double Facebook's message traffic.

A smaller company, diamond ring maker Rare Pink, has used WhatsApp for business previously. They offer online consultations via the app, to customers looking for a bespoke ring. They say that the app allows customers to communicate with them 24/7, to get them whatever they need. The consultants can then sell directly through the messenger, to the awaiting customer.

So while this new technology may be a way off for shops like M&S and Hobbs, which might be a bit more within your price range - it could be an exciting shopping development to look forward to...