Monsoon gives up e-commerce

Monsoon is giving up online sales after its pre-Christmas sales fell below expectations.

The fashion retailer has two websites, Monsoon and Accessorize, but is making these non-transactional.

Finance director Andrew May believes the group's goods aren't suitable for remote shopping as Accessorize merchandise is too cheap and Monsoon customers want to try on the clothes.

Instead, he says, the websites will be marketing tools that support the High Street shops.

So far, Monsoon has invested just over £100,000 in the two websites. May says the investment write-off will be minute.