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Multichannel retailing has caused significant disruption in the market. The major credit for this disruption belongs to online retailing, which is proliferating at a high pace. With the immense gro...

Online apparel industry is suffering from a major issue of return, with a high rate of return for apparels that are sold online it becomes necessary to investigate the probable reasons of return in online apparel industry. The objective of the study is to develop a multi-criterion approach for evaluation of various factors that are responsible for the return of apparels purchased online in context of India. A total of 34 factors were identified through literature review and discussion with experienced experts from the fashion domain. In this study, best–worst method has been employed to prioritize and rank the factors for online return more effectively. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to check the robustness of the proposed model of the study. The findings of the study show that fit and size variation, defects, found a better product (wisdom of purchase), wrong product delivery, lenient return policy and value for money were identified as crucial factors for online apparel return. The present study provides valuable research implications which can be used for retail policy improvements and also to online selling strategy.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study, explore and rank the non-conforming factors in apparels purchased from e-shops. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected by visiting and interacting people in colleges and through the structured online questionnaires (n=222). The exploratory factor analysis was performed using “R” software. Identified factors were ranked using AHP methodology; 12 experts from various fashion institutes participated in identifying the factors. Findings Based upon the results of the exploratory study, non-conforming factors such as “visual variation”, “functional inconvenience”, “cloth attribute variation”, “haptic variation”, “aesthetic variation” and “fit variation” were identified. The priority ranking of factors and sub-factors was done. Research limitations/implications The sample primarily comprised of the young adult population (19–27 years) and most of them were females (71.6 per cent). There can be other demographic factors. Research is limited to online apparel retailers. Advanced methods of prioritisation can be used. Practical implications The paper can be useful to online apparel retailers, vendors and manufacturers to understand the factors that may be important for improving their business. Originality/value There is no study that identifies the non-conformance factors related to online apparel retailing.

Background —Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of ventricular repolarization characterized by a prolonged QT interval, syncope, seizures, and sudden death. Recently, three forms of LQTS have been shown to result from mutations in potassium or sodium ion channel genes: KVLQT1 for LQT1, HERG for LQT2, and SCN5A for LQT3. I sK, an apparent potassium channel subunit encoded by KCNE1 on chromosome 21, regulates both KVLQT1 and HERG. This relationship makes KCNE1 a likely candidate gene, because mutations of these genes are known to cause both the autosomal dominant Romano-Ward and recessive Jervell and Lange-Nielsen (JLN) forms of LQTS. Methods and Results —We screened 84 unrelated patients with Romano-Ward and 4 with JLN for possible mutations in KCNE1 . We identified one homozygous mutation in a JLN patient that results in the nonconservative substitution of Asn for Asp at amino acid 76. The patient is congenitally deaf-mute, with recurrent syncopal events and a greatly prolonged QT c interval. The proband’s mother and half-sister are both heterozygous for this mutation. Remarkably, both these family members have prolonged QT c intervals and would have been classified as Romano-Ward patients if not for the proband’s diagnosis of JLN. This mutation was not identified in more than 100 control individuals. Conclusions —These data provide strong evidence that KCNE1 mutations represent a fifth LQTS locus (LQT5). Further functional analysis, as well as the identification of more LQTS patients with KCNE1 mutations, will be important to confirm the role of I sK in LQTS.

Bradycardia is common in critical care units. It may be transient, asymptomatic and of little consequence, or life-threatening. Bradycardia may result from abnormalities of the sinus node, atrioventricular node, or the His-Purkinje system. It may also be precipitated by drug effects or enhanced vagal tone. Proper diagnosis is pivotal to determining prognosis and management. Temporary and permanent pacing is now readily available, markedly improving the morbidity and mortality associated with bradyarrhythmias.