Amazon.com Relaunches Clothing Business

Amazon.com (AMZN) is re-launching its online clothing and shoe business with a focus on high-end fashion in order to capitalize on an area that is expected to enjoy significant growth over the next five years, the Financial Times reports.

Forrester Research estimates that last year U.S. online sales of clothing, shoes and accessories climbed to $27 billion, an increase of 17%. Amazon's total sales last year were $24.5 billion, with analysts estimating about $6 billion to $8 billion coming from clothing, shoes and accessories.

According to the FT, Amazon said it is recruiting software engineers and graphic designers with high-end fashion experience to revamp its website with "great new features to change the way people shop for clothing." In April, eBay (EBAY) the online marketplace, re-launched its clothing operations under the eBay Fashion brand, responding to the success niche websites had stimulating sales by offering cut-rate prices for high-fashion items as consumer spending waned.