31 years ago The Buggles topped the charts with the song "Video killed the radio star" - a song about about the end of a radio singer's career when TV arrived, according to Wikipedia it "referred to a period of technological change in the 1960s, the desire to remember the past and the disappointment that children of the current generation would not appreciate the past". It was this song that sprung to mind when I saw the new French Connection You Tube Boutique or rather twee'ly names "Youtique" - it made me think - is this the future of online shopping and the end of the static web based shop or is it "one hit wonder" (like The Buggles!)

The Youtique is really interesting to follow despite the cheesy presenting and gratuitous "yoof" references - it allows you to pick outfits according to occasions / event / season etc., see them modelled and then purchase them there and then with a link through to the FC site - as a bloke this has massive appeal - if I think of how easy it makes online clothes shopping and the multiple application to products such as sports equipment but also maybe online betting (see the last few matches highlights then bet?) or even supermarkets. However the videos have received a limited amount of views, and the transaction process still requires users to leave the video experience to enter the shop BUT considering Google TV's recent announcement I am sure all this will change.

So all being well it seems we may well be writing wistfully in 10 years time about the "good ole days" of static online shopping and the failure of those retailers that did not embrace the new ways of enticing people into their shops - "I saw you on the web back in 2010......"