Virtual try on now possible with Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence
Online shopping—the frictionless experience that has advanced to allow customers to tap a button or two and bring new stuff to their home sometimes within a matter of hours.
As tech has developed rapidly, the prominence of online shopping has additionally risen consistently. And keeping in mind that the demise of physical stores has been for the most part overhyped, online shopping has become more prevalent due to the pandemic. For fashion specifically: 35.6% of clothing was purchased online in 2020, contrasted with 16.7% the decade prior.
The biggest issue with online shopping however is that consumers like to see the item before they purchase—particularly with fashion. As a result 40% return rate is the new norm. In pre-pandemic occasions, the main motivation for customers to visit stores was to try clothing on and moreover the experience of visiting the store. But does GenZ care about inshore experience or online?
Clearly, this hasn’t stopped a huge number of consumers from purchasing fashion online. In any case, the issue remains with online shopping, the ability to see the clothing on — to envision what that new dress, or pair of shoes, or jeans look like on. Relying on imagination has resulted in consumers purchasing several items of the same style with the intent of returning, due to ease of return policies, costing the industry millions if not billions.
So shouldn’t something be said about a “virtual try on” or fitting room service? Since 2010, fashion companies have been chipping away at some type of innovation that permits customers to “try on” clothing online. Retailers and tech organisations a like, have had a go at tackling this issue by means of a combination of augmented reality, AI, cameras and different types of sensors such as LIDAR.
Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the key pieces of tech for virtual fitting rooms. The idea overlays 3D clothing onto a real life model. However most solutions today can not mirror the clothing and the body of the consumer. Most rely on preset body shapes, which again are not a true reflection of the customer. Nor does the clothing mirror the look and movement of cloth, most solutions look more 2D than 3D.
It’s an enormous venture that a ton of huge name organisations have attempted to enter into. Companies like Walmart, Adidas, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Nike are trying virtual fit tech. With Walmart acquiring Israeli start up Zeekit for around $200 million, goes to show the push for virtual try on and the difficulties of developing the tech, where companies are buying proven models.
For all the big promises of virtual fitting room tech, it all comes down to how willing consumers are to actually use it. And as with online shopping in general, GenZ’s are more likely to use the tech than older ones.
Retailers will be able to build brand loyalty through more personalised shopping experiences. This will drive sales, increase repeat visits, and build a loyal customer base. But retailers need to invest in the right kind of technology that’s easy to use, both for the retailer and for the consumer.
Many larger companies are turning to mirrARme to solve this issue of virtual try on tech. And the cost benefit of doing so has increased engagement, sales, reduced returns but more importantly, given the customer a 10X online shopping experience.
It might sound more in the future this will become mainstream, yet it’s occurring now. So don’t be amazed if very before long you’re tweaking your size and style through a mirrARme partner.
