Arise the virtual tailor

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 outbreak has caused massive disruption to the global economy, and will continue to pose unprecedented challenges to bricks and mortar retailers.  One emerging trend during the lockdown is the continued importance of online trading.  Those retailers that have been able to offer online services while following safety protocol have been able to gain business from consumers who prefer to purchase online.
Now with many countries looking to easing the lockdown, how the new normal for apparel retailers will play out remains to be seen.   One thing is for sure, it wouldn’t be business as usual and those retailers who are able to continue to trade will be looking at ways that will help enhance the experiences of their online customers whom, understandably, may still find it difficult to physically visit shops yet lack the confidence with online garment fitting and sizing.

Now one Swiss retail technology company, meepl, has launched the next generation of smartphone-enabled Virtual Dressing Rooms solutions for specific use on e-commerce sites. This innovative new digital experience will transform the shopping journey for online shoppers, providing a customer-centric solution to the problems of garment sizing and fit, along with preventing unnecessary order returns - a big issue for retail businesses.

While product fit is a continuous concern for online clothing shoppers, consumers may find it difficult to envisage whether a certain style is suitable for their physique.
These barriers are also causing non-environmental, unsustainable shopping behaviours in the form of ordering multiple sizes with the intent of returning one or more items.

The meepl Virtual Dressing Room solution allows customers to virtually try-on clothes using a 3D body avatar. The technology behind meepl uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine to simulate 3D garment models - in real-time - on to 3D body avatars to give a realistic representation of gender, fit, size and shape.

Users of meepl will use the technology to view products, simulated on their own virtual body (or 'meepl') and directly find their ideal size for each item. With just two pictures, taken from a smartphone app, online shoppers can create a personalised meepl in seconds. From the pictures, meepl calculates a comprehensive list of body measurements, enabling your meepl to be as accurate as if you were measured by a professional tailor.

In the coming months, meepl’s VDR technology will be further enhanced with the implementation of a Body Scanning solution and Size Recommendation tool. These developments will give online shoppers an even more personalised shopping experience, and will help to increase satisfaction rates and bring further value to the customer.

Ferdinand Metzler, CEO of meepl said:
“Retail businesses are increasingly focused on developing and improving the online shopping experience for customers. Technology has developed exponentially over the last few years and the realms of what is now possible are exciting for both retailers and shoppers. Online retail businesses that explore Virtual Dressing Room solutions will better assist customers to experience the look, style and fit of garments on their own personalised 3D version of their body. The addition of this experience to the online shopping journey will help to tackle the need for unnecessary returns, and improve the purchase success rates.”
Meepl will be participating in the Sportswear Pro 2020 event now rescheduled to take place in Madrid 6 - 8 October.