Source: https://t3n.de/news/retouren-onlinehandel-kleidung-neues-tool-problem-loesen-1614758/
Returns are a well-known issue in online commerce. They not only incur significant costs for retailers, but also burden the environment. They mean time and effort for consumers. For retailers, they incur high costs. According to a study by the EHI Retail Institute, retailers must spend between five and ten euros on average for each returned item.
Impacts on Environment and Economy
Not only does the economy suffer from high return rates. The environment is also burdened by the transportation routes and the packaging materials. Fashion products are particularly affected. According to EHI, return rates average between six and ten percent, with fashion products ranging from 26 to 50 percent.
Hof University has developed a new tool that could help reduce the number of returns. It is an online demonstrator that allows products to be virtually tried on at the computer. The goal is for customers to make as precise a pre-selection as possible regarding fit, size, and taste.
The demonstrator uses the current camera image of the customer as well as images of the items in different poses. This way, it is possible to virtually adapt a photorealistic and size-correct representation of the selected clothing item to the customer.
Advantages of the Demonstrator
The demonstrator offers several advantages. On the one hand, it enables precise fitting. The customer immediately sees, for example, whether the sleeves are too long. On the other hand, it reduces the effort for customers, as they only need to provide their overall body size - the rest is calculated.
A Look Ahead
Especially smaller and medium-sized companies can benefit from additional tools beyond the conventional standard. For them the costs of returns are a major burden.
Further developments in this area make an important contribution to reducing the return rate in online commerce. This once again shows how important innovations in e-commerce are.