Case Study: A Solution to increase the revenue of retailers

How ethnic wear retailers can simplify customers’ shopping experiences. I have observed the challenges faced by customers shopping for ethnic wear.

Introduction

This article highlights a few common problems faced by customers who shop for ethnic wear. Before writing the solution to this problem, I interacted with many retailers and customers, and then I highlighted the major problems faced by both of them.

Many times I go shopping and see how shopkeepers interact with their customers and how customers are responding to them, During that course of time, what are the things bothering both of them and how can they be solved, which can enhance the customer experience, give retailers more revenue, reduce returns, and reduce the time spent by customers and shopkeepers.

Empathy

This is the first stage of the design thinking approach to empathizing with or understanding the perspective, emotions, and feelings of others.

Before moving forward, here I have a set of questions that mainly focus on how problem identification is done from the perspective of retail shopkeepers and their customers.

Retailer’s Perspective

1. How many dresses do you have in your store to sell?
2. How many customers are you able to attend on an average daily basis out of the total?
3. Do you have a trial facility for customers to try the dresses? If it is spacious, safe, and ventilated enough to comfort customers?
4. What average time does it take the customer to finalize her desired dress?
5. What do you think when customers do not purchase dresses from your shop?

User’s Perspective

1. How much time does it take you to select a dress from a retail shop?
2. What makes you annoyed while purchasing ethnic dresses?
3. What could be the reason for not purchasing a dress from a shop?
4. What are the things you consider while going shopping to purchase ethnic dresses?

To do user research, and dive deep into the problem identification process, I interviewed a set of questions from two users and two retailers to understand and clarify scenarios of challenges.

Retailer’s persona

User’s Persona

Define

1. Retailers find it difficult to show each of their available dresses to multiple cohorts, as it is a tedious, time-consuming task that requires more labor.

2. Customers feel tired while trying heavy ethnic dresses repeatedly, which makes them annoyed; thus, the overall shopping experience is not up to par.

3. Some shops don’t even have trial facilities for their customers, so it becomes difficult for shoppers to finalize.

4. Some of the sellers don’t have policies to change or return, due to which customers become disappointed.

5. It is sometimes difficult to find the desired dress even after hopping through multiple shops.

Ideate

After defining the problems, I came up with a great solution that can enhance the customer experience by providing them with a more convenient way of shopping.

With the help of augmented reality mirrors, customers can visually try on clothing without having to wear it. These gadgets, sometimes called virtual dressing mirrors, offer a quick and easy substitute for traditional changing rooms.

Customers may have an immersive and engaging shopping experience with these smart mirrors, which blend cutting-edge technology with a conventional mirror.

The retail sector is utilizing AI and IoT smart mirrors in the following ways:
1. Online trial: AI smart mirrors enable users to digitally try on clothes, accessories, and makeup without having to get dressed. They do this by utilizing augmented reality (AR) technology. This lessens the need for actual fitting rooms while improving the shopping experience.

2. Tailored advice: AI algorithms are used by Internet of Things smart mirrors to assess a customer’s tastes and recommend goods that complement their aesthetic. Additionally, the mirrors are capable of analysing a customer’s body measurements and making customized clothing recommendations.

3. Interactive displays: AI smart mirrors can be configured to provide interactive product details, promotions, and ads. This makes it possible for shops to interact with customers in real-time and give them a more engaging shopping experience.

4. Consumer input: IoT smart mirrors can collect reviews and comments from customers, which can assist merchants in bettering their product lines and focusing their marketing efforts.

5. Inventory management: By integrating AI smart mirrors with the retailer’s inventory management system, real-time product availability data can be obtained. Retailers can avoid stockouts by using this information to inform their restocking selections.

An additional benefit of smart mirrors is their ability to be coupled with e-commerce platforms of businesses, enabling users to make purchases straight from the mirror. This not only makes shopping more enjoyable but also increases the chances of making sales.

Prototype

An augmented reality mirror can provide users with a virtual try-on facility with all the features they require while trying, like the ability to choose from the available stock of a shop of their own choice, complemented with required features like color, type, and size, with different background templates as well.

Displays Available Options

Customize outfit as per your need

User’s Virtual Trial Image

Testing

I discussed the prototype with some of the users and shop owners, and they shared their opinions and views on AR Mirror. Retailers said it is a much-needed solution as it becomes so hectic for us to show each of the dresses to different customers, that it requires more space and time. An AR mirror can help in a great way to provide virtual try-on facilities to customers or enhance the customer experience eventually. Also, we asked some of the customers, and they said AR mirrors can solve a big problem for us as it saves time to hop on multiple dresses, and customization features give us more of a good choice from available options.

Measurement of Solution

Solution implementation can be measured by focusing on key business metrics, as it provides retailers with informed decisions. So, I read a few of the articles on this solution implementation and heard some businesses have implemented AR mirrors in their retail stores, and it is observed that the performance is outstanding as the conversion rate increases, consequently increasing sales, and the return rate decreases, hence achieving a good net promoter score.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

Please share your opinions on this solution.

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You can reach out to me at swarnimgoyal297mgmt@gmail.com or Linkedin