Consumers tend to buy apparel from online stores based on their perception of what they think suits them, resulting in a higher scope of discontent. The makers of these applications and services realised the gap in this segment and created their products to cater to eShoppers.

Besides virtually trying out an outfit, consumers can also receive suggestions regarding similar options that will suit them. Social media channels have also been integrated in some of these solutions, allowing users to share their look with friends and recommend outfits to them over networking sites.

Sridhar Tirumala, chief executive officer and co-founder of Trupik, a company that created the 3D trial room Trupik Connect told Fibre2Fashion, “We have a vision to create a veritable in-store experience for shoppers since it has been felt that there is a clear gap in this segment where more and more people are drawn towards the online habit, but are restricted to just buying the garments of a particular size.”

Unlike various virtual trial rooms available in the market, which paste the picture of the garment on to the consumer's image, Trupik Connect recreates the consumer's physique in 3-dimensions.

Speaking about the technique that his product adopts, Tirumala says, “These (competitor's) solutions do not solve the primary problem of the consumer, which is 'Does the garment fit me? If so, how do I look in those garments?' We recreate the consumer's body in all three dimensions, which allows us to drape the garment and be able to show consumers how they look, with extreme fidelity.”

Trupik has also brought this solution to physical stores by setting up kiosks in various apparel stores in Hyderabad.  These kiosks are equipped with cameras that scan customers, and give them an idea about how outfits will look on them by providing a 360 degree view. The CEO says that consumers were blown-away in awe to see the new possibilities offered by these kiosks.

While virtual fitting rooms are great for online channels, they are not really a necessity for retail stores. Tirumala explains, “Trupik is positioned so that a new channel of shopping is created which is a hybrid of online and retail stores by marrying the best of online and offline shopping experiences. Trupik technology allows brands to customise the their physical stores for each and every consumer and present the products at their convenience.”

The popularity of virtual trial rooms among various retail channels, including brick-and-mortar stores could only mean that they are here to stay. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India