Why retailers should provide more Unisex clothing options
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PRIME AI |
Many retailers are moving towards a different approach to avoid the reinforcement of gender
stereotypes. You may see them being marketed as agender, gender neutral or more commonly, unisex.
This is not a new concept by any means and the fashion industry has been making progress in this area for some time now. While unisex clothing is yet to slip into the mainstream, retailers are waking up to the demands being made by consumers.
Prime AI’s unique sizing recommendation tool has the capability to recommend sizes cross gender and for unisex clothing. For example, if a woman was seeking a basic fashion item, such as a Hoodie, Prime AI technology is matching human body shape to garment SKU specifications, thus is capable to recommend items in both Men’s and Women’s categories matching her size. However, if a basic Hoodie was made Unisex, the selection of sizes or in other words number of SKUs would reduce across both categories, saving the retailer time, money by generating more revenue from the same floor space both form physical stores and eCommerce warehousing perspective.
This is not a new concept by any means and the fashion industry has been making progress in this area for some time now. While unisex clothing is yet to slip into the mainstream, retailers are waking up to the demands being made by consumers.
Prime AI’s unique sizing recommendation tool has the capability to recommend sizes cross gender and for unisex clothing. For example, if a woman was seeking a basic fashion item, such as a Hoodie, Prime AI technology is matching human body shape to garment SKU specifications, thus is capable to recommend items in both Men’s and Women’s categories matching her size. However, if a basic Hoodie was made Unisex, the selection of sizes or in other words number of SKUs would reduce across both categories, saving the retailer time, money by generating more revenue from the same floor space both form physical stores and eCommerce warehousing perspective.
Cross gender clothing size recommendation
Prime AI’s unique sizing recommendation tool has the capability to recommend sizes cross gender and for unisex clothing. For example, if a woman was seeking a basic fashion item, such as a Hoodie, Prime AI technology is matching human body shape to garment SKU specifications, thus is capable to recommend items in both Men’s and Women’s categories matching her size.As more people choose to shop online now, there have been reports that customers have been requesting that retailers should offer more when it comes to sizing. This doesn’t mean that retailers should provide even more sizes. It means offering sizes/silhouettes that are more inclusive and acceptable for both genders. Today such demand is already evident in current boxy, relaxed, boyfriend fit silhouette item’s popularity. More often we hear women simply prefer purchasing basic clothing items from Men’s department, to achieve their preferred fit.
When looking at size options for a basic T-Shirt, typically you will find at least 5 size options, for example - XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Across two genders that’s already 10 size options and then if we add color with 7 color variations that’s already 70 SKUs to be manufactured and replenished. If basic items like T-Shirts were made unisex in 7 sizes to accommodate both genders, the retailer could reduce number of SKUs by 43%, saving storage space and making replenishment more efficient.
All retailers can utilize Prime AI technology to speed up adoption of unisex clothing for certain product categories and help customers to purchase size that fits them best. This would not only eradicate a high refunds rate, but also provide a more environmentally friendly approach that makes retailer more profitable while reducing carbon footprint and gradually saving our planet.