Brick-and-mortar apparel retailing has long held a trump card against e-Commerce: the ability to let shoppers try on products before they make a purchase. Startup Try.com is attempting to solve this long-standing challenge by giving shoppers a chance to try products for seven days before committing to a purchase.
Customers in the U.S. can browse several retailers’ sites through the platform, which lets shoppers browse, select their purchases and check out at no cost. Once the products are delivered, shoppers have seven days to try them before returning them, in accordance with each retailer’s individual shipping and returns policy.
The service currently supports mainstream retailers that include:
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- Forever 21;
- Net-a-Porter;
- Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack;
- Reformation;
- Saks Fifth Avenue;
- Under Armour;
- Urban Outfitters;
- Victoria’s Secret; and
- Zara.
The platform may help these retailers compete with Amazon, which launched its own try-before-you-buy service in June. Prime Wardrobe lets members try out clothes and accessories for up to seven days, including items from Calvin Klein, Adidas, Armani Exchange and several of Amazon’s own private brands.
Other retailers are embracing augmented reality (AR) to give shoppers a pre-purchase preview. L’Oréal acquired app maker ModiFace to let shoppers try different makeup combinations on their phones, and the startup also has worked with Sephora to develop the retailer’s Sephora Virtual Artist mobile app.
Home improvement and home goods retailers also are harnessing AR to drive sales. Sherwin-Williams lets shoppers virtually paint their walls with its mobile app, while Wayfair customers can use their devices to test how furniture will look in their homes.
