At its Manhattan Beach store in California, Macy's is experimenting with some of the high-tech retail technology available today. This includes a system called the 'Whoosh Fitting Room' from Hointer, which uses smartphones and tablets to make it possible for consumers to try on an assortment of garments with without having to leave the changing room.
When browsing the store, shoppers are able to use the brand's mobile app to call up items in the sizes that they would like to try on. Rather than the items being delivered by a store attendant, the entire process is automated with a system of chutes. In the dressing room, there's one for discarding and another one where new sizes or styles can be delivered when new selections are made via the app. Ultimately, this system means that shoppers can relocate the time they waste undressing and redressing for browsing and purchasing.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Automated Fitting Rooms
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement automated fitting rooms in retail stores to enhance the shopping experience and reduce labor costs.
- High-tech Retail Technology
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in and develop new technologies to improve the efficiency and convenience of retail shopping for consumers.
- Mobile App Integration
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate mobile apps with physical retail stores to enable seamless browsing, ordering, and delivery processes.
Where This Applies
- Retail
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform the retail industry by incorporating automation and technology to create a more engaging and efficient shopping experience.
- Technology
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize different industries, such as retail, by providing innovative solutions and improved customer experiences.
- E-commerce
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine online and offline retail experiences through mobile app integration to create a seamless shopping journey for customers.
