Not all fashion returns are due to fit issues, but 60% of them are directly related to fit. I know this firsthand because I ran a fashion brand where we consistently kept return rates below 10%. So, what was our secret? It wasn’t some magical pricing strategy or flashy marketing campaign – it was something much simpler and more impactful: personalized size recommendations.
How We Reduced Fashion Returns with Personalized Sizing
Once an order was placed, we automatically asked customers to share their body measurements.
This wasn’t just about getting a bigger picture of their size – it was about ensuring that the clothes they chose would actually fit them, considering their unique body shape.
If we noticed a mismatch between their measurements and their selected size, we would proactively reach out to correct it.
Imagine that. Instead of waiting for customers to receive their items, try them on, and possibly return them, we took action before they even got the chance to consider returning.
And trust me, it worked.
The results were clear: our fashion returns stayed under 10%, even when we were a small brand.
Why This Worked
The reason this approach worked was twofold:
- Accuracy: We used the customer’s own body measurements to calculate a more accurate size, preventing the most common sizing issues that lead to returns.
- Customer Trust: Our proactive approach didn’t just reduce returns – it built trust. When customers saw that we were genuinely interested in helping them find the right fit, it strengthened our relationships. Many of them thanked us, saying things like, “No other brand has ever asked me this – thank you for your attention to detail.”
This was more than a tactic for reducing fashion returns; it was a way to show customers that we cared.
And when they felt cared for, they were more loyal, more likely to return, and more likely to recommend us to others.
The Challenge for Big Brands
Of course, for large fashion retailers, manually contacting each customer to confirm their size or ask for body measurements isn’t scalable.
That’s where technology comes in.
At SizeSense.ai, we’ve made it our mission to automate the same personalization and craftsmanship-based rules that helped us reduce returns.
Our goal is to scale personalized sizing to a level where it’s accessible for every brand, big or small, ensuring customers get the right fit without extra effort on the brand’s part.
The Big Question: Have You Asked Your Customers?
Many brands assume that customers won’t want to share their body measurements or won’t take the time to measure themselves. But have you actually asked them? Or are you just making that assumption?
From my experience, there’s no greater way to show customers that you care than by helping them get the right fit. They don’t just want a product; they want to feel great in it. And when you offer that experience, you not only minimize fashion returns, you create a loyal customer base that will keep coming back.
If you’re ready to make a change and reduce returns in a way that actually adds value to your customers’ experience, start with personalized sizing. They’ll thank you for it – and your return rate will thank you too.
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