The fashion giant Zalando has acquired Zurich-based Swiss body scanning tech startup Fision to help over 34 million customers find the right size and fit for clothes online using the Fision's virtual dressing room for smartphones. The startup will remain at its headquarters in Zurich while fully integrating with Zalando.
Sizing systems across categories, regions, and brands vary dramatically, creating confusion and unnecessary returns for customers. Zalando, Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle currently helps its 34+ million customers to navigate this complexity by using the purchase and returns history to provide size advice on 50 per cent of all items ordered.
Today, the German e-commerce giant has acquired the Swiss startup Fision AG and its body scanning technology meepl. Fision has developed technologies that generate accurate 3D virtual bodies and clothing models on their platform meepl. Using a technology-first approach to apply the latest insights in the fields of computer vision, AI and data science, Fision has developed services tailored to the apparel industry such as Size Recommendation, Virtual Dressing Room and Made to Measure. The platform went live in November 2019. Fision AG was founded in 2015 by a team of ETH Zurich graduates in engineering with the vision to enhance the customer journey of online shoppers and to reduce the cycle of waste in the industry.
Incorporating Fision’s innovative technology into the Zalando platform will take size advice to the next level: from one based on fit feedback and garment measurements to one that is more personalized using both garment and body measurements.
“Integrating unique and complementary capabilities of Fision and Zalando is a win-win for customers and our brand partners,” comments Stacia Carr, Zalando’s Director of Engineering - Size and Fit, “Customers will get size advice earlier in their relationship with Zalando. At the same time, we can create a feedback loop between brands and consumers designed to drive customer loyalty and in the long run reduce waste.”
“We are excited to be joining forces with Zalando today,” adds Ferdinand Metzler, CEO and founder of Fision. “We share a vision for the customer-centric and sustainable fashion industry and look forward to scaling our combined know-how to over 34 million Zalando customers.”
The Fision team will continue to be based in Zurich while fully integrating with Zalando. The investment underscores Zalando’s commitment to one of its key markets, Switzerland, ahead of celebrating the 10th anniversary there next year. It opens up an additional talent venue in Zurich - one of Europe’s technology hotspots. Zalando’s ambition is to build up a new tech hub in Zurich, growing the site to 150+ jobs over time.
(Press release/ran)
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