Japan's Zozo says new body-measuring suit overcomes flaws of original
01/11/2020 23:00
By Sam Nussey
TOKYO, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Japanese online fashion retailer
Zozo Inc 3092.T says the successor to its "Zozosuit"
body-measuring suit has solved the flaws that sank its earlier
version.
The original polka-dot bodysuit, which when scanned with a
smartphone allowed users to upload their measurements and order
custom-made clothes, received massive interest from the fashion
industry but failed to drive sales amid complaints of poor
sizing.
Zozo's engineers had reworked their algorithms and increased
the number of measuring markers to 20,000 from 400 previously
for the "Zozosuit 2", Chief Operating Officer Masahiro Ito said
in an interview.
"We have spent the last two years getting rid of every issue
that people had so the entire process is more robust," he told
Reuters.
"Last time we were going too fast. Right now, I don't think
we need to be too careful either," said Ito.
Accurate and easy-to-use body measuring technology is being
targeted by online fashion retailers trying to reduce returns.
Zozo, which is controlled by SoftBank's domestic internet
business, is also seeking partners in fitness, healthcare and
other sectors.
The company hopes to offer the suit within a year. The new
design can be produced at low-cost via an easily scalable
printing process, Ito said.
Best known for the Zozotown online mall, the firm also
offers the "Zozomat" for measuring feet, which it says has cut
shoes returns by around a third.
Founder Yusaku Maezawa exited the firm last year. He has
attracted more than 10 million Twitter followers with cash
giveaways and a plan to orbit the moon on a SpaceX rocket.
(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
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