FitMe Launches Size Genie
Silicon Valley-based FitMe is the latest tech firm to come up with a solution for sizing. The company is rolling out Size Genie, a Web-based software application aimed at providing retailers and consumers with an accurate sizing tool that can also be integrated into e-commerce Web sites.
Consumers will be able to access the patent-pending application through the Web sites of participating retailers or directly through FitMe.com. Size Genie uses a consumer’s specific measurements to determine the right size for an optimal fit in hundreds of apparel brands. It shows how a garment fits on various parts of an individual’s body and has a “buddy” feature to forward to friends for gift shopping.
“Shoppers are often frustrated and confused with varying fit and sizes in the industry,” said FitMe chief executive officer Ram Srinivasan. “Size Genie provides personalized information for the consumer.”
The company developed the software to deal with fit-related issues that have been obstacles to online, catalog and retail purchases. Srinivasan cited a PriceWaterhouseCoopers survey that showed that more than 80 percent of Internet shoppers hesitate to buy apparel online because of sizing issues. Sizing issues have also been a drain on retailers’ profits. Researcher Bain & Co. has estimated that return costs could reach 27 percent of gross sales for online apparel retailers by 2004. —Robert McAllister
