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Will in-home 3D scanner drive online clothing sales?

Written by George Anderson

Source: Naked Labs

With Amazon.com reportedly on the verge of becoming the largest apparel retailer in the U.S. and others including Macy’s, Nordstrom and Zara putting a greater emphasis on digital sales, it seems clear that Americans are increasingly comfortable with buying clothes online. Unfortunately for retailers, these same consumers are also comfortable returning the same items they order and are doing so at levels well above the 11 percent average return rate for the industry across-the-board.

Now, comes an announcement that a startup – Naked Labs Inc. – has created a 3D body scanner for home use. The device, known as Naked, includes a full-length 3-D scanning smart mirror with a connected scale and mobile app.

People who use the smart mirror will be able to track their body changes over time with details including body fat percentage, lean and fat mass. The machine also creates an avatar of the person’s body.

“Once you create a platform for body models, the number of valuable services for the end user is infinite. We truly believe this will change how people interface with the internet – and their bodies,” said Cyan Banister of Founders Fund, which led a $14 million round of Series A funding for Naked Labs.

The company, according to Business Insider, is already working with retailers to use their Naked avatar to shop for clothes that fit their personal measurements.

Naked says its technology will allow clothes to be tailored within a tenth-of-an-inch. If widely adopted, which is far from certain at the device’s roughly $1,400 price tag, the technology could mean fewer trips to stores to try on clothing. It would also likely mean a reduction in returns as retailers ship orders in the correct sizes.

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