Tech to the rescue: Holiday shopping gets an AI makeover
Balodana | Powering the Personal/ized Supply Chain
Imagine a new garment industry where size charts don't matter, and clothing is made on-demand precisely to your needs.
The holidays are upon us, and with them comes the age-old hustle of holiday shopping. Crowded malls, endless gift lists, and the existential dread of finding something just right—we’ve all been there. But this year? Tech is running the show, and it’s a game-changer. From AI-powered personal shoppers to virtual try-ons, the 2024 holiday season marks a turning point in how we shop, making it faster, smarter, and maybe (just maybe) stress-free.
In what might be the first fully AI-powered shopping season, virtual try-on tools, AI-driven assistants, and hyper-personalized recommendations are guiding consumers like a team of digital elves. According to Perfect Corp. ’s latest survey, 52% of shoppers are already using (or planning to use) AI to shop this season, with virtual try-ons and tailored suggestions topping the wishlist. From Google’s AI revolutionizing e-commerce to AI chatbots helping you nail the perfect gift without breaking a sweat, this year’s tech-driven tools are making holiday shopping faster, smarter, and maybe even fun.
Which begs the question: did we really invent all this cutting-edge tech just to buy more stuff? Where’s the AI that washes dishes after Christmas dinner? Jokes aside, there’s no denying it: 2024 is the year holiday shopping went fully digital. Love it or loathe it, we’re living in the future—and it’s pretty fabulous.
? Manchester City fans can design the team’s 2026 third kit—no art skills required, thanks to Puma’s AI tools.
?? You can now wear your ugly Christmas jumper virtually for festive photos—no itchy sweaters needed.
??? A US company launches AI-powered fashion design software, giving creators new tools to bring their ideas to life.
? Another AI tool hits the market, helping emerging brands design their next big collection.
?? Like we said in our last issue, Web3 is in market compression mode. This week, Nike-owned RTFKT became the latest casualty, as the virtual sneaker and fashion brand announced it will shut down by the end of January.
?? UK-based startup TRUSS lands ￡300k to scale its resale fashion technology.
?? Supply Chain Angels partners with MakeIt to innovate and simplify fashion’s complex supply chains.
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LSU researchers merge health tech and fashion with temperature-monitoring hats designed to keep babies safe:
Follow these folks to see their POV and happenings in their corner of the fashion world:
Robert Yap , Executive Chairman at YCH Group
Mary Ma , CTO, Wear-It
Christina Sarelakos , AI Shopping at Google
Tianqiang Liu , Founder, HuHu AI
Melissa Bridgeford , CEO, Wizard
Fabrice Canonge , President, Centric Software
ANDREA ABRAMS , Founder, Phygicode
About Balodana: we are "fashtechies" who are passionate about revolutionizing the fashion industry's impact on the environment. Talk with us about our new Custom Fashion Lab on-demand manufacturing and personalized supply chain solutions, to reshape sustainability and sizing inclusion in fashion.
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Shoutout to the professionals highlighted in today's issue: Robert Yap, Mary Ma, Christina Sarelakos, Tianqiang Liu, Melissa Bridgeford, Fabrice Canonge, ANDREA ABRAMS ??