Platform-based digital shoe retail
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Institutionen för teknikens ekonomi och organisation |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 000 000 |
| Project duration | November 2018 - May 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The two tasks of the project were: (1) to practically develop and test a prototype of digital product fitting platform for shoe-to-foot matching, and (2) to evaluate the effects on supply chains and business models based on digital product fitting. A prototype was developed and tested in several stores. Four research studies together with retail companies were conducted. Here it was demonstrated how companies´ competitiveness, consumers´ buying behavior and sustainability aspects can be affected.
Expected effects and result
Experiences from the practical protype is an important result. The solution worked in everyday use in a store, but it was concluded that expensive and complicated adaptations were required to develop the concept for e-commerce. The research studies showed how ordering behaviors in the event of fit uncertainty, as well as how processes and return costs in e-commerce are affected if using a digital product fitting solution. They also showed how digital product fitting can affect companies´ way of competing in the supply chain.
Planned approach and implementation
The project contained three work packages. WP1 developed a prototype with 3D scanners, customer and product database, and identified needs for further customization and calibration. WP2 performed tests of the system at two dealers. WP3 evaluated the practical tests and the potential of digital product fitting. Analyzes of transaction data from three different e-commerce companies were also performed. Qualitative analyzes of companies that use some form of digital fitting showed how to strengthen the competitiveness with digital product fitting.