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Amazon ends Try Before You Buy program to focus on AI-powered fitting solutions
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Amazon has announced the discontinuation of its Try Before You Buy Prime program, effective January 31, 2024, shifting focus to AI-powered fitting solutions.

Key details of the shutdown: The Try Before You Buy service, originally launched as Prime Wardrobe in 2018, allowed Prime members to order up to six items for home try-on with a seven-day return window.

  • Customers were only charged for items they decided to keep
  • The program competed with similar services like Stitch Fix
  • The service remains available until the January 31, 2024 deadline

Rationale for discontinuation: Amazon cites limited scalability and increasing customer preference for AI-powered fitting solutions as primary reasons for ending the program.

  • New AI features include virtual try-on capabilities
  • Personalized size recommendations have been implemented
  • Enhanced review highlights and improved size charts are now available
  • These digital solutions help customers find the right fit without physical try-ons

Broader context: The shutdown aligns with retail industry challenges around returns and Amazon’s strategic streamlining of services.

  • Returns cost US retailers approximately $816 billion in lost sales in 2022
  • This figure represents nearly double the return-related losses from 2020
  • The decision reflects a broader effort to manage return volume and associated costs

Recent Amazon strategic shifts: Despite CEO Andy Jassy’s commitment to growth, Amazon has been selectively pruning services outside its core business.

  • The company recently shut down Freevee, its ad-supported streaming service
  • Amazon has halted development of an at-home fertility tracking product
  • These moves suggest a more focused approach to product and service offerings

Future implications: While Amazon’s shift toward AI-powered solutions may improve efficiency, this move signals a broader industry trend toward digital fitting solutions and away from traditional try-before-you-buy models, potentially reshaping how consumers shop for clothing online.

Amazon Shuts Down Try Before You Buy Program

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