How augmented reality can cut down on returns

Students wearing costumes pose for photographs while taking part in Halloween celebrations on Oct 30, 2022. Roughly two-thirds of consumers who used AR technology to guide their shopping decision were less likely to return their purchase, according to a recent survey conducted by market research firm Alter Agents. — AFP

With Halloween upon us, here’s something scary: Americans are expected to spend close to US$3bil (RM14.18bil) this year on costumes, according to the National Retail Federation, many of which only get worn once. Factor in the growing number of returns spawned by the rise of ecommerce, and the environmental impact of Oct 31 can be frightening all on its own.

A bit of technology could help. For the first time this year, costume company Disguise Inc is partnering with Snapchat owner Snap Inc on an augmented-reality lens that lets users try on costumes virtually and then order them directly from their phone. Snapchat users take a full-body photo and then browse Disguise’s Snapchat store for costumes, which they can “try on” using an AR filter that shows how the costume would look on their person before they buy it.