{"id":5028,"date":"2017-04-05T14:00:59","date_gmt":"2017-04-05T18:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-digit\/submission\/stitch-fix-your-ideal-fashions-are-in-the-computer-yes-thats-a-zoolander-joke\/"},"modified":"2017-04-05T14:01:37","modified_gmt":"2017-04-05T18:01:37","slug":"stitch-fix-your-ideal-fashions-are-in-the-computer-yes-thats-a-zoolander-joke","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-digit\/submission\/stitch-fix-your-ideal-fashions-are-in-the-computer-yes-thats-a-zoolander-joke\/","title":{"rendered":"Stitch Fix: Your Ideal Fashions are IN the Computer (yes, that\u2019s a Zoolander joke)"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nOverview<\/u><\/p>\n

Founded in 2011, Stitch Fix is a fashion e-commerce company that takes the shopping out of fashion without sacrificing style. Users sign up for this on-demand or subscription service in which they receive personally curated collections of clothing and accessories based on a combination of data-driven predictions and human stylist oversight. Based upon an initial survey, Stitch Fix uses machine learning algorithms developed by over 75 data scientists to predict which items will most delight the shopper.[1]<\/a> Human stylists then use the algorithm output to select five perfect items for the user. The shopper simply pays for the items she likes and returns the misses, only paying a $20 \u201cstyling fee\u201d to Stitch Fix for its services.[2]<\/a> Despite only raising $42 million, Stitch Fix reportedly reached $375 million in revenue in 2016 and has achieved profitability.[3]<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Value Creation<\/u><\/p>\n

Stitch Fix allows shoppers to find a customized wardrobe with minimal time and energy. Additionally, Stitch Fix secures the items at a wholesale price point from brands and offers shoppers a 25% discount for keeping an entire shipment.[4]<\/a> Finally, shoppers who use Stitch Fix are relieved of irrational decision anxiety (how many times have you had a wish list item sitting in a shopping cart in your browser for weeks? I\u2019m certainly guilty of this) and are simply pushed items that are a good fit for them.<\/p>\n

How can the company do this? After the input of preference data<\/strong> via an initial survey of style, fit, and price preferences and optional Pinterest board or Instagram handle sharing (a marginal inconvenience \u2013 it took me less than 10 minutes), nothing is required of shoppers besides either buying or returning their Stitch Fix shipments. This process provides Stitch Fix with feedback data<\/strong> that makes the company smarter about fashion trends and shopper preferences.[5]<\/a> The company\u2019s ability to digest this structured data (surveys\/returns) and marry it with the stylists\u2019 interpretation and categorization of unstructured data (Pinterest selections\/notes about upcoming special occasions) allows it to create immense value for shoppers who don\u2019t have the time to shop for themselves.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

Stitch Fix is also using creative data analysis to improve the success of recommendations, and thus the value for customers. The company has done extensive testing in determining what information to share with stylists to prevent bias and promote the most successful recommendations.[7]<\/a> \u00a0Through validation systems using A\/B testing, Stitch Fix can better understand whether sharing a client\u2019s location, photo, or other attribute with a randomly selected group of st\"\"ylists results in less returns (details of this experiment can be found here<\/a>).[8]<\/a><\/p>\n

Additionally, Stitch Fix has developed advanced machine learning capabilities that allow the company to create proprietary fashion items that \u201cfill in the gaps between what\u2019s commercially available and what customers tell Stitch Fix they want.\u201d [9]<\/a> Stitch Fix\u2019s computers analyze purchases and fashion trends with countless attributes to create \u201chybrid designs\u201d that incorporate the most popular features (see infographic from WSJ to the right). While these designs currently account for a minuscule percentage of Stitch Fix\u2019s business, this capability allows the company to better customize offerings to shoppers whether or not other fashion brands have created the necessary styles.[10]<\/a><\/p>\n

Value Capture<\/u><\/p>\n

Stitch Fix\u2019s revenue model is very straightforward. It charges a $20 styling fee regardless of whether the shopper keeps the items. However, this amount is credited against the customer\u2019s purchase if they keep any of the items. If the company continues to successfully create and sell hybrid designs via machine learning, it has the opportunity to supplement this revenue stream with additional income from clothing sales.<\/p>\n

Looking Forward<\/u><\/p>\n

While Stitch Fix seems to be performing well at present and is reportedly considering an IPO, it should be aware of some challenges and opportunities on the horizon.[11]<\/a><\/p>\n