Tesco launches virtual fitting rooms in its stores
13 october 2026 в 15:28
The retail sector is witnessing a rise in the popularity of virtual fitting rooms, which help reduce the number of clothing returns. According to a report by the National Retail Federation, by 2025, 19.3% of online sales will be returned, negatively impacting companies' profits.
Virtual fitting rooms allow customers to see how clothing will look on their bodies before making a purchase. The first experiments with this technology began in the 1990s, but they were not realistic enough for commercial use. However, with the advancement of artificial intelligence, the startup Catches claims it can now showcase clothing with «mirror-like realism».
According to market analysis from Grand View Research, the global virtual fitting room market was valued at $ 9.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $ 46.4 billion by 2030. In North America, this market accounted for 31% of the total volume in 2023.
In the UK, supermarket Tesco has implemented a virtual fitting room in its store in Sandhurst, which could be a step towards expanding this technology to other stores. If the experiment proves successful, virtual fitting rooms could become a standard in modern retail locations alongside self-service and smart carts.
Virtual fitting rooms allow customers to see how clothing will look on their bodies before making a purchase. The first experiments with this technology began in the 1990s, but they were not realistic enough for commercial use. However, with the advancement of artificial intelligence, the startup Catches claims it can now showcase clothing with «mirror-like realism».
According to market analysis from Grand View Research, the global virtual fitting room market was valued at $ 9.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $ 46.4 billion by 2030. In North America, this market accounted for 31% of the total volume in 2023.
In the UK, supermarket Tesco has implemented a virtual fitting room in its store in Sandhurst, which could be a step towards expanding this technology to other stores. If the experiment proves successful, virtual fitting rooms could become a standard in modern retail locations alongside self-service and smart carts.
© Artemenko Olga
