Nike develops tech based footwear
Giant sportswear company, Nike, has a new weapon in consumer engagement: Nike Fit, which uses your phone’s camera to make sure the sneaks you’re about to buy are really the best size for you.
The Beaverton, Ore.-based company says it developed the technology based on its research that three out of every five people are typically wearing the wrong shoe size and that half a million Americans kvetch about buying the wrong size shoe each year.
The new sizing function works within the Nike app. When a consumer clicks on shoe size, a new option prompts her to try Nike Fit. Then, using the smartphone camera, it scans the user’s feet, collecting 13 data points within seconds. The scan is then stored in the user’s NikePlus member profile and for future shopping, both online and in-store. It also includes a guest mode, so users can scan other people’s feet — including their kids’ — to get the best size.
Nike says the real value stems from simple anatomy. “A running shoe works best for the athlete when a little more snug, while a sportswear shoe is designed to have more room for everyday wear,” it says in its announcement. Someone may well wear one size in a Nike Air Zoom Pegasus, and another in the Nike Cortez.
Mediapost.com
