Which online store provides the best shopping experience? eCommerce News No. 82

How do you capture customer attention in the competitive eCommerce market? One effective way is to deliver shopping experiences that not only surprise and leave a lasting impression but also truly address customer needs and make shopping easier. This is exactly how leading players like Zalando, Amazon, and Vinted operate. Want to know more about the tools these companies have recently implemented? Check out the latest edition of our Press Release, featuring the freshest industry insights.

On the Vinted platform, you can now also buy used electronics

Second-hand shopping has gained popularity comparable to buying new items, becoming an attractive alternative for many consumers. Buyers appreciate the savings, the possibility of finding unique items, and the environmental benefits. Vinted, with 105 million users from 20 countries in 2023, has played a significant role in this trend.

Vinted initially focused on selling used clothing and accessories, but recently expanded its offer to include electronics. Along with introducing this new product category, Vinted also offered an optional service for verifying electronic devices. This solution is available to users who want to ensure that a product (which often, despite being used, still represents a considerable investment) is authentic and matches the seller's description.

The verification service for electronics is currently available only to users in Poland and Lithuania, with a cost of 5 euros (approximately 20 PLN). If the buyer decides to purchase a product subject to verification, the ordered electronics are first sent to a verification center in Lithuania, where they are checked by a team of specialists. If the authenticity is confirmed, the product is sent to the buyer, while if it turns out to be counterfeit, the buyer receives a refund and a detailed inspection report.

A similar service was already available on Vinted before but covered only premium clothing and accessories. The verification of luxury items operates on a similar principle but is more expensive, costing 45 PLN.

Although the verification of products extends the waiting time for delivery and increases the order cost, it provides safety and shopping comfort, especially for more expensive items, which certainly contributes to the growing trust of consumers in the platform.

AI Inspires Shopping - Trend Spotter from Zalando

Zalando, one of the largest fashion marketplaces in Europe, has a mission to inspire and encourage customers to discover their unique style. To achieve this, they offer AI-based tools that enrich the shopping journey, now fully available to Polish customers. What exactly can shoppers benefit from?

The first tool is the Zalando Virtual Assistant, supported by advanced machine learning models. The assistant not only answers standard questions (e.g., about sizing) but also helps choose outfits suitable for occasions or even current weather conditions.

The second enhancement introduced by Zalando is Trend Spotter, which tracks local fashion trends in 10 European cities, including Warsaw. By analysing data, customers can discover new, popular trends every week, both locally and across Europe. Each featured item includes information on why it was highlighted by Trend Spotter and whether it relates to a global or local trend.

Zalando's strategy emphasises that, in today’s world, online stores need to offer more than just the ability to purchase products. In particularly competitive sectors, such as fashion, providing tools that support personalization and engage users is crucial for building loyalty and standing out in the market.

AI Shopping Guide - another Revolutionary Tool from Amazon

Zalando isn’t the only online store seeking new solutions to make it easier for customers to choose the best product. Amazon has taken a similar approach by introducing the "AI Shopping Guide," an AI-powered shopping assistant that helps customers make informed purchasing decisions. What exactly does this solution involve?

The shopping guide utilises AI to analyse customer reviews and product specifications, providing users with personalised recommendations. Based on all available data, the AI creates concise descriptions and suggestions to assist customers in making purchasing decisions.

The tool supports over 100 product categories and is available on mobile devices and the Amazon website. Unlike traditional filters, the "AI Shopping Guide" takes into account customer preferences and context, making the recommendations more accurate. The goal is not only to save time but also to simplify the process of comparing products and finding the best solution in a shorter time.

Amazon's approach demonstrates the growing importance of AI in eCommerce, where the main goal is to personalise the shopping experience and deliver valuable information in a fast and accessible manner.

Want to learn more? Check it out here:

Verification of Electronic Devices on the Vinted Platform
New AI Tools Provided by Zalando
AI Shopping Guide from Amazon