How Online Shoe Stores Can Cut Size-Related Inquiries with AI Fit Tech

1. Why Size-Related Inquiries Are a Critical Pain Point

The global footwear market is valued at over $500 billion annually, but one of its most persistent problems remains unsolved: fit.

• 80% of consumers hesitate to buy shoes online because they’re unsure about size.

• 35% of online footwear returns are caused by poor fit.

• Even in stores, 75% of shoppers report dissatisfaction with the fitting process.

This creates a chain reaction across the industry:

• Shoppers lose confidence in brands.

• Retailers face higher customer service costs, logistics expenses, and unsold inventory.

• Support teams spend countless hours answering repetitive “Does this model run small?” questions.

In short: size inquiries aren’t just a service issue — they’re a business problem.

2. How AI Fit Technology Solves the Problem

AI Size Indicator

• Analyzes 400+ brands and 60,000+ models to clearly display if a shoe runs small, true-to-size, or large.

• Shoppers gain instant confidence without contacting support.

10-Second Foot Measurement

• Using only a smartphone camera and a sheet of A4/Letter paper, customers measure their feet with ±1.4mm accuracy.

• AI classifies foot shape into six categories, capturing more than just length.

Personalized Recommendations

• The AI Fit Engine matches each profile with the shoe’s inner dimensions.

• Shoppers receive primary and secondary size recommendations based on personal fit preference (snug, regular, roomy).

• Profiles are stored, creating an always-on digital fitting room for consistent repeat purchases.

Actionable Insights for Retailers

• Identify high-return SKUs.

• Optimize merchandising and inventory.

• Enable size-based targeted marketing.

The result: fewer CS tickets, fewer returns, and higher sales conversion.

3. What Users and Brands & Retailers Are Saying

From our users:

“Now I trust the recommendation. I don’t feel the need to ask anymore.” (Performance footwear customer)

“The growth forecast tells me exactly which size my child will need in six months.” (Kids’ footwear parent)

From our brands and retailers:

“For climbing shoes, sizing inquiries used to be constant — sometimes overwhelming. After adopting AI fit recommendations, the number of questions has dropped to almost zero.” (Outdoor footwear brand)

“In kids’ footwear, sizing was always the biggest pain point for parents. With growth-forecast features in place, the volume of size-related inquiries has clearly declined.” (Kid shoes multi-brand retailer)

“In categories like women’s dress shoes, especially in overseas markets with fewer physical stores, customers often struggled to try products before purchase. That’s why digital fit solutions like PerfittSize are even more essential.” (Women’s footwear brand)

Across categories — kids’ shoes, niche performance footwear, and women’s dress shoes — brands consistently see the same outcome: fewer inquiries, more confident purchases, and happier customers.

4. Quantifying the Business Impact

Average CS cost per inquiry:

• Korea: ≈ ₩3,000 ($2.3)

• US/Europe: ≈ $4–5 (€3.5)

Simulation (10,000 monthly orders, 10% with size inquiries = 1,000 cases):

• Baseline monthly CS cost: $4,000–5,000

• With AI fit solution (30% reduction):

  • 300 fewer inquiries

  • $1,200–1,500 saved per month

  • $14,400–18,000 saved per year (≈ ₩20M)

At scale (50,000 monthly orders):

• 1,500 fewer inquiries per month

• $6,000 monthly savings

• $72,000 annual savings (≈ ₩100M)

Industry-wide impact:
If just 10% of the global online footwear market (~$50B) adopted digital fit solutions:

• Customer service and returns savings would reach hundreds of millions annually.

• Add in +20% online order uplift and up to –55% return reduction, and the combined effect reshapes profitability across the industry.

5. Why It Matters

• Customer Service Managers: fewer repetitive tickets, higher team efficiency.

• E-commerce Managers: higher conversions and more confident purchases.

• Finance & Operations: measurable cost savings and logistics efficiency.

AI fit technology isn’t just about solving size problems. It’s about building smarter, leaner, and more profitable online retail operations.

6. Conclusion

Size-related inquiries may look minor, but at scale they erode profitability and customer trust.

By combining AI fit indicators, precise foot measurement, and personalized recommendations, digital fit technology has proven to:

• Streamline manpower for size-related inquiries

  • Up to 30% fewer inquiries, cutting redundant CS workload significantly

• Reduce operating costs

  • Mid-sized store (10K monthly orders): $14K–18K annual savings (~₩20M)

  • Large store (50K monthly orders): $72K annual savings (~₩100M)

• Save time while boosting customer satisfaction

  • Fewer repetitive tickets free staff for higher-value tasks

  • Shoppers feel confident buying without asking sizing questions → higher satisfaction & loyalty

For footwear retailers, reducing size-related inquiries is no longer optional — it’s a direct path to stronger conversions, lower costs, and long-term customer loyalty.