The fashion industry, driven by fast technological progress, constantly welcomes a variety of fresh looks, styles, and trends that keep changing over time.
While this industry is growing fast. with an expected yearly increase of 9.36% by 2027. This growth is fueled by technology, pushing businesses to embrace digital methods and meet customer demands for smooth online shopping.
While some folks still enjoy the old-school joy of shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, the social media selling scene is getting hotter, like offering seamless shopping across different channels is crucial. Retailers are facing challenges more complicated than solving a Rubik's cube.
Despite these challenges, grasping these industry shifts is the key strategy that businesses must embrace to stay ahead in the fashion game.
This article will explore what the fashion world might look like in 2030 and the major trends ahead.
Consumer Behavior and Trends
Virtual try-ons, personal bot helpers, and social commerce have become popular, altering customers' expectations.
In today's fashion arena, folks aren't just looking for a dress; they want Cinderella's slipper - a personalized experience that fits like a glove and rewards loyalty. For example, Loyalty Rewards Programs, exclusive discounts and offers, Early access to new products, Personalized recommendations, VIP customer service, Special events and experiences, Thank you gifts and notes.
Before clicking the 'buy now' button, shoppers are doing more research than a detective on a high-profile case, often using social media, influencers, or reading reviews. About 54% of users look up products on social media.
And in 2021, nearly 70% of online shoppers checked out at least one review before making a purchase. All this shows how much the fashion industry relies on digital tools.
Trends in 2030
Technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviors are like the dynamic duo reshaping how companies groove with their target audiences. Here are some key trends that are expected to dominate the business world in 2030:
Hyper personalization
Picture this - a world where everything from your morning coffee order to your shoe size is customized to fit you like a exactly how you want it . In today's shopping extravaganza, personalization reigns supreme. Customers crave lightning-fast, multi-channel experiences tailored to their unique tastes and whims.
Stores now have better tools to quickly process data and understand how customers shop. Big companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are leading the way with machine learning technology.
These tools can really help smaller businesses too, letting them target specific groups with personalized offers. This boosts sales by making customers feel special.
But brands need to be careful not to overdo it. If they get too personal, customers might feel uncomfortable and stop shopping.
Social media and communities as a sales channel
Selling stuff on social media is the new black. From 2022 to 2023, it grew by a huge $300 billion and is expected to reach $2.9 trillion by 2026 worldwide.
Social media platforms are jumping on this opportunity by adding ways for people to buy things, called social commerce.
Younger folks, like Gen Z and Millennials, are using social media more than search engines or brand websites to shop.
This shift in shopping behavior is prompting stores to reconsider their approach to selling on social media. To succeed, stores must grasp how people engage with social platforms and enhance the shopping experience accordingly.
Personal assistants
Experts are predicting a mind-blowing $142 billion whirlwind through chatbots by 2024, a quantum leap from the humble $2.8 billion in 2019. This quick rise shows how big this trend is and how it's changing how people shop.
Personal AI shopping helpers are smart systems designed to give shoppers a personalized experience, whether they're shopping online or in a store. These helpers are important because they guide customers through their shopping journey, aiming to keep them engaged, build loyalty, and boost sales.
These bots can help customers at every step. For example, they can give fashion tips, suggest outfit combinations, provide real-time updates on product availability, offer alternative options when something's out of stock, or help with sizing and fit.
One example of a personal assistant is Mercari's Merchat AI. This virtual assistant chats with customers to help them find what they're looking for and make their shopping experience better.
Virtual try-ons
Virtual try-ons let customers try out products without actually buying them. This trend is growing fast, expected to increase by 25.2% each year until 2028, reaching $15.43 billion.
Most virtual fitting rooms use AR technology, scanning a person's body with a webcam to make a 360-degree 3D model. Artificial intelligence (AI) can also power virtual try-ons. AI uses math and learning to figure out a shopper's size and make a full-body 3D model.
For example, Warby Parker's app lets customers try on different glasses frames. It even checks their face shape and skin tone to help them choose.
Virtual try-ons give customers a good idea of how products will look on them, which helps with the uncertainty of online shopping. They're also helpful because they can reduce the number of returns, which is a big challenge for online fashion retailers.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Returns cost a lot of money and create waste that is the headache that we all face.
Mindful shopping
Another trend we're seeing for 2030 is sustainable fashion. More and more, people are caring about the environment and avoiding fast fashion.
A survey by McKinsey found that most people think it's important to reduce climate change and air pollution.
This means companies need to start making things in a more sustainable way. Brands like Patagonia are leading this by using recycled materials and telling people to buy less.
In 2030, sustainable fashion might look like this:
Customers want to know more about how their clothes are made. Brands like Zara, Adidas, and H&M are using RFID technology to track products and share info with customers.
Empowering Inclusivity: Diversity and Size Representation
Diversity and representing all sizes have become really important in fashion. This means including people of different races, ethnicities, and body types.
The younger generation, called Generation Alpha (kids born between 2013 and 2024), is the most diverse yet. In the next 10 years, there will be even more of a focus on diversity. This generation could include over 2 billion people who will shop online.
Using technology like Virtual Try-On with Generative AI can help with this. It can create models that look like real people and show how clothes might fit different body types and cultures on websites.
It's a step towards a more inclusive and empowering future, where diversity isn't just celebrated but embedded in the very fabric of fashion for generations to come.
In closing
For new fashion brands or small businesses, it's all about keeping up with new technology. Use things like AI to make shopping easier for customers and to run your business smoother.
Selling on social media is a big deal now, so learn how to do it well. Let customers try on clothes virtually before they buy to reduce returns. Being eco-friendly is important too - people care about it.
Additionally, ensure to include everyone in your marketing and product choices. By doing these things, your brand can stay on track in the fashion world of 2030.
