Market Analysis

Image Credit: NewsMax

Amazon is discontinuing its “Try Before You Buy” service, which allowed Prime members to try on select clothing, shoes, and accessories at home before completing a purchase. The service will officially end on January 31, with the last day for eligible customers to place orders. 

The program allowed Prime members to order up to six items on a trial basis and return any unwanted merchandise within seven days without being charged. 

An Amazon spokesperson explained that the decision was driven by the service's limited reach and the increasing use of AI-powered features like virtual try-ons, personalized size recommendations, review highlights, and improved size charts. These innovations, which help customers find the right fit, have made the Try Before You Buy program less necessary.

Amazon first began testing the service under the name Prime Wardrobe in 2017 and launched it in 2018. As online shopping continues to grow, Amazon, along with other retailers, has been working to reduce costs related to returns, including shipping and processing fees. Despite the phase-out of Try Before You Buy, Amazon assured customers that free returns would still be available across its apparel department, offering a more streamlined shopping experience with a wider selection and faster delivery.

Paraphrasing text from "AP" all rights reserved by the original author.