Perry Ellis International Inc. is advancing its e-commerce capabilities through a strategic partnership with Syte, an innovative AI-powered recommendation platform specifically designed for the apparel industry. Announced in December, this collaboration is already yielding positive outcomes, with Syte reporting noticeable increases in conversion rates, average order value, and revenue per user. This move marks a significant step in Perry Ellis’ mission to adapt to the rising consumer demand for smarter, more intuitive product discovery.
Ranking at No. 714 in the Top 1000 Database of Digital Commerce 360, Perry Ellis aims to strengthen its online sales strategy while meeting elevated customer expectations. The necessity for such a strategy becomes evident when considering the competitive e-commerce landscape, where shoppers are looking for the same ease and efficiency provided by traditional brick-and-mortar shopping.
Founded in 2015, Syte’s vision was to leverage AI technology to revolutionize fashion retail. Their platform recognizes intricate details in clothing and accessories, allowing customers to upload photos of their outfits for instant identification and purchasing options. In an era where online retail is rapidly expanding, Syte identified a critical gap—replicating the effortless in-store shopping experience. “Customers faced challenges in finding what they wanted, making it harder for brands to merchandise compared to the in-store experience,” remarked Matthew McAlister, Syte’s vice president of marketing and business development. “Our technology fits perfectly into this void.”
Fast forward to the present, and Syte’s AI-driven tools are now implemented across more than 100 e-commerce sites, including six Fortune 500 brands. Perry Ellis has made a multi-year commitment to integrate Syte’s recommendation engine throughout its entire online ecosystem, a decision expected to yield substantial returns.
What sets Syte apart from standard recommendation tools is its tailored design for e-commerce apparel. Its AI, trained on vast amounts of data from billions of shopper interactions and millions of product pages, takes into account numerous variables—size, fit, color, material, style, gender, and occasion—to deliver highly personalized product suggestions, even indicating alternatives when items are out of stock. “Understanding why a customer is viewing a specific item and predicting their behavior on an e-commerce site enables us to provide hyper-personalized recommendations that drive conversions,” McAlister explained.
This level of customization means that Perry Ellis can offer smarter suggestions at key touchpoints throughout the shopping journey, particularly on product listing and description pages. These critical areas often represent moments when shoppers express interest in an item but may want to explore similar, more relevant choices. Jay Nigrelli, executive vice president of direct-to-consumer at Perry Ellis, highlighted these advantages, stating, “Our customers can find what they’re looking for faster, and we’re seeing measurable improvements in metrics like average order value and customer satisfaction.”
The success of Syte’s technology is not limited to Perry Ellis. Other clients have also experienced gains following the implementation of similar AI-driven tools. For instance, Hibbett Sports, which ranks No. 294 in the Top 1000 Database, reported notable improvements in their online metrics post-integration.
The growing demand for AI-based tools like Syte’s underscores a significant trend in the industry. A recent report from Constructor titled “State of E-commerce Search and Product Discovery” surveyed nearly 900 shoppers, revealing that 42% gave product discovery experiences on retail websites a grade of “C” or below. Only 24% of respondents found the process of locating products online to be quick and efficient. Despite this, consumers recognize the impact that a robust search and discovery experience has on their shopping habits, with 62% indicating they would shop more often at a site that excelled in this area and 42% stating they would make it their go-to destination.
As digital retail continues to evolve, Perry Ellis’s approach highlights the crucial role of personalization in enhancing the online shopping experience. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company not only aims to increase its market share but also to meet the sophisticated expectations of today’s consumers. The integration of Syte’s recommendation platform could serve as a model for other retailers looking to enrich their e-commerce strategies.
In conclusion, Perry Ellis International Inc. is taking the right steps in a competitive marketplace by investing in AI technologies that promise to enhance both customer satisfaction and sales performance. As shoppers increasingly demand seamless experiences that mirror in-store interactions, companies like Perry Ellis that effectively integrate AI-driven solutions are likely to thrive.
