Home Say goodbye to this Amazon shopping feature

Say goodbye to this Amazon shopping feature

TLDR

  • Amazon to end ‘Try Before You Buy’ program on January 31 after six years.
  • AI-powered tools like virtual try-on cited as reasons for phasing out the service.
  • Cost-cutting measures align with global trends adopting AI innovations.

Amazon’s ‘Try Before You Buy’ program which allowed people to try on clothing items for free will be shut down this month, six years after it was first launched.

Through the scheme, people can choose up to six items to try on within a seven-day period. They are then only charged for the clothing pieces they decide to keep, and the return process is free.

The change has been announced through the program’s page on Amazon, with the service shutting down for good on January 31. That date marks the last day Prime customers can place orders.

The program spanned a number of categories on the e-commerce site including clothing for women, men, kids and baby, as well as shoes, jewelry, and accessories.

It was previously named ‘Prime Wardrobe,’ with the first testing of the trial starting in 2017. A year later, in 2018, the program was officially launched and became a benefit for those who pay for the Seattle-based brand’s subscription service.

Amazon Try Before You Buy to leave the site at end of the month

“Given the combination of Try Before You Buy only scaling to a limited number of items and customers increasingly using our new AI-powered features like virtual try-on, personalized size recommendations, review highlights, and improved size charts to make sure they find the right fit, we’re phasing out the Try Before You Buy option, effective January 31, 2025,” an Amazon spokesperson told Fortune.

The change comes after the company and its CEO Andy Jassy has announced a series of cost cutting measures, including phasing out its telehealth service.

It also comes at a time when brands worldwide are aiming to adopt AI practices, with a number of companies taking on the virtual try-on approach.

Chanel, MAC Cosmetics and L’Oreal are just three makeup brands which offer the augmented reality try on service online, while clothing brands like Prada and Farfetch also offer a similar tool.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.