Adidas is testing out a new way to attract customers and keep up with trends.
The German athletic-wear company has launched a pop-up store in Berlin that will scan your body, design you a custom sweater, knit it for you in the store, and have it ready for you in four hours.
While the store is just temporary, the move is part of a bigger push by the company to compete with its main rival, Nike, according to Reuters’ Emma Thomasson.
Here’s a look at how the concept will work:
The store is called Knit For You and it’s located in a shopping center in Berlin, Germany.
Source: Reuters
Inside the store, customers can design their own sweater, which is made out of merino wool and costs $215.
Source: Reuters
Customers have the option of picking a standard size sweater (like small, medium, large, etc.) or having a laser body scan so it's custom fitted.
Source: Reuters
To pick the design of the sweater, customers will go into a dark room and stand in the middle of an illuminated box. Different patterns will be projected on the chest.
Source: Reuters
The patterns can be moved around on the sweater using hand gestures, which are picked up by sensors.
Source: Reuters
Customers will be able to try out several options, then look at them all later on a monitor.
Source: Reuters
It's also possible to test out different colors by putting swatches on this cool, high-tech gadget.
The sweaters are knitted on machines right in the store.
Source: Reuters
Then, they're finished off by hand, washed, and dried.
Source: Reuters
A sweater will be ready four hours after starting the process.
Source: Reuters
The pop-up store in Berlin is the only one of its kind, but the data Adidas is compiling and the feedback it's getting from customers is being taken into account. If all goes well, the company may pursue more of these types of stores.
Source: Reuters
Adidas is already having a moment in the US, in part thanks to the resurgence of its classic low-top sneakers and Stan Smith-branded shoes, but it's still No. 2 among sportswear brands. Cool tech innovations like this one might just give it the boost it needs.
Source: Business Insider, Business Insider