Latest news with #StitchFix
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Predict, Personalize, Purchase: Retail's New AI-Driven Cycle
From Guesswork to Precision: The Algorithm Knows You Better Than You Know Yourself Virtual Try-Ons and AI Stylists: Personalization at Scale The Supply Chain Has Become Psychic Live Events The Store With No Staff Change or Disappear Retail used to focus on location, merchandising, and promotions. Today, it's all about data, forecasting, and personalization. AI has quietly but fundamentally changed how brands market and how consumers buy. The old retail playbook is being thrown out. AI is now the main way customers interact, discover products, and manage has completely changed the retail process. With machine learning, companies like Amazon Sephora , and Nike are not just selling products anymore; they're predicting what you will buy next. Every click, pause, and product review you scan helps an algorithm build your personal shopping profile in real marketing is gone. AI focuses on micro-moments—your mood, intentions, and even the weather—to decide what appears on your screen. This is precision retailing, where intuition gives way to data-driven when online shopping felt risky? With AI-powered virtual try-ons, that's a thing of the past. Whether you want to see how a sofa looks in your living room using AR or check how a lipstick matches your face, AI is making online shopping an interactive there are AI stylists. Companies like Stitch Fix use AI not just to recommend clothes but to design full wardrobes based on your lifestyle. It's not just personalization; it's large-scale personalization that human processes can't is not only changing the customer experience; it's also transforming backend operations. Predictive models now consider not just sales trends but also outside factors like social media activity, traffic patterns, and local events to forecast demand results in fewer out-of-stock items, less overproduction, and faster delivery. In other words, AI helps retailers anticipate needs rather than just respond to Go may have started the trend, but cashier-less, AI-driven stores are popping up everywhere. These systems are not gimmicks; they are effective, with AI managing everything from security to inventory control and even predicting isn't about replacing employees; it's about changing their roles. Workers in AI-based retail settings are moving from routine tasks to strategic customer engagement. It's a shift in workforce roles, not a cut in isn't just a feature; it's the foundation of new retail. Brands that cling to outdated methods will struggle in a world where real-time response and personalization are not extras; they're essential. The retail revolution is not coming; it's already here. AI has written the new playbook.
Business Journals
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
How adopting a subscription fundraising model could future-proof your mission
The surge of subscription-based businesses has revolutionized consumer behavior—from wardrobe overhauls with Stitch Fix to professional pet waste removal from DoodyCalls, today's consumers are hooked on convenience, favoring 'click it and forget it' services. What if your nonprofit could tap into that same mindset? What if you could apply the success of the subscription model to your fundraising efforts and build a more sustainable, predictable revenue stream through recurring giving? We're all familiar with the demise of video retail giant Blockbuster—now a cautionary tale about resisting change. Once a dominant force in home entertainment with more than 9,000 stores across the United States, the company clung to outdated models like in-store rentals and hefty late fees. Its failure to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and embrace on-demand, subscription-based services ultimately alienated customers and led to its downfall. Meanwhile, Netflix recognized this as an opportunity to rewrite the rules of customer engagement. The result? A $400 billion shift in the entertainment industry and a global realignment of consumer expectations. As consumer behavior has shifted toward subscription-based convenience, nonprofits have a chance to rethink how they engage supporters. Recurring giving offers a sustainable way to build loyal donor relationships and create long-term impact. Why subscription giving works Subscription models are no longer a budding concept but rather a proven strategy for businesses seeking long-term success—and they hold the same promise for nonprofits. One of the most compelling advantages for the organization is the generation of recurring revenue. Unlike traditional fundraising, which can be seasonal or sporadic, subscription models can provide nonprofits with a more steady revenue stream that enables more accurate budgeting, long-term planning, and operational continuity. The subscription economy, or the trend of businesses shifting to subscription-based business models, was valued at a whopping $3 trillion in 2024, up from estimates of around $2 trillion in 2023. This rapid growth reflects a global shift in how people prefer to engage with services—and increasingly, how they're willing to give. Now with increased access to innovative online fundraising software, encouraging and accepting recurring donations has become a realistic option for nonprofit organizations of all sizes. Whether creating a recurring giving program from scratch or strengthening and growing an existing one, the benefits of a recurring giving model are game-changing: Predictable Income: Monthly giving creates a steady revenue stream, making it easier to plan budgets and allocate resources more efficiently. Stronger Donor Relationships: Recurring donors are often more loyal, staying engaged with your mission over time. Reduced Fundraising Pressure: Instead of constant fundraising appeals and scrambling for one-time donations, your team can focus on delivering impact. Lower Acquisition Costs: It's more cost-effective to retain a recurring donor than to acquire a new one. Higher Lifetime Value: Donors who give monthly typically contribute more over time than those making one-time contributions. For the donors, the appeal is all about convenience. People have already grown accustomed to the ease of automated payments, whether for entertainment, meal kits, or paying a bill—recurring giving aligns with their existing habits. Once someone signs up, there is no check to write, no decision fatigue—just steady support for a cause they care about. The nonprofit sector has an opportunity to capitalize on a proven business model. Reimagining donor engagement Subscription giving is more than just a payment model, it's an opportunity to create a stronger emotional connection between your organization and its supporters. When donors opt into a recurring program, they become part of a community. They're not just giving money; they're investing in sustained impact. Much like how Netflix offers a curated user experience to keep subscribers engaged, nonprofits can use this as an opportunity to deepen trust through consistent communication, storytelling, and overall donor stewardship—implementing meaningful touchpoints that reinforce why a donor's ongoing support matters. A smarter way forward Recurring giving isn't just a smart fundraising strategy; it's a way to future-proof your mission. In today's landscape, attention spans are short and competition for potential donor dollars is high. And as with any shift in strategy, this requires thoughtful planning, clear messaging, and delivering a donor experience that feels personal and rewarding. But the potential returns, in terms of both financial stability and mission impact, are well worth the effort. By embracing this model, your nonprofits have an opportunity to redefine what it means to give and to build a community of supporters who share the same focus and commitment to your mission. Listen, then advise. That's what makes Miller Kaplan one of the top 100 certified public accounting firms in the United States. Established in 1941, Miller Kaplan has been providing audit, accounting, tax, business management, contract compliance, information security, risk advisory, industry metrics, and consulting services, to individuals, businesses, fiduciaries, and tax-exempt organizations for more than 80 years. Visit for more information.
Globe and Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Could Block's BNPL Moves Reshape Its Financial Ecosystem?
Block, Inc. XYZ is broadening its Buy Now, Pay Later ('BNPL') offerings via Afterpay by integrating installment payment features directly into the Cash App. This allows qualified users to manage BNPL transactions seamlessly within the app. Additionally, Afterpay has enhanced its merchant ecosystem by partnering with retailers like StitchFix, PetMeds and Mejuri, expanding Block's reach at checkout. Block's BNPL business continues to be a growing component of its Cash App and Square ecosystems. In the first quarter of 2025, BNPL helped drive 10% year-over-year gross profit growth for Cash App. Moreover, revenues generated from the BNPL platform were $312.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, up from $283.5 million reported in the year-ago period, indicating its growing contribution to Block's financial services portfolio. One of the key developments was the rollout of retroactive BNPL functionality for Cash App Card purchases, which was launched in February 2025. This feature allows customers to split past purchases into installments, offering added flexibility and control. Early results indicated strong adoption rates, reflecting user demand for more adaptive payment tools. Additionally, the integration of Afterpay into Cash App in March exposed Block's BNPL offerings to its full base of 57 million monthly active users. This move significantly broadened access and provided cross-platform synergies, enhancing customer engagement across payments, lending and commerce. Block reported that 96% of installments were paid on time, and 98% of purchases incurred no late fees, demonstrating the platform's responsible user behavior. From a strategic standpoint, BNPL aligns with Block's goal of expanding access to banking and credit services, particularly for middle-income consumers. By embedding BNPL deeply into Cash App's financial stack and scaling lending via in-house infrastructure, Block is positioned to grow responsibly and profitably. Overall, Block's BNPL efforts reflect a disciplined expansion strategy, balancing user growth, healthy repayment behavior and monetization potential. How Are PayPal and Affirm Growing in the BNPL Space? PayPal PYPL is expanding its BNPL business through strong user growth, improved checkout integration and global outreach. In the first quarter of 2025, BNPL volume rose more than 20%, and monthly active users grew 18%. Enhanced visibility in its modernized checkout, AI-driven personalization and targeted international campaigns are boosting adoption. Affirm Holdings, Inc. AFRM is expanding its BNPL business by strengthening long-term funding partnerships and diversifying capital sources. It extended its alliance with Moore Specialty Credit through 2027, securing continued support from a partner that has invested nearly $5 billion in its assets. Affirm also launched a $3 billion revolving loan facility with PGIM Fixed Income, enhancing funding flexibility, liquidity and scalability. Block's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Shares of Block have declined 21.6% year to date, underperforming both the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index. Block shares are overvalued, as suggested by the Value Score of D. In terms of forward 12-month Price/Earnings (P/E), Block is trading at 22.57X compared with PayPal's 13.74X. Estimates for Block's EPS for 2025 have been southbound over the past 30 days. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.) Image Source: Zacks Investment Research At present, Block carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom. With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028. See This Stock Now for Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Block, Inc. (XYZ): Free Stock Analysis Report PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Fashion Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Daydream launches as the world's first AI fashion shopping agent
The world's first AI-powered, chat-based shopping agent built exclusively for fashion was launched on Wednesday. Dubbed 'Daydream', the platform introduces a fashion-forward "chat to shop" experience that delivers personalized, conversational shopping that responds like a trusted personal shopper. Founded by e-commerce veteran Julie Bornstein, former CEO of The Yes and an alum of Nordstrom and Stitch Fix, Daydream combines advanced natural language understanding and multimodal AI, allowing users to search using everyday conversation, upload images, and receive tailored recommendations. Daydream launches with more than 200 retail and brand partners, representing over 8,000 global fashion brands and nearly 2 million products. Shoppers can discover pieces from high-end labels like Khaite, Markarian, and Casablanca; popular names like Nike, Alo Yoga, and Mejuri; and cult favourites such as Dôen, LoveShackFancy, and Cult Mia. The catalog spans both women's and men's fashion across a wide range of styles and price points. "Online shopping today is completely overwhelming and time consuming. Traditional search falls short in fashion because it doesn't understand the nuances of personal taste," said Bornstein. "By leveraging large language models and combining them with a deep understanding of the fashion space, we're building the online shopping platform of the future. Daydream lets people use real language to discover exactly what they're looking for across more than 2 million products from top fashion brands – and this is just the beginning. Our vision is for Daydream to become the smartest destination of fashion information, advice and products online. We've brought together an exceptional team using technology to help people shop in entirely new ways.' Daydream's founding team includes co-founder and chief brands officer Lisa Yamner Green, chief product officer Dan Cary, and chief strategy officer Richard Kim. Together, they bring experience from tech and fashion heavyweights like Google, Amazon, Pinterest, Meta, Farfetch, and Microsoft. The company raised $50 million in seed funding from top investors including Forerunner Ventures, Index Ventures, Google Ventures, and True Ventures. Model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss is also among the company's backers.
Fashion Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Daydream launches as the world's first AI fashion shopping agent
The world's first AI-powered, chat-based shopping agent built exclusively for fashion was launched on Wednesday. Dubbed 'Daydream', the platform introduces a fashion-forward "chat to shop" experience that delivers personalized, conversational shopping that responds like a trusted personal shopper. Founded by e-commerce veteran Julie Bornstein, former CEO of The Yes and an alum of Nordstrom and Stitch Fix, Daydream combines advanced natural language understanding and multimodal AI, allowing users to search using everyday conversation, upload images, and receive tailored recommendations. Daydream launches with more than 200 retail and brand partners, representing over 8,000 global fashion brands and nearly 2 million products. Shoppers can discover pieces from high-end labels like Khaite, Markarian, and Casablanca; popular names like Nike, Alo Yoga, and Mejuri; and cult favourites such as Dôen, LoveShackFancy, and Cult Mia. The catalog spans both women's and men's fashion across a wide range of styles and price points. "Online shopping today is completely overwhelming and time consuming. Traditional search falls short in fashion because it doesn't understand the nuances of personal taste," said Bornstein. "By leveraging large language models and combining them with a deep understanding of the fashion space, we're building the online shopping platform of the future. Daydream lets people use real language to discover exactly what they're looking for across more than 2 million products from top fashion brands – and this is just the beginning. Our vision is for Daydream to become the smartest destination of fashion information, advice and products online. We've brought together an exceptional team using technology to help people shop in entirely new ways.' Daydream's founding team includes co-founder and chief brands officer Lisa Yamner Green, chief product officer Dan Cary, and chief strategy officer Richard Kim. Together, they bring experience from tech and fashion heavyweights like Google, Amazon, Pinterest, Meta, Farfetch, and Microsoft. The company raised $50 million in seed funding from top investors including Forerunner Ventures, Index Ventures, Google Ventures, and True Ventures. Model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss is also among the company's backers.
