Amazon to shut down 'Try Before You Buy' rival to Stitch Fix

Company Strategy - Amazon is discontinuing its "Prime Try Before You Buy" service, effective January 31, 2025, as part of CEO Andy Jassy's cost-cutting measures [1][2][3] - The service, previously known as Prime Wardrobe, was launched in 2017 and allowed Prime members to try clothing, shoes, and accessories before purchasing [5] - Amazon has been scaling back experimental projects, including a speedy brick-and-mortar delivery service, telehealth offerings, and a video-calling device for kids [3] Service Details - "Prime Try Before You Buy" was available exclusively to Amazon Prime members, who pay $139 annually for perks like speedy shipping and streaming services [5] - Users could test a mix of luxury, staple, and Amazon-owned brands and return unwanted items for free within seven days [6] - The service operated similarly to competitors like Stitch Fix, Rent the Runway, and Urban Outfitters' Nuuly [6] Reasons for Discontinuation - The service only scaled to a limited number of items and customers, making it less viable [4] - Customers are increasingly using AI-powered features like virtual try-on, personalized size recommendations, and improved size charts to ensure the right fit [4] - Amazon is redirecting users to its fashion homepage after the service's discontinuation [2] Broader Context - Amazon has initiated the largest layoffs in its history, cutting over 27,000 jobs between 2022 and 2024 as part of cost-reduction efforts [3] - The discontinuation of "Prime Try Before You Buy" aligns with the company's broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on scalable, technology-driven solutions [3][4]