Need to Know

France – From the runway to the avatar realm, luxury house Balmain has called on fashion-fit technology company Bods to create a next-level virtual try-on tool.The partnership is destined to improve the e-commerce experience by bringing shoppers customised and hyper-realistic virtual fitting, but also to tackle the high return rates due to improper fitting.

How does it work? On visiting Balmain.com, consumers can create a personalised 3D avatar of themselves, dress it in digital recreations of Balmain designs and receive sizing suggestions from Bods’ fitmap technology. Thanks to recent tech advances, the tool enables a high level of photorealistic details. Fabrics, embellishments and tailoring, for instance, accurately replicate real-life features.

‘The luxury houses we partner with are steeped in traditions of exquisite craftsmanship, attention to detail, finest materials and intricate designs thoughtfully executed by their ateliers,’ notes Bods CEO Christine Marzano. ‘Our mission is to honour these distinct attributes while integrating our technology to create an elevated experience that is true to the brand.’

Find out more about retail’s immersive and hyper-personalised future in our EQ-Commerce macrotrend report.

Global – In a startling revelation, new research indicates that almost half of businesses have not yet formulated a plan to cut their carbon emissions, with a staggering 70% of these companies showing no immediate intention to tackle the issue. The findings, from a joint report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), are based on a survey of some 1,000 senior finance professionals globally.

This lack of action highlights a critical gap in corporate response to climate change. With nearly half of the companies surveyed without a carbon reduction strategy, and most of them disinclined to develop one, the path to a sustainable, low-carbon future seems fraught with hurdles.

The report points to chief financial officers (CFOs) as potential catalysts for change, suggesting that while they have not traditionally led the sustainability charge, they are increasingly being looked to for guidance. As financial leaders, CFOs have the opportunity to drive their organisations towards greener practices.

To successfully navigate this transition, finance teams must bolster their skills and understanding of sustainability challenges. The research underlines the pressing need to balance immediate financial imperatives with the essential long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions.