{"id":8791,"date":"2023-03-09T08:59:30","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T08:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/why-your-store-needs-a-size-chart-and-how-to-create-one\/"},"modified":"2023-03-09T08:59:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T08:59:30","slug":"why-your-store-needs-a-size-chart-and-how-to-create-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/why-your-store-needs-a-size-chart-and-how-to-create-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Your Store Needs a Size Chart (And How to Create One)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Retail<\/a><\/p>
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Small, medium, and large: These sizes can vary widely when it comes to actual fit, and that can be a significant challenge if you sell clothing.<\/p>\n

The problem is that whether you sell apparel with more generic\u00a0or even numerical sizes (2,4,6, or 38 waist, etc.), none of them are\u00a0completely\u00a0standardized. Any savvy shopper will tell you that a size 6 dress in one store could fit very differently\u00a0from a size 6 dress found at a competing shop. This is particularly a problem for those retailers who sell exclusively online, as their customers don\u2019t have the opportunity to try on items in a\u00a0physical store.<\/p>\n

But retailers can boost customer confidence, increase sales, and reduce returns by creating a comprehensive size chart \u2014 because there’s nothing more frustrating for a consumer than simply hoping something will fit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen shoppers have to guess, one of two things happens: They either don’t buy, or they buy two or three sizes and return the ones that don’t fit,\u201d says Morgan Linton, co-founder of\u00a0Fashion Metric, a company that offers sizing tools for apparel retailers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In fact, the average online apparel retailer experiences a return rate of 28%, and 80% of these returns are due to fit issues, she added.<\/p>\n

Sizing is frequently the No. 1 reason shoppers cite in their decision to shop in-store versus online, says Dan Weinsoft, ecommerce conversion strategist for\u00a0conversion optimization advisory firm\u00a0The Good. In-store retailers have the advantage of \u201ctrial-ability\u201d and \u201cobserve-ability\u201d simply by having a physical product to touch and try on, he says.<\/p>\n

Without these factors, ecommerce merchants and brick-and-mortar retailers with an online presence have to get creative when\u00a0explaining how your\u00a0apparel fits without overwhelming or confusing the customer.<\/p>\n

Weinsoft says one online retailer that does a good job with sizing is Columbia: \u201cColumbia emphasizes the size and fit guide high on their product detail page,\u201d he says. \u201cThey also designed a prominent on-page size and fit guide with clear, common measurements and a guide to how to measure yourself for the best fit. They’ve done everything but send a tailor out to their customers’ homes to take measurements.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Columbia<\/p>\n

Photo credit: Columbia<\/p>\n

Having a comprehensive size chart can also help protect you as a merchant, particularly if you offer custom-made products, says Benjamin Surman, founding director of brand management consultants\u00a0Firm Eight-Six.<\/p>\n

A sizing guide together with a solid Terms of Service (ToS) can help back you up when a customer wants to return a product.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Surman suggests including sizes from a variety of regions like men\u2019s shoe retailer Mark Chris does on its product pages. Also clearly state on the product pages whether or not you accept returns if the item is a custom or special order. Return policies should be included on the ToS page, and it\u2019s ideal for merchants to consult an attorney when writing one, says Surman.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is critical to be as precise and descriptive as possible,\u201d he says. \u201cOne example might be, \u2018Please try shoes on a clean, carpeted area. We will not accept returns of products with scuffed, marked, or worn soles.\u2019 Many customers have learned to read the ToS and other return policies before purchasing items; however, your part as a vendor needs to be clear and concise so that it cannot be disputed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Protect yourself and your customer by making sure your terms are read. \u201cEvery checkout form needs to have a checkbox unchecked by default that states the customer has read the ToS and any other policy before checking out,\u201d Surman says. \u201cA pop-up can be utilized for an alert, however, the proof would be the click-to-acknowledge action.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, while it may be annoying for customers to have to click the box acknowledging that they\u2019ve read and agree to your ToS, it\u2019s a vital way for retailers to ensure they have clear access to their return policy and encourage them to read it in order to protect themselves.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re creating a sizing chart from scratch or evaluating the quality of your existing guide, here are five things merchants need to know to move forward with creating an effective guide for customers:<\/p>\n

Make Sure Your Sizes are Easily Understood<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Customers need perspective and scale when shopping online, says Maria Haggerty, CEO of Dotcom Distribution, a fulfillment provider for ecommerce businesses. \u201cThey\u2019re unsure how clothes will fit the first time, and having a reference for comparison to their body type will ensure they can feel confident in their purchase,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

If your clothing comes in small, medium, and large, for example, provide comparable numerical sizes, such as sizes 8 to 10 for medium. You can also include common measurements, such as length, in inches or centimeters. Also know that \u201cone size fits all\u201d isn\u2019t true; it\u2019s more likely \u201cone size fits most.\u201d Help sales by spelling out which sizes this piece will fit. If you offer more than one type of apparel, offer a guide for each product type (i.e. a chart for dress shirt sizes as well as a shoe size chart).<\/p>\n

And if you sell clothing for women, men, and children, make sure you create separate sizing guides for each.<\/p>\n\n

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Make merchandising decisions with confidence<\/p>\n

Use Shopify\u2019s analytics and reporting to make the right merchandising decisions at each of your store locations. Spot seasonal trends, see which products require promotion, measure your promotions\u2019 impact on product sales, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Give Information That Doesn\u2019t Require Measurements<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most shoppers don’t know their body measurements offhand, so make sure your sizing guide doesn\u2019t rely solely on that information, says Linton.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery few people have a measuring tape at home, and if they do, the chances they will measure themselves is very low,\u201d she notes. \u201cWhile a size guide is important, it is critical that shoppers can determine their size without requiring a measuring tape.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fashion Metric, Linton\u2019s company, offers software that uses an algorithm to predict a customer\u2019s size by analyzing their height, weight, age, and shoe size. You could include height and weight information on your sizing chart, as well as information about the cut of the item, such as fitted or loose, so customers know how the item is intended to fit so they can adjust the size they order for their personal comfort.<\/p>\n

An example is Snapsuits, a men\u2019s formalwear retailer that closely estimates their customers\u2019 custom suit size based on a few key indicators, including height, weight, age, waist size for pants, and shoe size.<\/p>\n

\"Snapsuit<\/p>\n

Photo credit: Snapsuits<\/p>\n

Place Sizing Information Prominently Within Your Product Copy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If a customer is interested in a product, don\u2019t make them search your site for the sizing guide. The best way to share sizing information is to include it within the product copy, or have a link that creates a pop-up on the screen or takes you directly to the product sizing guide, says Syama Meagher, CEO of Scaling Retail, a retail sales strategist.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Information] should be housed on the respective product pages so as to avoid leaving the product page and losing the sale,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Add a Sizing Element to Customer Reviews<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Customers who\u2019ve purchased a piece of clothing can help you close more sales if they\u2019re allowed to share their experience through a customer review \u2014 especially when it comes to fit.<\/p>\n

For example, ModCloth offers a customer rating where reviewers rate products as running small, large or just right. The merchant also allows shoppers to upload photos of themselves wearing that specific item to publish next to their review in order to give other customers an idea of how a clothing fits on an average person versus a mannequin or a model.<\/p>\n

\"ModCloth<\/p>\n

Photo credit: ModCloth<\/p>\n

These types of thorough reviews can help your customers make the decision to purchase the item by boosting their confidence in the sizing.<\/p>\n

\nBe Willing to Accept Returns<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Although your return policy is a different part of the shopping experience, it will affect how customers feel about finding the right size and making a purchase, says Haggerty. Having a flexible and clear return policy can increase customer confidence that even if they order a product that doesn\u2019t fit quite right, they\u2019ll be able to seamlessly get the correct size or their money back.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake shipping and returns effortless so that customers know even if they do get the wrong size, they can easily exchange for the right one,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Accepting in-store returns and exchanges is also a fantastic way to keep consumers confident that they\u2019ll end up with the right size at the end of the day. That means making it easy for a customers who purchase online to return and exchange their item in your brick-and-mortar store. This is an enticing option, as customers may want an immediate refund (versus waiting for returns to be delivered by mail) or they may want to ensure they can exchange an item for the correct size. Either way, facilitating shoppers by enabling this option can increase consumer confidence that they\u2019ll eventually get the right size for them \u2014 even if it doesn\u2019t work out with the first order.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These five easy steps create a triple win for you and your customers: Your customer will be happy with his or her purchase, you\u2019ll be happy with a reduced rate of return, and you\u2019ll increase the customer lifetime value with the potential of turning them into a happy, loyal shopper.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"Stephanie<\/p>\n

About The Author<\/h4>\n

Stephanie Vozza\u00a0spends her days helping small businesses\u00a0focus on productivity. Her work\u00a0has appeared in Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur and Success magazines.<\/p>\n

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Size chart for retail stores FAQ<\/h2>\n
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How do I make a clothing brand size chart?<\/h3>\n
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1. Determine Your Sizing Scale: First, you need to decide what sizing scale you want to use for your clothing brand. Most brands use either Small, Medium, Large (S, M, L) or numeric scale (XS, S, M, L, XL).<\/p>\n

2. Measure Your Garments: Once you have chosen a sizing scale, you will need to measure your garments to get exact measurements. Make sure to measure each garment according to the sizing scale you have chosen.<\/p>\n

3. Create a Chart: Now that you have the exact measurements for each garment, you can create a chart. This chart should include the sizing scale, as well as the measurements for each size.<\/p>\n

4. Test Fit: Once you have created your chart, be sure to test fit the garments to make sure the measurements are correct. This will help you ensure that your sizing is accurate.<\/p>\n

5. Finalize Your Chart: Once you have tested the fit of your garments, you can finalize your chart. Be sure to include any additional information that may be important for customers, such as body type or fabric type.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is a size run in retail?<\/h3>\n
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A size run in retail is a range of sizes offered in a product. For example, a shoe retailer may offer a size run of 5-10 in a particular style, while a clothing retailer may offer a size run of XS-XL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the standard chart size?<\/h3>\n
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The standard chart size is usually 8.5 x 11 inches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How do I choose a size chart?<\/h3>\n
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When choosing a size chart, you should consider the measurements of the product, the target audience, and the type of fit you want to provide. Measurements should reflect the actual size and fit of the item, so you should take into account factors such as fabric type, garment type, and sleeve length. The target audience should also be taken into account when selecting the size chart, as different demographics may have different body types and sizes. Finally, you should decide on the type of fit you want to provide, such as slim fit, regular fit, or loose fit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Retail<\/a><\/p>
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