Japanese apparel companies hit by the new coronavirus pandemic have been tapping artificial intelligence technology to boost sagging sales, using it to predict the designs and colors that will come into trend.
One provider of such technology is Tokyo-based startup Neural Pocket Inc., which runs a system that automatically collects massive data related to clothing on various fashion websites, Instagram and other social networking services to analyze day-to-day changes in trends.
The company predicts the next hit products by analyzing data on colors, designs and length of clothing.
Such an approach using AI technology is new in the apparels industry, which generally relies on the experience and instinct of designers in predicting new trends.
But as the new coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on retailers, demand is growing to efficiently predict the next items in fashion.
Neural Pocket said in April its analysis has discovered a change in trend colors amid mounting concerns over the new coronavirus pandemic. Its data suggested that clothing in whitish colors, which are known to give a sense of security, were emerging to be popular.