Volumental

High-Level Overview

Volumental is a Stockholm-based technology company specializing in 3D foot scanning and AI-driven fit recommendations for the footwear retail industry. It builds a FitTech platform featuring a retail scanner that captures a customer's foot in 5 seconds using four cameras, generating a 3D model with precise measurements across 12 dimensions, and an AI-powered Fit Engine™ that matches shoes to individual foot shapes using scan data, purchase history, and inventory integration[1][2][5][7]. The platform serves global footwear brands and retailers like New Balance, Red Wing Shoes, Fleet Feet, The Athlete’s Foot, adidas, Lululemon, and On Running, operating in over 3,000 stores across 60+ countries, solving the core problem of unreliable sizing that leads to high returns, poor customer experiences, and lost sales by enabling accurate in-store and online recommendations[4][5][6][7]. With 66 million+ feet scanned and metrics like 20-30% sales increases, 18% return reductions, and 75%+ targeted email open rates, Volumental demonstrates strong growth momentum, expanding from retail scanning to R&D data services and omnichannel marketing[4][5][7].

Origin Story

Volumental was founded in 2016 (with some sources noting early activity around 2012) in Stockholm, Sweden, emerging from the need to modernize footwear fitting beyond outdated tools like the Brannock device[2][3]. The founders leveraged advances in 3D imaging, AI, and machine learning to create the world's fastest foot scanner, starting with in-store hardware that quickly gained traction through partnerships with top retailers[1][5]. Pivotal early moments include deployments with brands like New Balance and Bauer, scaling to 2,500+ stores in 45 countries by mid-2020s, and aggregating millions of scans to fuel an AI recommendation engine; this data flywheel propelled growth, with scans surpassing 22 million by recent counts and now at 66 million+, humanizing the fit process as "more than a size—it's a feeling"[3][4][7].

Core Differentiators

Volumental stands out in footwear FitTech through these key strengths:

• Unmatched Speed and Accuracy: 5-second scans via 4-camera towers capturing 1,000 images, measuring 12 foot dimensions for detailed 3D models—far surpassing manual tools and enabling precise fit-zones from heel to toe[1][2][5].
• AI-Powered Fit Engine™: Combines 3D scans, retail purchase data, and live inventory for personalized recommendations, boosting sales 20-30%, cutting returns 18%, and lifting NPS 15-20%[2][4][5].
• Omnichannel Data Platform: Volumental Cloud provides global analytics, 3D models for R&D (e.g., Lululemon's women-specific shoes), and marketing tools like high-conversion emails, with 1M+ images analyzed daily[1][4][6].
• Proven Scale and Ecosystem: 66M+ scans across 3,000+ stores in 60+ countries, trusted by 90+ top retailers; seamless developer integration and customer email results enhance engagement without friction[4][5][7].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Volumental rides the AI-driven personalization and FitTech wave in retail, where unreliable sizing causes $15B+ annual losses in footwear returns amid e-commerce growth and omnichannel demands[4]. Timing is ideal post-pandemic, as consumers demand seamless in-store experiences blending physical scans with online widgets, fueled by market forces like rising AI adoption in retail (e.g., predictive sizing) and big data for product design[2][5][6]. It influences the ecosystem by providing anonymized scan data to brands for better R&D, reducing waste, and setting standards for immersive shopping—partners like Fleet Feet use it for "Fit ID™" processes, while integrations with tools like Bold Metrics amplify AI sizing disruptions[5][6][8].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Volumental is poised for explosive growth as AI FitTech becomes table stakes in footwear, potentially doubling store footprints and scans with expansions into emerging markets and new categories like apparel. Trends like generative AI for virtual try-ons and sustainability-driven R&D (e.g., data-optimized designs cutting overproduction) will shape its path, evolving influence from scanner provider to full-stack retail intelligence platform. As global retail rebounds, Volumental's data moat—now 66M+ scans strong—positions it to redefine fit as a competitive edge, turning guesswork into precision for brands worldwide[4][7].