Shopsense Retail Technology, the Mumbai-based startup behind fashion shopping app Fynd, has launched a shopping bot named Fify, which would be working as a personal virtual shopping assistant.
The company hopes Fify would contribute 25 percent of its revenue within the next three months. It is now in the beta phase and Shopsense claims it has seen over 50,000 conversations since its launch on Facebook Messenger a week ago.
Ronak Modi , the product manager at Gofynd.com , said, “Right now phase one is operational, where product discovery is possible through Fify. Users can converse with her and learn about different products. We are training her internally and updating her with information through our fashion blog The Closet.”
Eventually, the bot will help as a personal virtual shopping assistant, provide insights on trends, guidance on celebrity styles and alert users about new product arrivals. According to the company, Fify would ideally be productive involving product discovery, transaction, fulfilment and then post-transaction interaction.
“End users can have one point connect with different brands, receiving updates through conversations with the bot that will eventually grow to understand their style based on their online behaviour. Eventually, the bot will be able to predict what they are likely to buy,” added Modi.
Modi also stated that Facebook might open up a platform where people can purchase directly through Facebook Messenger. “That could change the way we interact with bots.”
By June end, the startup is expected to see over 100,000 conversations taking place with Fify. The company is also aiming for close partnerships with e-commerce sites and popular brands.
