- Phia is an AI-powered personal shopping assistant that allows people to find items at the best prices but also shop more sustainably.
- It was developed as a way to make online shopping easier and more personalised, without the price tag that comes with a personal shopper.
- The company was founded by Phoebe Gates (daughter of Bill Gates) and climate activist Sophia Kianni.
Website: phia.com
What Is Phia?
Phia is an AI-shopping startup co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni.
The company positions itself as ‘your personal fashion headquarters’, allowing users to find, compare and shop across 40,000+ online fashion retailers. One of its main USPs is that it not only helps users find new clothes, but used ones too, helping people find cheaper and more sustainable ways to shop. Think of it like an AI-personal shopper, helping you get the most personalised, best price items, all from your phone.
The company has quickly become a big player in the fashion tech space, drawing in $30 million in funding with a $180 million valuation just months after launch. And with big names like Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner and Sheryl Sandberg behind it, it’s certainly making a splash.
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What Makes Phia Unique?
Phia is unique because it has been designed to be more than just another shopping app.
It’s an AI-powered app designed to help people combat the frustrating and time-consuming problem of shopping online. At the moment, multiple tabs, slow loading and a lack of reliable comparison tools make online shopping fragmented for the consumer. Phia is setting out to change this by combining smart AI personalisation with sustainability.
Not only does it compare prices across thousands of shops online, it also finds second-hand or sustainable alternatives, helping shoppers make more eco-friendly choices. Not only that, it also tracks price drops and even gives users data on re-sale value, encouraging them to resell when they are ready.
All in all, Phia works by helping people save time, money and the planet.
Is There A Market For AI Fashion Assistants?
There definitely is, and it’s growing. Online shopping is definitely booming, but so are frustrations around how it works. A survey on TrendWatching revealed that 74% of shoppers have walked away from purchases because they have felt overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, a report by Threadup revealed that the global second-hand clothing market will continue to grow, reaching as much as $350 billion by 2028.
This intersection is exactly where Phia sits. Its AI-powered assistant gives users a faster and less overwhelming experience, whilst also providing personalised recommendations.
It’s also riding the sustainability wave, encouraging shoppers to buy pre-loved items, extending their live by an average of 2.2 years and cutting their environmental footprint by 73%.
For brands, it offers better and more targeted visibility. For shoppers, it helps them find what they need for a better price and with less waste. And with over 800,000 users already, it seems that Phia really is exactly what people have been looking for.
Where Can You Find Phia?
You can find Phia through the mobile app or on chrome through their website.
