What do you need to decide first?
Four things: who does the fitting, where it happens, which price point you aim for and under which brand. Professional fitting suits clinics, sleep specialists and specialty retail. Our own brand in this channel, Pillowise®, sits in the high segment. A fitting is a conversation, so it needs staff time. Plan for that.
What does a fitting set-up include?
| Element | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| Size range | Every measurement result leads to a defined pillow size. |
| Fitting tools | Staff take the three measurements the same way every time. |
| Training | Your team learns the method before the first customer. |
| POS materials | Customers understand why a fitting beats choosing off the shelf. |
All of it is delivered white label, in your design, packaging and language.
How does a fitting work in practice?
- Measure. Your trained professional takes three body measurements.
- Determine the size. The result gives the size on the spot.
- Advise. You explain the choice and match the customer to the right pillow in your range.
For the concept behind this, read what a custom fit pillow is. This page is about running it in your business.
Why does the professional network matter?
The method was developed with a physiotherapist and has been in use since 2013. That year we launched Pillowise, the first pillow with a size based on three body measurements. Today more than 5,000 professionals in more than 50 countries recommend and fit our pillows. When we develop your pillow, we run fit tests in that network before production starts.
Is professional fitting right for every business?
No. It asks for trained staff and a physical point of contact. If you sell mainly online, the PillowScan™ mobile scan fits better. It scans shoulders, neck and head in about 30 seconds. Concepts can also be combined, for example fitting in your stores and a scan online.
How do you get started?
One partner takes you from concept to delivery. The steps are concept, design, development with prototypes and fit tests, production in our own factory in Zevenbergen, and delivery. The minimum order for private label is 2,500 pillows. You can visit the factory by appointment.
So, should you offer pillow fitting?
If you have professionals who advise customers face to face, yes. We think it gives you a category you can own. If you have no staff time for it, start with another fitting method instead.
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist, co-founder of UCI