Meet Jordan.
She’s up at 6 for a HIIT class, takes Zoom calls in a premium sweatset, and logs 12,000 steps while closing deals from her phone. She doesn’t separate fitness from life. She wears her wellness.
A year ago, she was okay with filters and scrolls. Today? She expects instant visual discovery, personalized styling, and proof that the brand gets her values.
If you can’t deliver that, she’s out.
That’s where Syte comes in.
Why Experience Now Matters More Than Product
This isn’t a wellness trend. It’s a cultural reset.
According to McKinsey, in 2025 exercise has evolved from a casual habit into “a linchpin of health regimens and a defining element of personal identity.” That’s the difference now.
Wellness isn’t aspirational. It’s foundational.
And for brands, that means you’re not just selling activewear—you’re selling belonging, belief, and alignment with how people live.
Jordan doesn’t want leggings. She wants confidence, routine, clarity—and she expects the journey to checkout to feel as intuitive as her morning workout.
Why 2024’s Features Don’t Cut It in 2025
Shoppers like Jordan don’t search like they used to. They expect a curated, smart experience. They want:
- To upload a photo and find the match
- Products that reflect their aesthetic with styling that fits their lifestyle
- To see what’s in stock in their size, and what goes with it—ASAP
This shift isn’t temporary—it’s structural. And it’s widening the gap between brands that adapt and those that disappear from relevance.
What Today’s Shopper Expects: The New Table Stakes
Here’s what’s not optional anymore.
- AI-Powered Text & Visual Search – Natural language + image input = frictionless findability
- Smart Merchandising – Auto-tagging, dynamic bundles, and intelligent PDPs.
- Hyper-Personalization – Real-time styling that feels 1:1.
- Style Discovery Tools – “Shop the look” is now basic.
- Live Inventory Feedback – No dead ends. Always an option.
- Mobile-First UX – Lag = loss. Optimize like your life depends on it.
- Inclusive Styling and Sizing – Representation isn’t a campaign—it’s core.
- Omnichannel Loyalty – Recognize your customer everywhere.
- Sustainability Signals – Show your work, not just your words.
- Embedded Wellness Content – Be the guide, not just the gear.
The New Playbook for Growth
McKinsey’s latest research is clear: the brands grabbing market share aren’t playing defense. They’re crafting sharp value props, using visible innovation, and building emotional connections through cultural relevance.
That’s exactly where Syte helps. It’s a platform for differentiation.
- It sharpens your value by turning product discovery into an emotional journey.
- It’s innovation your customers feel immediately.
- It supports the kind of storytelling and personalization that wins in culture, not just commerce.
See How It Works for One Syte Partner
But don’t take our word for it. Ask Hibbett, a leader in omnichannel athletic apparel with 1,100+ stores in the US. Hibbett partnered with Syte to rise to the supply chain challenges — namely out-of-stocks and non-replenishable inventory — posed by global instability in the post-pandemic world. Syte’s AI-powered Similar Item Recommendations and Visual Discovery Solutions were top of mind, and the results are clear.
Hibbett Results with Syte
Engaged users showed:
- 2.4X higher conversion rates
- 162% uplift in average revenue per user
- 9.1% increase in average order value
“By collecting customer data through A/B tests, we determined there was a very positive sales lift as a result of adding Syte to the website. Subsequently, we added it to our app, and everyone is really happy with how it is working.”
—Bill Quinn, SVP of Marketing and Digital at Hibbett
According to McKinsey, 84% of sporting goods executives are concerned about the impact of global instability on business. And with discretionary spending under pressure, brands need to do more with every visit, every scroll, every product view.
This isn’t the moment to hope your filters are enough. It’s the moment to connect—instantly and emotionally.
Syte’s AI helps brands like Hibbett do exactly that. See the full case study for more on the partnership.
Athletic Brands Are on the Frontline of Lifestyle—and It’s Time to Own It
This is more than a tech shift. It’s a category shift. You’re not in “apparel.” You’re in lifestyle, culture, and identity.
And your customers? They’re looking for brands that reflect who they are becoming.
Syte doesn’t just improve search or styling. It rewires discovery for the AI-first shopper. It’s fast, visual, personal—and proven.
Hibbett’s results? Remarkable.
Across our partners? Typical.
Want to lead while others react? Schedule a call with a Syte product discovery expert today.