How Zoff is using Virtual Try On to boost eyewear sales—and what it means for your brand

In today’s digital-first world, eyewear shoppers expect more than just a catalog of frames—they want an experience. And for brands selling eyewear online, meeting those expectations is essential to staying competitive.

The good news? The technology to deliver that experience is already here. Virtual Try On solutions are transforming how customers shop for glasses, helping them confidently choose frames that fit their face and style—all from their phone or laptop.

One brand that’s leading the way is Zoff, a major Japanese eyewear retailer. Their success story offers practical insights for any eyewear company wondering how to boost eyewear sales in a highly visual, style-driven market.

The Challenge: Bridging the online gap for eyewear retailers

Zoff operates more than 200 physical stores across Japan and has built a strong reputation for quality, stylish, and affordable eyewear. But like many of today’s eyewear brands, Zoff faced a challenge that should sound familiar:

How do you give online shoppers the confidence to buy glasses without physically trying them on?

This question lies at the heart of digital eyewear retail. Unlike shoes or clothing, glasses must suit an individual’s facial features, proportions, and personal style. A flat product image simply isn’t enough.

Without the ability to try on frames virtually, many potential buyers abandon their cart or hesitate to purchase at all.

The Solution: Implementing Virtual Try On for eyewear

To overcome this challenge, Zoff introduced a virtual try on feature on their e-commerce site in 2024. Customers can use their smartphone or desktop camera to see how glasses look on their own face in real time—no apps, no downloads, no hassle.

This isn’t just about novelty. Zoff’s eyewear try on experience was designed to be accurate, fast, and engaging. It mirrors the in-store try-on moment, building confidence and encouraging purchases.

Core features of Zoff’s Virtual Try On:

•Accurate frame scaling and alignment – Powered by facial detection and PD measurement

•Integrated try on button – Easily accessible directly on product pages

•Coloured lens selector – Allows users to preview various lens tints

•Photochromic lens simulation – See lenses change with "light exposure"

•Staff styling-based frame switching – Try frames based on staff lookbooks or recommendations

• Three unique try-on modes:

          •Live Mode – Real-time virtual try on

          •Photo Mode – Upload a photo for frame preview

          •Video Record Mode – Record yourself wearing the frames

•Downloadable try-on snapshot – Includes frame price, model number, color, lens type, and tint

The Results: Real business impact for eyewear sales

The results from Zoff’s virtual try on launch were clear and measurable—and they offer a powerful roadmap for any eyewear brand selling online.

🔼 4x higher conversion rate

Zoff experienced a 4x increase in conversion rate among customers who used the eyewear try on feature compared to those who did not. This dramatic uplift highlights the power of visualization in the decision-making process. When shoppers can see how a pair of glasses looks on their own face—accurately scaled and aligned in real time—they feel more confident in their choices.

This level of confidence leads to faster, more assured purchases and fewer abandoned carts. For eyewear retailers, it’s clear: implementing a high-quality virtual try on tool doesn’t just enhance the customer experience—it directly drives sales performance.

📊 Returns held steady

One of the most interesting findings from Zoff’s implementation of virtual try on was an increase in conversion rate, while product returns remained unchanged. This outcome is better understood in light of Zoff’s historically low return rates, which left little room for noticeable improvement.

This tells us something important. While the virtual try on experience encouraged more customers to complete their purchase—likely because they felt more confident about how the frames would look on them—it didn’t lead to a noticeable change in product return behavior.

That might sound surprising, but it actually makes a lot of sense in Zoff’s case. Their return rates were already very low, meaning there wasn’t much room for improvement in the first place. So rather than reducing returns, the virtual try on acted more as a conversion accelerator—helping hesitant shoppers make faster, more confident buying decisions.

Download the full case study

Why eyewear brands need Virtual Try On 

Zoff’s results aren’t an outlier—they’re a clear signal that virtual try on is a must-have for modern eyewear retailers. If your brand isn’t offering it yet, here’s why now is the time to act:

1. Consumers expect it

Try-on technology has become mainstream. From beauty products to fashion, shoppers now expect to preview how items will look on them. An eyewear try on experience aligns with these expectations and meets them in a visually compelling way.

2. It reduces purchase anxiety

Buying glasses online is inherently risky for customers. Will they look good? Will they fit? Virtual try on removes these doubts and replaces them with confidence—and confident customers convert better.

3. It drives more sales

As Zoff proved, a virtual try on tool directly contributes to higher conversion rates. It encourages shoppers to move from “just browsing” to making a purchase. 

4. It creates shareable moments

Customers love to screenshot / download their try-on looks and share them with friends. That creates organic marketing moments that increase reach and engagement.

How to boost eyewear sales with Virtual Try On

If you’re wondering how to boost eyewear sales using technology like this, here are some practical steps based on what worked for Zoff—and what we help brands like yours implement every day:

✅ 1. Keep it simple

Your eyewear try on should be seamless. Customers should be able to click a button, activate their camera, and see themselves in a pair of frames instantly. Avoid requiring apps or sign-ins.

✅ 2. Place it front and center

Don’t bury the try-on feature in a submenu. Make it highly visible on every product page. The easier it is to access, the more it will be used—and the more conversions you’ll see.

✅ 3. Optimize the experience

Ensure the virtual try on renders frames to scale and aligns them properly to the user’s face. Poor accuracy kills trust. A high-quality experience builds loyalty.

✅ 4. Analyze and adapt

Track usage, conversions, and engagement with the try-on feature. This data can help you refine your product offerings and marketing strategies.

Download the full case study

Virtual Try On is the future of eyewear e-commerce & retail 

Zoff’s success proves what more and more eyewear retailers are discovering: when used wisely, virtual try on is a powerful sales engine.

If your eyewear brand sells online, offering a high-quality eyewear try on experience can directly improve your bottom line. It helps your customers feel more confident, more excited, and more willing to hit that “buy now” button.

At the same time, it positions your brand as forward-thinking and customer-focused—qualities that matter in today’s competitive market.

So if you’re ready to deliver better customer experiences, drive more conversions, and stand out from the competition, it’s time to bring virtual try on to your eyewear brand.

Ready to See It In Action?

We help eyewear retailers just like you integrate virtual try on technology that delivers real results. Want to learn more or see a demo? Contact us here.