I currently work at an e-commerce company and there has been a ton of debate around how "algorithmically driven" Stitch Fix actually is. The general feel in the space from non-technologists is that computers cannot do this job well now and won't be able to do it well in the near future. Stitch Fix makes it a major brand point that computers are an important part of the process. So the real question is - are they making this point because it's true or because it helps their valuation (tech co. 5-10x multiples instead of ecomm 1-4x multiples).
The way Stitch Fix talks about it in their S-1 makes it seem like the latter is the priority. I'm not yet convinced that the practical value driven by algorithms at Stitch Fix is up to par with how much they talk about it.
I was interested in growth to understand both their growth rate but also to get a feel if it was driven by increasing user acquisition costs like Groupon, Blue Apron, etc or if it was organic.
The way Stitch Fix talks about it in their S-1 makes it seem like the latter is the priority. I'm not yet convinced that the practical value driven by algorithms at Stitch Fix is up to par with how much they talk about it.
I was interested in growth to understand both their growth rate but also to get a feel if it was driven by increasing user acquisition costs like Groupon, Blue Apron, etc or if it was organic.