A leading United States researcher, who went to Auckland University of Technology to address a digital strategies conference, says that the apparel industry is probably looking for 3-D body scanners to help puzzled buyers choose clothing.

Kerry King, Product Development Manager at the Textile and Clothing Technology Corporation (TC2), a United States industry-funded research institute, says that scanners costs have lowered to the point where the technology is within contact of individual merchants.

Victoria's Secret and menswear store, Brooks Brothers are amongst those who have spent on body scanners in some of their stores.

Ms. King says, "The technology can be used for custom garment fit scenarios, where you get body-scanned and you obtain a person's measurements that are used to drive the building of a custom pattern".

She says that scanners can also be utilized to make it more convenient for public to buy clothes online.

She added that the technology can be used to drive the age group of a 3-D avatar, which signifies an individual that might be used for virtual buying.

3-D scanning might not essentially result in more personalized clothing. Ms. King says that apparel makers can also make use of scanners for research, to verify the usual body shapes of their target markets to help make sure "one size fits all".