evo Drives $3M in Incremental Sales Growth with alby’s AI Shopping Agent
evo started in the early 2000s as a small online retailer for used ski gear, founded by former professional skier Bryce Phillips. What started as a passion project for outdoor enthusiasts quickly grew into a thriving business driven by a mission to connect people with their next great adventure.
Today, it’s a major player in the outdoor and sporting goods retail space, offering gear for skiing, snowboarding, cycling, and more. With more than $100 million in annual online sales and a reputation for trusted expertise, evo has become a go-to destination for adventurers nationwide.
The challenge: Simplifying the path to purchase for technical outdoor gear
A first-time skier searches for the right ski length. A seasoned biker wants to know if a dropper post will fit their frame. A hiker wonders which waterproof jacket can handle heavy rain on the Appalachian Trial.
When it comes to outdoor gear, these are everyday considerations. And evo shoppers need them answered quickly and accurately.
With tens of thousands of products across categories like skiing, cycling, and climbing, evo’s team was flooded with questions that required in-depth, technical responses. Each unanswered or delayed response risked losing a sale to confusion or competitors.
Static product descriptions and FAQ pages weren’t flexible enough to keep shoppers moving toward purchase. And chatbots couldn’t deliver the personalized recommendations that shoppers need to make confident buying decisions.
Customers were getting stuck in their search, delaying purchases — or worse, leaving for competitors. evo needed a scalable solution to meet growing customer demands, simplify the buying process, and provide the personalized expertise their shoppers expect.
The solution: instant, expert guidance for every shopper
Instead of relying on standard customer service channels — which created bottlenecks and forced customers to search on their own — evo introduced alby’s AI shopping agent, which Bluecore acquired in November 2024. Putting the AI shopping agent directly on product pages allowed shoppers to get instant, context-rich answers without having to dig through specs, filter through customer reviews, or wait for a response from support.
With alby seamlessly embedded in the shopping experience, evo customers could:
- Start with suggestions. Rather than typing out long questions in a chatbot, shoppers could simply click on guided prompts tailored to their needs, making the experience intuitive and frustration-free.
- Get instant, expert answers. Whether it was sizing, compatibility, or performance details, shoppers received fast, accurate responses without digging through product pages or waiting for support.
- Move from research to purchase effortlessly. Instead of bouncing between tabs or searching for answers elsewhere, they could get the details they needed right on the product page, helping them buy with confidence.
This approach created a frictionless, high-touch shopping experience that mirrored the expertise of an in-store associate — without adding operational strain.
Why evo chose alby’s AI shopping agent
The leadership team at evo envisioned a seamless, high-touch shopping experience — one where customers could get expert advice instantly. To turn this vision into reality, they needed a partner who understood the complexities of selling outdoor gear and a solution that could scale effortlessly without burdening their team.
Here’s why they chose alby:
alby was designed to answer complex, technical questions
“What’s the right pair of skis for a 6’2” skier?”
Outdoor shoppers don’t glance at product pages. They browse with specific needs and technical questions about fit, performance, and compatibility. And these complex details make or break the sale.
During the pilot phase, alby proved it could handle high-stakes inquiries with speed and accuracy. By pulling from evo’s product catalog, size charts, buying guides, and customer Q&A, alby provided real-time, expert-level responses tailored to each shopper’s needs.
Instead of forcing customers to dig through product descriptions or wait for support, alby guided them instantly. This removed friction from the buying process and converted hesitant browsers into confident buyers.
alby was easy to implement, easy to scale
For any retailer, the big question with new technology is: How quickly can we get it up and running?
evo needed a solution that could start delivering value quickly — without heavy engineering lift or ongoing maintenance. With alby, implementation was simple. There was no need for custom builds or backend overhauls, allowing evo to get up and running quickly while focusing on what mattered most: helping customers find the right gear.
alby was built for ecommerce success
alby’s analytics dashboard gave evo a real-time view into what customers were asking, which product details mattered most, and where potential buyers were getting stuck.
Armed with this data, evo’s leadership team could make smarter, data-driven decisions. They optimized product pages and personalized content based on alby’s feedback, removing obstacles in the path to purchase.
By combining AI-driven engagement with data-backed decision-making, evo enhanced its e-commerce experience and increased conversions.
The results: More sales, smoother shopping, and happier customers
alby’s AI shopping agent didn’t just improve the shopping experience — it drove bottom-line results for evo. By providing instant, expert-level answers right on product pages, alby helped customers move through their buying journey with confidence, leading to measurable gains.
Results included:
- $3M in incremental revenue. By removing friction from the buying process and keeping shoppers engaged, evo unlocked millions in additional sales.
- Higher engagement, higher conversion. Shoppers who interacted with alby were more likely to complete their purchase, driving a noticeable lift in conversion rates.
- 85% customer satisfaction. Shoppers valued the ability to get quick, reliable answers without searching through product descriptions or waiting on support.
With alby, the evo team made expert guidance available 24/7 and freed up internal resources to focus on strategic initiatives.
