The Rise of Extended Reality in eCommerce: How AR and VR are Transforming the Shopping Experience

Consumers Embrace Extended Reality for Immersive Shopping Experiences

As consumers continue to seek more engaging and personalized eCommerce journeys, the adoption of extended reality (XR) technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is on the rise. Companies like Perfect Corp., a leader in providing AR try-on options for the beauty and fashion industries, are seeing a significant increase in consumer demand.

In its most recent quarterly earnings report, Perfect Corp. reported a 17.7% year-over-year revenue growth, highlighting the growing interest in XR technologies among consumers. According to Alice Chang, the company’s founder and CEO, consumers are increasingly looking for personalized and diverse experiences from mobile apps.

Major retailers are also recognizing the potential of AR and VR in enhancing the shopping experience. Walmart and Amazon are expanding their virtual try-on capabilities, allowing customers to visualize products before making a purchase. The recent launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset has brought a new wave of eCommerce experiences, with retailers like Lowe’s and J. Crew leveraging VR tools to improve the shopping journey.

Research from PYMNTS Intelligence shows that a significant number of consumers are interested in using XR technologies for shopping. The ability to see how items look in their space before buying them or to virtually try on products from physical stores is appealing to many shoppers.

One of the key advantages of XR technologies in eCommerce is their ability to provide a deeper understanding of products compared to traditional images or descriptions. Virtual try-on experiences can help reduce returns by allowing customers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

Moreover, immersive shopping experiences can create a stronger emotional connection between consumers and brands. By enabling customers to interact with products in a more meaningful way, retailers can evoke positive emotions like excitement and satisfaction, leading to increased brand loyalty.

Overall, the growing interest in XR technologies for shopping highlights the importance of providing immersive and personalized experiences to meet the evolving needs of consumers in the digital age.