Introduction to Augmented Reality
Scrolling through social media, it’s easy to see how widespread the usage of augmented reality (AR) has turn into. What once was considered to be a chunk of science fiction now allows teenagers, millennials and anyone else with a smartphone to try on glasses, shoes and make-up — or turn themselves (virtually) right into a cat. This technology has turn into an integral a part of our day by day lives, and its impact on the retail industry is important.
The Rise of AR in Retail
David Ripert, co-founder and CEO of Poplar Studio, notes that 75% of consumers expect retailers to supply some type of AR experience. “Retailers today, in the event that they need to be progressive and in the event that they need to attract consumers back to their stores, they’ve to point out that they adopt digital technologies as a part of that consumer journey,” he said. PYMNTS research has found that 55% of consumers are excited by trying latest connected shopping experiences, whether shopping via AR, using smart mirrors in stores or shopping via voice assistant.
Benefits of AR in Retail
Ripert said brands using Poplar Studio’s AR try-on feature saw conversion rates greater than double in addition to decreasing returns because consumers were in a position to determine whether, say, a refrigerator wouldn’t fit through the door or a television is perhaps too small for a selected wall. AR will also be utilized in-store to point out different variations of products without having to hold multiple models and take up precious stockroom space or to make shopping more interactive with scavenger hunts and virtual experiences.
The Future of AR
With Facebook and other firms also beginning to release smart glasses, Ripert said it’s only a matter of time before virtual overlays turn into commonplace, allowing firms to supply guidance to consumers as they roam store aisles or walk down the road. “It’s something retailers must experiment with now and begin to prepare for since it’s whoever starts first and builds these experiences that’s going to actually bring that latest generation of consumers into the shop,” he said.
Into the Metaverse
The rise of the metaverse, or immersive virtual worlds where people gather, work and socialize, also makes it crucial for retailers to adopt AR technology now in order to avoid getting left behind. “A brand must be able to deploy their products inside those environments,” Ripert said. “And immediately, certainly one of the obstacles is the supply of 3-D models, because brands have lived online in a 2-D format. … So that’s something that brands need to take a look at immediately.” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sees the metaverse as “the successor of the mobile web … and the following chapter of us as an organization.”
Making AR Accessible
To be certain, many retailers are still working through an accelerated move to eCommerce, let alone adopting the flexibility to make sales in a virtual world, and creating 3-D models of products could be difficult on a budget. However, some software developers have created mobile apps that help speed up the method and let brands create 3-D models on their very own, with firms like Poplar Studio stepping in at the tip to optimize the models and make them as realistic as possible. Poplar has a talent cloud of two,000 modelers and creators, Ripert said, which helps “really scale 3-D model production.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, augmented reality is revolutionizing the retail industry, and its impact will only proceed to grow as technology advances. With the rise of the metaverse and the increasing demand for AR experiences, retailers must adapt to remain ahead of the curve. By adopting AR technology and creating 3-D models of products, retailers can provide unique and interactive shopping experiences that can attract and retain customers. As Ripert said, “Consumers all want something that’s a bit unique to them,” and AR allows them to preview products in a virtual environment, making it a robust tool for retailers to supply exclusive and personalized experiences.
