Introduction to the Future of Shopping
The shopping experience has long been stricken by irritants corresponding to poorly lit dressing rooms, lack of knowledge, and pushy salespeople. However, with the arrival of digital and mobile technologies, these issues are slowly being addressed. The rise of digital signage and the mobile revolution have laid the groundwork for the subsequent big thing: augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These technologies are set to remodel the shopping experience, replacing pain points with charming, interactive experiences that inform and entertain.
The Market for AR and VR in Retail
Goldman Sachs forecasts that the marketplace for AR and VR in retail will reach $1.6 billion by 2025. VR is proving to be an ideal fit to be used cases where retailers need to put consumers into a very latest environment, corresponding to behind the wheel of a automotive. On the opposite hand, AR layers images over the buyer’s immediate surroundings, corresponding to projecting a brand new outfit onto a picture of the patron standing in the shop. Retailers are also investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a more engaging encounter with the brand.
How AR and VR Improve Shopper Experience
AR and VR are getting used to beat the effort factor of shopping. For example, automotive buyers can use VR to explore the cockpit or take a virtual test drive, eliminating the necessity to visit multiple dealerships. This technology may help consumers see products in context, corresponding to previewing how a couch would look of their front room. Additionally, AR and VR may be used to create virtual fitting rooms, allowing consumers to try on clothing virtually and avoiding the necessity for poorly lit and uncomfortable physical fitting rooms.
Creating Virtual Encounters
VR can bridge the gap between the need for private service and the unwillingness to go to a store. For instance, automotive buyers can use VR to explore the features of a automotive and get a knowledgeable person to speak them through the features, all from the comfort of their very own home.
Testing or Trying on Merchandise
AR and VR may also help consumers see products in context, corresponding to previewing how a chunk of furniture would look of their home. Timberland has unveiled a virtual fitting room using Kinect and digital signage technology, allowing passersby to virtually try on clothing using hand gestures.
Virtual Browsing
Online stores may be well-organized but lack the immersive experience of physical stores. VR-generated stores can allow customers to virtually browse the shop and buy items they find, all from the comfort of their very own home.
Designing Custom Goods
Creating a custom order used to take a variety of time and depend on the shopper’s imagination. AR and VR can produce virtual versions of the specified product, allowing customers to design and customize their very own products. Nike’s Makers’ Experience combines AR, object tracking, and projection technology to enable customers to design their very own customized sneakers.
Offering Product Info in Context
Lists of specs and features may be dry and mind-numbing. When such information is delivered in context, it makes an even bigger impression. For instance, Starbucks is leveraging AR to mix the experiences of shopping in-store and online, allowing customers to point their smartphones at a chunk of apparatus to see how coffee is processed.
The Future of AR and VR in Retail
The way forward for AR and VR in retail seems to interrupt down into two major use categories. AR lends itself well to consumer applications, corresponding to answering questions on how a product will look of their home or on them. VR, then again, is finding a house in business uses, corresponding to store design, shelf assortment, and layout. Consumers are enthusiastic about shopping’s tech-enabled future, with 38% hoping to see improved experiences in stores, 35% wanting improved customer support, and 35% looking for improved ways to seek out and compare different products.
Conclusion
AR and VR in retail hold promise to create the differentiated brand experiences that drive conversions, repeat visits, and better revenue. With their ability to exchange the parts shoppers dislike about shopping with a more immersive, interactive, and information-fueled experience, these technologies are set to remodel the shopping experience. As retailers proceed to take a position in AR, VR, AI, and IoT, we are able to expect to see a more engaging and personalized shopping experience that meets the needs and expectations of consumers.
