Study Finds Consumers Highly Receptive to Brands Using AR for Sustainability Initiatives

Snap, Inc. and Alter Agents have teamed up to release groundbreaking research on the value of augmented reality (AR) in driving sustainability efforts. The study, which surveyed 7,500 AR users across five countries, revealed that consumers are highly receptive to brands utilizing AR to support sustainability initiatives.

According to Alexander Dao, global head of agency development & sales partnerships at Snap, “Over 300 million Snapchatters engage with AR every day on average, and we know that widespread usage of AR has grown to nearly 75 per cent of the global population. With this in mind, brands need to understand its potential.” The study found that AR experiences can positively impact the environment and overall brand profitability.

Key findings from the research include:

– 80% of consumers feel more confident in their purchases as a result of using AR.
– 69% believe that AR is the future of shopping.
– 93% of consumers have either maintained or increased their purchases of sustainable products over the past year.
– AR experiences that positively impact sustainability increase consumer confidence in purchases, with 84% more likely to make a purchase, 71% less likely to ask for a refund, and 69% willing to pay more.
– AR can power up to a 46% reduction in carbon emissions when online shopping.

Consumers are drawn to AR’s potential to streamline their shopping experiences and contribute to sustainability through features like virtual try-on before purchase. The study also revealed that consumers see the sustainability benefits of AR even more than the technology or accessibility benefits.

Overall, the research highlights the significant impact that augmented reality can have on reshaping approaches to sustainability and profitability. Brands have an opportunity to lead with innovation and integrity by incorporating AR into their sustainability initiatives.