Retail

AR/VR in Retail

AR & VR are now becoming more of a reality in retail, as forward-thinking retail brands are incorporating AR technology into the customer experience, both in-store and online.

Retailers are extremely smart to adopt this technology: Almost 70% of consumers expect retailers to launch an AR app within the next six months in 2019.  However, there are many retail brands at the forefront of harnessing the power of AR and how it can enhance the brand experience. To help inspire you, we’re highlighting a variety of retailers using AR to empower their customers, create a more interactive shopping experience, and help their products stand out.

Enhancing the In-Store Experience

Retailers across a number of industries have integrated AR technology into the in-store experience. It’s a smart move, especially considering 61% of consumers prefer stores that offer AR experiences — and 40% of them would pay more for your product if they have the chance to experience it through AR.

Examples of Virtual Reality in Retail:

In the future, experts predict to see more virtual experiences such as ‘holidays’, ‘weddings’ or ‘test drives’ to promote services and products. Fashion and Automotive are two categories where virtual reality quickly caught on.

Retail Malls in the US use headsets to showcase the latest fashion collection to customers.  One of the most exciting recent examples was provided by outdoor apparel company North Face. Using virtual reality technology, they transported customers to Yosemite National Park as they were shopping at the stores. They used footage shot with 360 degree, stereoscopic 3D cameras. The company claimed that it was a great way to enhance their storytelling around a life of endless exploration.

Another great example:  Automotive company Lexus used Oculus Rift glasses to let people take a virtual test drive of their new models, in a much more ‘realistic’ way than a regular driving simulator.