The Future of AR Shopping for Upcoming Designers
As Amazon and Snapchat announce their partnership to bring to bring new Virtual Try-On (VTO) experiences to Snapchat users, it is quite evident that AR shopping is a trend that is sent to continue into the future and become even bigger than it is today. But what does this mean for you as an eCommerce retailer or an upcoming fashion designer? How can you create an unforgettable AR experience for your customers? How will you choose your eCommerce platform based on your needs? And finally, what role will AR play in the future of shopping?
What are the current methods for Virtual Try-On experiences?
If you’re not familiar with the term ‘Virtual Try-On’ (VTO), it’s a form of augmented reality that allows users to virtually try on clothing. VTO experiences are created using various technologies, such as virtual reality headsets, photogrammetry and 3D scanning. The technology enables brands to show how their products will look from all angles and in different lighting conditions without needing to ship out samples or make physical changes to the product.
While VR lets consumers experience how an item looks from different angles, AR allows them to see themselves wearing the item before making a purchase decision. Through the Amazon x Snapchat partnership, the 363million Snapchat users will be able to try various eyewear brands which is the first shopping category to be rolled out of the partnership
How can you create a memorable AR shopping experience?
Have you ever been to an AR store? If you haven’t, be afraid. Be very afraid. When I walk into one of these places, I feel like I’m going to be swallowed up by the floor and never seen again. It’s not a pleasant experience—and it can be downright scary if you don’t know what you’re doing or where everything is in the store.
There are four ways that you can create a memorable, unique shopping experience for your customers:
Create an educational experience
Create an interactive experience
Create an immersive experience
Create fun experiences
How can you choose your eCommerce platform based on your needs?
There are many variables that go into choosing an eCommerce platform. You need to take into account the scope of your business, how much you want to invest, and what kind of support you will be able to receive.
Fortunately, there are many platforms that offer all of these features at varying price points. Just remember: it’s always better to choose a platform with features you’re sure will work for your brand than one that’s more expensive or difficult to use but has more bells and whistles.
What role will AR play in the future of shopping?
When you think of the future of shopping, how does your mind conjure up images? You might see a futuristic cityscape with people walking through holographic billboards that are so slick you want to reach out and touch them. Or maybe your mind wanders to people seated in sleek AR pods, where they’re wearing headsets and buying products from their favourite brands with the wave of a hand.
In reality, it’s likely somewhere in between these two scenarios. We’re already moving towards an augmented reality (AR) world where virtual objects are overlaid on real-life environments—and retailers have been quick to jump on this trend by incorporating AR elements into their mobile apps and websites. Put it this way, the AR technology market was worth about £14 billion in 2018 and now it’s expected to reach £142 billion this year. But while most companies have focused on building out their own tools for creating such experiences, they often overlook one key component: community building.
It’s important to create an Ar experience that is right for your brand.
It’s important to create an AR experience that is right for your brand, and we’re here to help! The first step is picking out a platform that fits your needs. Take into account the following:
The ease of use for staff and customers
The security of customer data
Whether or not it can scale with you as your business grows
As AR continues to grow in popularity, it’s important for brands, especially independent brands, to understand how they can use this technology to their advantage. The future of AR shopping is bright!
