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How Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing Brick-and-Mortar Retail

How Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing Brick-and-Mortar Retail

While physical retail has its perks, it is a challenge to beat the ease of shopping online.  Online search functions and one-click buying make spending money that much easier, and the ubiquity of wifi means that shopping can be done basically anywhere.  In order for brick-and-mortar stores to remain competitive, they need to develop programs that simplify in-store shopping. Here’s how some stores are using augmented reality (AR) to facilitate in-store retail:

In-store navigation

One of the biggest benefits of online retail is the ease with which consumers can find the product they’re looking for.  Search engines bring customers to online stores, while in-site search bars can bring brand-loyal customers to exactly the product they want.  Compared with the struggle of finding a single product in a big department store, or navigating the mess of a poorly-organized shop, online retail will always win.  That’s why some stores have introduced in-store navigation technology to help lead customers to their desired product. Take homewares giant Lowe’s, for example. Lowe’s recently introduced an in-store navigation app that uses AR and motion tracking technology to direct customers to a specific product, much like a small-scale GPS.

Sampling Products

Anyone who’s seen the 1995 teen flick Clueless envies Cher’s AR closet; she selects her clothes, which are then applied paper-doll-style to a photo of her body to try on without the hassle of finding clothes only to reject an outfit that doesn’t quite work.  That seemingly dream-like tech is now becoming a reality, as stores have begun incorporating AR tech (far more advanced than Cher’s 1995 version) that allows customers to see products on without the mess of a dressing room or tester makeup.  Coty, a global beauty company, has developed an AR “magic mirror” that lets makeup shoppers preview how products will match their coloring or facial features. A customer can simply lift a lipstick, for example, and the mirror will show their face superimposed with that lipstick.  A risk-free, mess-free product trail that renders the need for discarded testers null!

Personalized Products

In-store tech allows shoppers to design their ideal product, increasing brand loyalty and sales.  Personalized products not only give customers a sense of control over their purchases, but also a sense of commitment–if a customer has dedicated time to designing the perfect t-shirt, they’re less likely to leave it at the store.  That’s why some marketers think personalization is the key to maintaining customer loyalty, and stores are listening. While online personalization is increasingly common, where brands like Adidas let customers design the perfect shoe to ship home, Kate Spade has been at the forefront of in-store innovation as they’ve developed an AR bag personalization station.  Their “Make It Mine” line features an AR display that detects which handbag a customer is interested in, displays it on a touch-screen, and allows the customer to design choosing their own colors, straps, and other accessories. The display has been extremely popular, seeing over 100 customers a day.

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AI in Action: 5 Retail Brands Elevating Brick-and-Mortar Experiences

AI in Action: 5 Retail Brands Elevating Brick-and-Mortar Experiences

April 24, 2024

Today, brick-and-mortar retailers face the challenge of staying relevant and competitive to consumers. Many forward-thinking brands are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the traditional…

Today, brick-and-mortar retailers face the challenge of staying relevant and competitive to consumers. Many forward-thinking brands are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the traditional in-store shopping experience. From enhancing customer service to optimizing inventory management, AI is revolutionizing brick-and-mortar retail in exciting ways. Here are five retail brands at the forefront of this AI-driven revolution: Walmart: As one of the world's largest retailers, Walmart has been an early adopter of AI technologies to enhance its brick-and-mortar operations. One notable application of AI at Walmart is its use of autonomous robots for inventory management. These robots roam store aisles, scanning…

Metaverse or Metahype?

Metaverse or Meta-hype? The Reality Future Lab Project X(R) team weighs in.

April 6, 2023

It seems everyone these days is imagining exploring a realm where shopping meets science fiction - the "metaverse". A world where commerce is not limited…

It seems everyone these days is imagining exploring a realm where shopping meets science fiction - the "metaverse". A world where commerce is not limited to the physical but expands into a futuristic digital universe and back again. The reality is experiences like these are nothing new. Digital explorers and pioneers have been embarking on journeys that explore the possibilities of this concept, which bends the minds of mere mortals, for decades.   We recently discussed this topic with the brilliant minds of the Future Lab XR team within Reality Interactive, who are pushing the boundaries of technology through their Project…

“Consumers seek frictionless experiences in a world of disruptions”.

“Consumers seek frictionless experiences in a world of disruptions”

February 27, 2023

PwC recently published the findings of their latest Global Consumer Insights Pulse Survey, which was conducted in December 2022 among 9,180 consumers across 25 territories. …

PwC recently published the findings of their latest Global Consumer Insights Pulse Survey, which was conducted in December 2022 among 9,180 consumers across 25 territories.  The overarching message? While consumers are still concerned about inflation, they’re keen to return to their pre-pandemic lifestyle, and they have rising expectations on how and where they should be able to shop.  Below we summarize some key findings from the survey:  How behavior will change over the next 6 month:  96% of consumers intend to adopt some type of cost saving behavior over the next 6 months:  43% of consumers said they plan to…

3 challenges facing retailers today

3 Challenges Facing Retailers Today, and the Strategies Helping to Overcome Them

January 26, 2023

Retailers have always faced continuous challenges of increasing sales, maintaining brand loyalty, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Today specific challenges outside of their control…

Retailers have always faced continuous challenges of increasing sales, maintaining brand loyalty, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Today specific challenges outside of their control have forced retailers to get more creative and explore new options to win at the retail game.  Here, we explore just three of those challenges, and some of the strategies that retailers are utilizing to face them.  Staffing shortages = more self service technology in-store.  Whether it’s hiring or retention, the volume has been turned up on the staffing challenges retailers face, especially for temporary seasonal holiday workers. Warehouse jobs are posing competition to retailers…

5 perspectives to inspire you for 2023

5 perspectives to inspire you for 2023!

December 29, 2022

With 2023 around the corner, we take a moment to get inspired by leaders who are daring to innovate, creating great experiences, and leading the…

With 2023 around the corner, we take a moment to get inspired by leaders who are daring to innovate, creating great experiences, and leading the way.  On Planning Backwards: “By thinking five to 10 years out and then “playing the movie backward,” you free yourself from the constraints of what is possible now. You can envision year 10 and then figure out what has to happen in year nine, year eight, and so on for the vision to become reality.” Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna On earning your customer’s trust: “Our brands—Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand and Hurley—are loved by customers all…

The Future of Retail in 2023

The Future of Retail – What to Watch for in 2023

November 30, 2022

With the end of year fast approaching, we take a look at what industry experts are projecting for retail trends next year.  Let’s get Phygital:…

With the end of year fast approaching, we take a look at what industry experts are projecting for retail trends next year.  Let’s get Phygital: Get used to hearing this catch phrase - coined to capture the idea of seamlessly integrating a physical and digital customer journey. If you are familiar with Reality, you have heard us mention the much more appropriate Customer Driven Retail. With customer loyalty up for grabs (a third of customers reporting to be willing to leave a brand after just one bad experience), retailers are working on meeting customers where they are, and giving them…

3 ways technology will play a part in helping engage consumers this holiday season

3 ways technology will play a part in helping engage consumers this holiday season

October 28, 2022

If the research is right, retailers should anticipate this holiday season to start earlier and be bigger than the last. In fact, Deloitte’s annual holiday…

If the research is right, retailers should anticipate this holiday season to start earlier and be bigger than the last. In fact, Deloitte’s annual holiday retail forecast predicts holiday sales will increase by 4-6% this year - with 70% of consumers starting shopping before Thanksgiving.  As a critical time for retailers, many brands are exploring new models and technologies to both reach new customers, and harness a whole new level of engagement with existing ones. From Virtual Parties and introducing digital assets into their retail mix, to metaverse type AR Experiences and events, we explore what brands are considering this…

Have you merged your ecommerce, brand, and retail marketing teams yet?

Brick and Mortar is Dead

August 30, 2022

Ok, now that I have provided a much-needed jolt to get your attention I will clarify what I mean with this dangerously bold, trope of…

Ok, now that I have provided a much-needed jolt to get your attention I will clarify what I mean with this dangerously bold, trope of a statement. Physical retail is far from dead. If approached effectively with powerful digital solutions, physical retail can be massively impactful for brands who rethink the way they do things, and how they engage with customers. But the term ‘Brick and Mortar’ is more outdated than an 8-track. Bricks and mortar are used to build walls, but customers want their purchase journey to be one seamless experience, whether that be physical, digital or both. We…

How Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing Brick-and-Mortar Retail

While physical retail has its perks, it is a challenge to beat the ease of shopping online.  Online search functions and one-click buying make spending money that much easier, and the ubiquity of wifi means that shopping can be done basically anywhere.  In order for brick-and-mortar stores to remain competitive, they need to develop programs that simplify in-store shopping. Here’s how some stores are using augmented reality (AR) to facilitate in-store retail: In-store navigation One of the biggest benefits of online retail is the ease with which consumers can find the product they’re looking for.  Search engines bring customers to online stores, while in-site search bars can bring brand-loyal customers to exactly the product they want.  Compared with the struggle

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