Online shopping and ecommerce are here to stay and will continue to evolve rapidly. Many leaders in the data analytics industry believe that Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) will revolutionize the ecommerce experience for customers. Let us dive in to see what that would look like!

Home improvement… turned up a notch!

Risk is relative, as with anything else. A customer does not assume the same amount of risk when ordering a pair of pants, as he does when he orders 20 gallons of paint for his home. Without the ability to see the paint in person many individuals might hesitate to gamble with their household aesthetics. VR devices are here to change that.

Lowes is a brilliant example of a company that has already begun to champion this technology. Through the employment of their ‘Lowes Holoroom,’ they’ve been able to offer the customers the ability to access virtual showrooms (Toptal). This tool is designed to help customers imagine their home improvement ambitions in a more impactful way, and make them spatially aware of how their ideas fit together (Toptal). It’s the home design network on a whole new level.

Try before you buy from your couch

AR capabilities will allow customers to see what they look like in the garments and items of their choosing (Toptal). Unlike VR — that places you in a reality with a limited number of built-out virtual elements, AR allows more options for ‘overlay’ (Toptal). Essentially, AR will offer an enhanced visualization of what the clothing and other items may look like on a person or in a specific space (Toptal). Companies like IKEA, Converse, and Lego have already begun to incorporate AR technology into how they market and model their selection (Toptal). These developments create a more intimate dynamic between customer and products and helps broaden one’s aesthetic imagination.

Give them a reason to come

A 2016 study performed by Walker Sands found in a survey of 1400 datapoints, that most customers prefer the in-store experience over the virtual one (WalkerSands). And this marks a strong case for businesses to reimagining the customer experience, with AR and VR in the post-pandemic physical retail environment.

AR isn’t only for online use

Picture yourself walking into your favorite store and grabbing an AR equipped headset. As you navigate the confines of the store, items of your interest will pop-up as windows in your vision with descriptions, prices, discounts, and more. AR will also make it possible to leverage in-store games to create better store experience for your children.

Ready or not, here AR and VR come

VR and AR are one of the fastest growing and most lucrative technological developments in the near future. Before we know it, they’re going to be a new norm that perforates every business and function around the world

The Systech Solutions, Inc. Blog Series is designed to showcase ongoing innovations in the data and analytics space. If you have any suggestions for an upcoming article, or would like to volunteer to be interviewed, please contact Olivia Klayman at oliviak@systechusa.com.