AR Takes the Spotlight in New Year, New Shopping Behaviors
The commencement of a new year means to many, a fresh start and a clean slate. Whether it’s making resolutions, ramping up your workout routine, changing your diet, or doing some clothing purging and deep cleaning – a new year often implies something is, well, new in your life. So it’s no surprise that the new year ushers in lots of new purchases as well. But in these COVID-stricken, unprecedented times, shopping has shifted from traditional brick-and-mortar to online-only. And technology has followed suit.
Propelled by the Coronavirus, ecommerce has ramped up exponentially and with that, new and improved features and trends have as well. Take for instance, the use of augmented reality (AR) in consumers’ online shopping experiences. Seemingly industry-agnostic, AR has been historically (and now increasingly) used by furniture companies, beauty businesses, jewelers, and more. When making art, makeup, and home decor purchases, for example, shoppers are having more difficulty than ever seeing or testing out items in person due to the current climate – and this is exactly where AR has its moment to shine.
From testing different shades of paint on your walls, to testing different shades of blush on your face, consumers can benefit from the in-person shopping experience – all from the comfort of their couch. Some would say the future of AR has officially arrived, however, others recognize that while this technology has amplified tremendously due to the pandemic, the desire for such features were around well before.
According to a 2019 Neilson global survey, respondents reported they turn to technology to aid them in simplifying their everyday routines. We’ve already seen it with personal assistant devices, robot vacuums, and other AI-centric smart appliances, but study participants cited “A/VR as the top technology they’re seeking out to assist, amplify, and augment their daily lives.” Consumers aren’t the only ones interested in using and/or refining this tech tool, either. Social media conglomerate, Facebook, currently operates five VR research facilities in the hopes of expanding in this global market.
So whether it’s using AR to test items from the convenience of your home, or braving public places and using navigation apps for in-store purchases, AR is clearly a disruptor and this technology is here to stay – and reimagine brand engagement and consumer interaction for the long haul.
Would you like to see more AR functionalities in your online shopping experience? Let us know in the comments below!