What are the best ways to use AR for immersive brand experiences in-store?

AR Mirrors can enable a low-lift shopping experience for brick-and-mortar guests, allowing them to quickly preview multiple looks, as well as provide simple feedback (thumbs up/down) to help finetune product recommendations. These easy-to-access "always on" style experiences can be a great way to introduce a digital layer to the shopping experience without asking guests to even take out their phone.

Making the shopping experience a personalized journey...and rewarding the user with digital rewards such as coupons or digital assets. A great example is the AR experience at the MET where one can learn about different works of art and also digitally collect unique pieces for their Roblox avatar.

Just as storytelling and gamification in AR engage the customer and can forge a stronger emotional connection with the consumer, it can also generate valuable data about customer behavior, such as viewing preferences, time spent on specific products, and interaction patterns. This information can help create a more precise consumer profile and provide a more personalized experience, even for simpler purchases. These analyses can be used to adjust marketing strategies, enhance product placement, and optimize inventory offerings. When applied, this extended personalization can create a shopping environment highly tailored to individual tastes, further increasing the likelihood of sales conversion.

AR is particularly powerful when it comes to makeup VTO (virtual try-on). To physically apply an entire look using a range of products, then to wash it all of and try again with a different look - is obviously hugely time consuming and impractical. AR can render makeup realistically, and can make it as simple tapping on a button to try another look. In this way, efficient discovery can be simultaneously combined with the next key value prop - providing product visualisation.

A few years ago we gave this a try, got a lot of good feedback: Create shopping quests. You get a featured shopping assistant (celebrity) who leads you through a store to find various items you might like (they want you to buy). Along the way you collect points and or coupons or other gifts/power-ups. Take a selfie with your virtual assistant and share it to social media

Say you are building an irrigation system for your garden and you want to reuse your grey water. before you leave your house you can take a look at the layout that needs to be covered then in the store the AR + AI can help you chain together the right plumbing for the use case you need to solve. and help you locate those items in the store and tell you if its 3/4 inch or 1/2 fitting. it could suggest that you might run out of water pressure so go back and measure your pressure with some gauge, present different architectures, warn you about above ground freezing in the winter so dig a trench with this... even suggest phone controlled automated levers at tactical points. when you get home help you build step by step

Alongside these great points I think there is a huge opportunity for brands and retailers to democratise their shopping experience and create new ways for people to connect with their products. AR enables brands to open retail experiences anywhere at any time. Brands can now open an AR boutique and pop-ups, target them to customers and refresh them with new products, seasonal looks or partnerships. As well as making it easier to reach more of the right people faster with a retail experience, there could also be positive implications for the environmental impact of physical retail; such as travel and returns.

Design sharable experiences through RA, that way your brand will get more exposure and free advertising by its users, as some sort of indirect referal marketing

Thanks to AR you can simply make a product stand out from the rest which is a differentiator among the myriad of product available for a consumer.

We are using LLMs integrated into spatial environments to allow people to query a physical (or digital space) with natural language. Allowing them to interface in essence an unstructured data environment and get data that is relevant and contextual to them. For instance, "I am cooking pasta tonight, I need a veggie and good cheese" "you can find parmesan on aisle 15 and spinach goes well with pasta. There's a special on the Sangiovese wines in aisle 5"

Using AR significantly reduces uncertainties not only in the aesthetic aspect but also in the technical visualization of products. Features like side-by-side comparisons provide a much better spatial understanding than simply providing measurements. Many people struggle to visualize a product proportionally based on technical details listed on product pages, such as measurements. However, visualizing in AR and integrating contextual elements, i.e., comparing with more familiar products, can make a significant difference. Placing the product in the desired location as if the purchase were made is also possible. This can further facilitate opinion-sharing, providing a more social and collaborative experience during the purchasing process.

AR is great for furniture try-on - not just to assess an item for aesthetic fit, but for size too. Many platforms support the rendering of AR content at its physically correct scale. Combined with wall occlusion from depth sensors on many high end phones, it can be quick and easy for consumers to tell if bulky furniture will actually fit into their available space.

Für eine professionelle und schnelle Entwicklung setzen wir auf Erstellung der AR Daten beim Fabrikanten und Distribution der Daten über eine Cloud Lösung. Wir gewährleisten dadurch beste Datenqualität und Nutzung ohne größere technische Anforderungen an die Shop Betreiber.

AR's main benefit for retailers is helping to drive people in-store to make the final purchase - or to decrease the risk of products bought online being returned. Customers will be coming into the store to connect the final senses they can't augment at home: touch and smell. As simple as this is to do now (you can create 3D objects from photos, video, a real-time scan, text etc) customers will need to be guided on how to do it. Many simply aren't used to thinking of their phones as portals to see things that aren't there.

Product visualization using AR has transformed from a gimmick into a necessity. Ability to visualize products in a real-world setting helps bridge the gap between the digital and physical shopping experiences. For instance, in the fashion industry, AR can revolutionize the shopping with Virtual Try-ons which enhances customer engagement and reduces returns. In the home decor sector, AR is helps visualize furniture in their space, considering size, color, and style. This immersion is crucial in making informed purchase decisions, It boosts confidence in the product and reduce cognitive dissonance post-purchase. The future of product visualization lies in enhancing the realism of AR experiences, making them as close to reality as possible.

Unfortunately traditional Ecomm cannot provide a real product overview to buyers. This is true, especially for furniture industry. Using AR, buyers can place products virtually at their place, discovering quality and scale (dimensions) while checking a match with user's decor and theme. AR increases user engagement time, buying confidence, reducing coversion friction while leaves an opporunity to show it to his family and friends. Word of mouth is still considered as one of the most effective method to increase sales.

AR-enabled product visualization revolutionizes consumer experiences by overlaying digital information onto the physical world. From trying on virtual clothing to previewing furniture in real spaces, this technology enhances decision-making and online shopping, offering a dynamic and interactive way to explore products.

I have worked on events where AR has created a new medium for product explanation - effective, engaging messaging and a unique tool for visualising use cases. Key callouts on the benefit of AR, in my experience are (i) animated X-ray vision of what’s going on under the hood of the product (if technical), and (ii) animating immersive simulations that would be difficult to pull off any other way, aiding understanding of complex concepts. There is also an opportunity in observability of the user experience - data can be collected and fed into product/service design improvement.

In research I've recently conducted, we found that AR can be more effective at driving an emotional responses to content than video - including feelings of engagement. There's a caveat though; learning will diminish if the UX and interaction design isn't simple and easy to use, as struggling to interact may distract from the content itself.

AR is an extremely flexible interactive technology that allows you to implement audio, video, 3D models, images and more. Based on the research and practice I have in this technology as a lecturer and developer, I have found it useful to enhance customer experience and provide immersive information about a product or service. Users find it engaging and it promotes brand loyalty.

Every product has a story, an inspiration, and a reason for existence. Augmented reality not only allows this story to be told but also experienced by the user. It is the path for people to connect with the brand in a non-conventional way and to interact and adapt these experiences to their own lives. It is necessary, of course, to remember that frictionless augmented reality experiences are ideal for the audience to live and share them. Is UX and UI aligned with the goal? Are the assets optimized? Is the storytelling right? With a correct checklist, engagement is guaranteed because no one will ignore a great experience.

Gamification if done correctly can add depth to narrative of a product and allow for further information about the brands awareness and engage new user groups that may disengage from the typical shopping experience.

Using augmented reality (AR) for usability testing prior to creating the final prototype can significantly reduce both the expenses and time typically linked with constructing a tangible prototype. Nonetheless, crafting highly detailed AR prototypes remains a complex task that presents its own set of challenges. These include ensuring seamless integration of real-world elements, maintaining high fidelity in the AR experience, and addressing technical intricacies to achieve a comprehensive simulation.

What if the boxes you send products to customers could unlock imaginative scenes in which people could record videos, take photos, and create memories with their children? That's what AR helps to unlock. Think of being able to create 3D photo boxes your customers can take photos of, or instructions that can be read out, or even a 3D render of how pieces go together. There are many awesome examples of pointing a phone at LEGO bricks and having it tell you how to create objects or music from how blocks are arranged. AR should be used to bridge the gap between the product and engaging both digitally and physically.

Mostly all the customer has this thoughts before buying any products, will this product uses good quality materials, how it's been made, how it's been originated, owner or shopkeeper can showcase all these with interactive story-telling,images and video, educating customer can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the product.

Here are some ways to use AR for retail environment: Virtual Try-Ons: Enable customers to virtually try on products using AR. allowing customers to see how products look on themselves before making a purchase. Interactive Product Labels: Embed AR into product labels or packaging to provide additional information. Gamified Experiences: Create AR games that are related to the products or brand story. This not only entertains customers but also keeps them engaged and encourages them to spend more time in-store. Implement AR navigation within the store. Customers can use their smartphones to navigate through aisles, locate products, and access additional information about each section or product category.

Das die Verweildauer um 30% erhöht wird ist inzwischen bewiesen. Damit entsteht automatisch eine größere Bindung zu dem Unternehmen.

Engagement is key in converting interest into sales. AR has the capability to enhance product engagement. One approach is to turn shopping into a story-telling experience, where customers learn about the product's journey - from conception to production. Other method is to use AR for gamification, turning mundane shopping tasks into fun activities. For instance, customers could participate in an AR treasure hunt within the store, discovering products while earning rewards. Such interactions not only increase the time spent in-store but also deepen the customer's connection with the brand. From my experience, the more customers interact with products in a meaningful way, the more likely they are to make a purchase and become brand advocates

When it comes to e-commerce, I think WebAR is ideal. In my experience, with over 4 years working with social AR and 2 years with webAR, customer loyalty strategies are more effective when consumers don't rely on an application (app) to visualize the product. The freedom to use a web or mobile browser greatly facilitates providing instructions, enhancing accessibility in the experience, and simplifies integration with online loyalty platforms. Additionally, it enables more precise analysis of consumer behavior. Sharing the experience can be encouraged in other ways such as utilizing various types of CTAs (call-to-action) and assisting in the process of taking an extra step to save the content and share it freely on any social network.

Incentives for shoppers have always been present -- points, badges, coupons, rewards, and upgrades have long been part of the shopping experience. AR simply offers another avenue for shoppers to interact with retailers and their products.

This is where platform selection can be crucial. Many of the main social platforms don't support arbitrary data input / output from AR experiences, and so plugging into loyalty programs can be difficult. More open platforms like WebAR can solve for this, but this may erode experience discoverability and shareability, so it'll be crucial to consider the tradeoffs.

In-store shopping experience can be gamified using AR. It can include animated and interactive elements at different places in store, immersive wall art, virtual try-on stations, AR personal assistants etc. These experiences can then be enhanced by rewards such as coupons, badges, freebies and VIP points to keep the customers hooked. Moreover, brands can utilize AR to maintain continuous community engagement through interactive experiences and events, further extending their reach and interaction with customers. In my opinion AR alone is not the solution, rather it serves as a tool to be used with other community engagement activities for brands to set them apart from competitors.

For product loyalty, AR shouldn't be used for in-store loyalty. Customers would want slippy experiences, where it's location, AppClips, scanning a loyalty card etc. AR comes into its own to built loyalty through immersion in the product, whether its through being able to create shared experiences, being able to tell and show the journey of the product, or to immerse audiences in the history of your company. Think of how to use things like packaging to act as anchors or places to have QR codes that could launch a webAR experience that gives everyone the same experience, regardless of where they are. These can be used to prompt customers to talk about products or provide them with the ability to capture products in whole new ways.

The primary objective for most brands I've worked with is to establish brand loyalty through creating engaging brand experiences. Currently, smartphone apps, utilizing gamification elements like points, unlocks, and digital collectibles, are the optimal choice until AR and XR become native to phone cameras and eyewear gains widespread adoption. Coupon, rebate and other reward unlocks are the fastest way to onboard a new users. While immersive retail experiences are impactful for onboarding, their scalability for mass market distribution is hindered by high hardware costs, installation, and maintenance.

Building loyalty in the digital age requires more than just quality products; it demands an exceptional and personalized shopping experience which AR can do. Integrating AR with loyalty programs, retailers can offer personalized rewards, discounts, or exclusive content. For instance, an AR app can recognize returning customers and provide them with customized product recommendations or exclusive AR content. Another strategy is to use AR for storytelling, helping customers connect with the brand's values or social causes. Such experiences can turn one-time buyers into loyal customers. In my experience, the key to generating loyalty through AR is to create value beyond the product, offering customers a sense of belonging and recognition.

I'm a great fan of WebAR and a founder of WebAR platform too. From my experience, I have seen great AR experience can turn people into loyal customers. Extraordinary AR experiences can generate a wow experience while people like to show it again and again to their friends and family. Thus coming back multiple times to the AR experience can create an affinity mindset. Great storytelling is another aspect of AR which can create even great impact to audience. Image targeting AR (AR triggered on product labels) can make products look like souvenir. Such AR can increase sales rapidly while creating a loyal customer base who would be happy to buy and recommend a certain brand of product more.

Augmented reality can help enhancing brand merchandise adding significant cost value to the real products and boost loyalty. For example the ability to transform static images into interactive 3D experiences by using target tracking technology opens up new avenues for brands to create additional value to their products and connect with consumers on a deeper emotional level. According to a Nielsen IQ survey, 56% of young shoppers noted that AR instills confidence in a product's quality, while 61% expressed a preference for retailers offering AR experiences.

In addition to what has been mentioned, it is possible to introduce exclusive offers or special discounts available only through AR experiences to encourage its use and democratize access, transforming it from something unfamiliar to consumers into an indispensable tool. We can also integrate virtual assistants into the purchasing process and enhance the overall experience. Despite the significant growth in online purchases, conversion rates can also increase in physical stores when there is no stock availability. In such cases, consumers can still visualize the desired product and place an order.

AR experiences can be added to product packaging that elaborate on key product features in-store, or provide more information to buyer post-purchase. E.g. makeup compacts that link to AR-powered makeup tutorials, cereal boxes with educational games or album covers with additional fan-service content. These digital layers can provide a value-add to the product being purchased that can spark interest and lead to conversion.

Brands that find ways to help customers talk about their products in new and engaging ways could likely see product conversions increase. AR can help to build product advocacy by helping their customers understand products in whole new ways: beyond the end product to the story of the product. Think about a great restaurant, where they have their story in the back of the menu. Think about how it talks about the suppliers they work with, and why they work with them. Think about that desire you have to eat a product when you've just watched a video of how its mass-produced (Vienetta video, I'm looking at you). AR brings that to life, in front of your customers.

AR is a very powerful tool to increase conversion. This is my favorite topic actually. Especially WebAR is a powerful tool for ecommerce to boost conversion. From my experience, I've seen (also vetted by global stats) that AR, in average can bring: - 116% average increase in Page Visit. - 180% increase in conversions than non-AR users. - 25% decrease in return rate via AR Purchase. Apart from that, there are more. AR can increase: - Avg. 20% increase in cart value. - Avg. 30% increase in qualified pipeline. With an increase in users confidence, virtual try-on can lower the conversion friction. As a result, it increases product conversion for the brands.

the key use cases are still open to market leaders ( ie no winner yet): Interactive Displays: Virtual product trials for an engaging purchase journey. Virtual Try-Ons: Fashion experiences elevated through AR mirrors or apps. AR Storytelling: Immerse shoppers in brand stories for a memorable connection. In-Store Navigation: Efficiently guide customers with AR-powered navigation. Exclusive Content: Unique AR promotions for brand affinity. Gamification: Make shopping playful with AR games. AR-Fueled Events: Captivating AR experiences enhance events. Interactive Signage: AR displays replace signs, offering instant product information. AR Fitting Rooms: Personalized try-ons with AR mirrors. User-Generated Content: AR-enhanced content sharing

Consider that brands like CAMP are rethinking the retail space as something more—as immersive and experiential—while also partnering with major storytellers like Disney. AR and spatial computing create a means to leverage any footprint and create something that is site specific, experiential, and a reason to visit that location. This comes at the same time that experience seekers are rapidly on the rise.

AR-Comparative tables and visualizations with prices, materials, sizes across the entire products line. AR-Games like Pokemon Go, where each unique visitor needs to find his own discount in the store in the form of a hidden brand mascot. The search path of this games is built along the current route of the store to get acquainted with the most competitive and profitable products.

My perspective as an XR Practice Head:- AR is best used for Product Visualization - Implement AR to allow customers to visualize product brands in their physical space before purchasing using their phones, ipads or tablets, in virtual retail stores, in physical store itself at AR hotspots. Virtual Try-Ons of clothing or make up is getting better. AR Interactive Displays with product information, promotions, or interactive games involving the product brand will be great..Use AR for in-store navigation. More points:- AR Shopping Assistants. Utilize AR on product packaging. In-Store Experience immersion. Interactive Advertising. AR-based loyalty programs or rewards. AR bsed Training and Onboarding.

The opportunity for AR has been moved along markedly with recent device tracking capabilities e.g. LiDAR - allowing for more interactive experiences with real world objects and virtual animation.