Augmented Reality

Want to boost sales on your e-commerce? Need to reduce your product returns? Or perhaps gain more loyal customers and brand advocates? Start using Augmented Reality in retail and create immersive experiences! Augmented Reality (AR) in retail has revolutionized the shopping experience. With Augmented Reality retail, customers can interact with products as they’d in a physical retail store.  The result? Increased customer engagement and interaction. 68% of customers say they would spend more time at a retailer if they could shop with AR. Brands like Nike have been using AR in their stores and are seeing a quantum leap in revenue. But not only big brands can leverage AR and see an improvement in their performances. Also, small businesses can boost their results with AR, implementing this technology at an affordable price. But what exactly is AR technology, and how AR and VR are used today in fashion retail (and other kind of businesses)? In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of AR in retail and explain how it has changed the industry. We’ll also provide examples of brands extensively using AR to boost retail experience and inspiring use cases to help you implement it in your store, easily. Let’s dive in! What is Augmented Reality? Let’s start from the beginning. What is Augmented Reality? AR is an emerging technology that enhances the real world by superimposing digital content on real-life objects.  When someone points their camera-equipped device at an object, the built-in AR software employs a combination of computer vision and depth tracking techniques to analyze the video, recognize the object, and add digital content on top of it.  This way, AR bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds, improving Customer Experiences and unlocking new ways for shoppers to interact with products in real-time. Think about augmented reality products: seeing a table in your real living room, try-on glasses before buying them, experimenting sports accessories from your screen… this is a real retail revolution! AR in Retail Stores: Trends & Stats AR has revolutionized the retail experience, ushering in radical changes that have truly redefined the future of retail. More and more brands are leveraging AR in their retail stores, and here are some stats that prove it. In other words, AR shopping is really redefining the retail market. From virtual and AR shopping and in-store displays to virtual try-on features, AR in retail is everywhere. Just consider that retailers like Adidas, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Ralph Lauren have already added virtual fitting rooms and AR experiences to their stores, giving consumers new shopping options while increasing sales and reducing returns.  How Brands Are Using AR and VR in Retail for Marketing & Sales What are the most common use cases of AR in retail market and e-commerce? Here are 5 cool examples of using AR in retail: AR Shopping: Which Industries Are Using It the Most? AR in retail has the potential to benefit numerous industries, but which businesses are using this technology most effectively today? Benefits of Retail Augmented Reality AR for retail offers shoppers a completely new Customer Experience. With the help of AR, shoppers can virtually touch, move, spin and view products from all perspectives. This has resulted in many benefits for retailers, including: 1. Enhanced Shopping Experience The most obvious benefit of using AR in e-commerce is the enhanced customer experience. Studies have shown that more than 96% of customers will leave a brand due to poor customer experience. AR ensures this doesn’t happen! By bringing products to life virtually, AR allows users to get a sense of what they’re buying without seeing or touching the product physically.  The increased user experience results from how this technology brings everything to life. Rather than viewing static images, AR allows you to virtually touch, spin, view products from all angles, and even try the product. In other words, it allows shoppers to get a better sense of what they are buying without taking a trip to the physical store.  2. Increased Engagement and Customer Satisfaction AR in retail offers piques customers’ interest in products while providing all the additional info they might need. By interacting with products virtually and trying on new products, customers engage more with a brand and its products. In fact, Augmented Reality leads to the discovery of more products.  Additionally, Augmented Reality in retail stores ignites that emotional bond between customers and the brand. And when customers are more emotionally involved with a brand, they’re more likely to make repeat purchases, leading to customer loyalty.  3. Improved Product Visualization One of the biggest problems shoppers face is trying to visualize a product in their lives. Whether it’s a cosmetics item or a piece of furniture, many shoppers struggle to visualize how the product will look on them or in their homes.  With AR, consumers are able to visualize a product in real life. Many furniture and home décor companies are leveraging AR to help shoppers get more conversions. With AR, consumers can test whether the furniture will fit in their space and have a better feel of how it will look in their home.  4. More Sales and Revenue Augmented Reality improves the in-store experience, which, in turn, boosts sales.  This is because consumers who have a positive experience with a brand are more likely to make repeat purchases. Better still, the product try-on feature boosts the buyers’ confidence in the products, encouraging them to purchase.  5. Fewer Returns Merchandise worth approximately $102 billion was returned to stores in 2020. According to Chargebacks911, 37% of returns are the result of the shopper not liking the item, while 67% are due to a mismatch in the product description.  AR in retail can help avoid these problems. With AR, customers can try on the product before buying and only commit to buying if the products virtually fit them or look great in their homes. Rather than relying on the static images displayed on Amazon, shoppers can try out the product, zoom, spin it, and even view it from all

Augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a new technology in visual commerce. It is currently revolutionizing how businesses engage with customers and showcase their products or services. At its core, AR overlays digital content onto the real world, blurring the lines between physical and virtual experiences. This technology’s ability to offer immersive and interactive experiences can be instrumental in capturing consumer interest and driving sales. In this article, we will discuss how AR is being used by businesses to boost sales, train teams, and improve customer service experience. Augmented Reality E-Commerce Examples in Visual Commerce As more companies adopt AR, businesses that fail to use AR are getting left behind. In 2023, the AR industry was valued at a market size of $56.3 billion, according to a report by Precedence Research. AR provides business owners with a competitive advantage by offering a comprehensive platform with diverse AR tools.  Today, AR is used in many ways, such as virtual training and personalized customer service, acting as a cost-effective solution for businesses while adding value for users. Here are some ways that businesses are incorporating augmented reality into their strategies and operations: Customization Tools AR offers businesses a chance to create customized tools that tailor experiences to individual preferences. These AR-based customization options empower customers to take control of what they want to see.  AR tools can also help customers make their vision close to reality, making it easier for vendors to meet specifications or requests. Since 71% of customers expect personalized service, making this a priority will boost engagement and sales conversion rates for any business. AR-driven customization options include: Try-On Experiences One of the more popular ways AR is being used in business is through try-on experiences. AR-powered virtual try-on solutions allow customers to digitally try on products such as virtual accessories, eyewear, makeup, and even clothing before making a purchase. For example, the global makeup brand Estée Lauder is known to have used AR as a sales and marketing initiative. When companies use AR-powered virtual try-on experiences, they will be able to do the following for the customer: Product Pitches and Bids Augmented Reality (AR) can be a game-changer in product pitches and bids, offering innovative ways to showcase products and services, enhance presentations, and win over clients. Here are several ways AR can be used effectively in product pitches and bids: Remote Assistance and Support: Your business can use AR to provide remote assistance and support services, particularly in technical or complex scenarios.  For example, field service technicians can wear AR-enabled devices that allow them to receive real-time guidance and instructions from experts located elsewhere. This can streamline troubleshooting processes, reduce downtime, and improve overall service quality.  Similarly, customer support representatives can use AR to guide customers through product setup or troubleshooting steps when they need some guidance remotely. Investing in AR technology in this way can enhance customer satisfaction and reduce support costs. Someday, you might even get to find out the shape of your foot. Nike is currently researching AR technology that will allow you to measure your foot’s morphology using your phone. The company aims to help customers understand which shoes will match their needs by storing this data in a personal profile of the customer. Interactive Training and Simulation AR can transform training and simulation processes by creating interactive and immersive learning experiences.  For instance, employees in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, or aviation can use AR to practice hands-on tasks in a virtual environment before performing them in real-world settings.This not only enhances training effectiveness but also improves safety and reduces the risk of costly errors.  AR-based simulations can also be used for scenario-based training, crisis management drills, and team collaboration exercises, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development within organizations. Furthermore, the fashion and apparel sectors are witnessing a transformative use of augmented reality, especially in enhancing the way designs and patterns are presented to customers. This technological leap offers a unique opportunity for businesses to engage customers by allowing them to visualize products in a new light. A deeper understanding of how augmented reality can influence design choices, including the selection of fabric colors that appeal the most to customers, is crucial. Insights into the preferences surrounding t-shirt colors, for example, could significantly affect consumer interest and sales figures in an AR-enhanced retail setting. This approach not only elevates the shopping experience but also guides businesses in tailoring their offerings to meet customer expectations more precisely. Future Trends and Opportunities in AR  Statista reports that there will be 1.73 billion active users of AR in 2024 compared to 0.44 billion in 2019. As more companies incorporate AR in their sales and marketing strategies, user adoption rates are likely to increase in the coming years. Here is what business owners can expect to see regarding new developments in the AR industry: Incorporate AR Solutions Into Your Business Strategy In conclusion, the rise of Augmented Reality (AR) in visual commerce is reshaping how businesses interact with customers and present their products or services. AR’s ability to seamlessly blend digital content into the real world drives engagement, sales, and innovation across diverse industries. With an expected growth in the number of AR users, companies need to adapt if they want to survive the growing use of technology.  So, don’t get left behind. Use augmented reality in your business today.  

A proper digital marketing campaign helps establish a relationship between customers and brands.  Standing out from the competition calls for following the latest industry trends. Augmented reality is one of the most recent examples of how technology can reshape the way marketers approach their craft. What Is AR and How Is It Used in Marketing? AR stands for augmented reality. It layers computer-generated aspects onto physical surroundings. In layman’s terms, augmented reality is a means to change our world via sound, computer-generated visuals, and other senses. In the context of marketing, it opens a lot of opportunities for brands to provide customers with new ways of purchasing.  The Impact of AR Marketing Augmented reality impacts multiple fronts. For marketing, the expectations are quite high. According to Fortune Business Insights, the AR market size in North America alone is expected to reach almost $100 billion in 2028. Another study published by Exploding Topics reveals that AR-based shoppers are 50% more likely to spend more. 7 Benefits of AR Marketing Let’s take a look at some of the key AR for marketing benefits to get a better idea of why the concept is trending so much. 1. Distinguishes a brand from competitors The first benefit is how AR advertising helps brands differentiate themselves from competitors. Implementing the latest technology gives you an edge over brands that fail to recognize innovations. Put yourself in the shoes of a customer. Would you be more interested in someone who offers a virtual environment to check out a product, or someone who has pop-ups and lackluster product photos on their website? 2. Offers opportunities to test different marketing strategies Augmented reality brings flexibility to the testing process. Thousands of new products are released every year. Saturated marketing means that most ideas fail. One of the main reasons behind failure is the lack of customer feedback. Before, you had to develop a product fully and present its physical version. Now, however, AR enables one to delve deeper into the experience and provide more in-depth feedback. No more expensive prototypes when you can invite multiple testers to an augmented reality environment. 3. Reduces returns and refunds AR shopping reduces returns and refunds. Shoppers have less room to make an error when they have an opportunity to try a product without leaving home. 4. Encourages purchases AR experiences attract attention from potential customers. Some might want to try it for themselves just to see what it is like. For other shoppers, there is also the fact that they can delve deep into testing products to make the best possible decision. And once they are confident in their choice, they will spend money. 5. Builds hype Hype leads to more conversions. People who are not familiar with AR for marketing might hear about it from their peers. A simple campaign that involves AR marketing on social media can go viral. Some of it is luck, but the augmented reality concept in marketing is still relatively new. It’s still hot, so make the most out of it while the hype is there. 6. Enables a different storytelling approach Many marketers like to create a narrative that excels in quality. At the same time, some products are quite complicated, so it makes sense to look for ways to create a story/product description with the help of augmented reality to tell a richer story.  7. Provides ways to visualize products Modern shoppers don’t have the attention span to read super-long product descriptions. Hence, it is common to utilize visualization. AR takes visualization to another level. Examples of Augmented Reality Marketing Campaigns If you are looking for augmented reality marketing examples to get some inspiration or justification that the concept works, consider these three. 1. IKEA Purchasing furniture online comes with a risk, as you can’t predict how it will look at your place. IKEA developed its Studio app to let shoppers utilize sensory technology. One can take a picture of their room and try different furniture setups available from IKEA. 2. Niantic Out of the companies that use augmented reality, Niantic is arguably the most notable example. Their Pokemon GO mobile game was a global success.  So many people are Pokemon fans, and they own a smartphone. The app also encourages going outside and exercising, so the benefits go beyond just enjoying catching characters from your childhood. 3. Adidas Shoe shoppers look not just for comfort but also how the footwear looks. Out of augmented reality examples in shopping, Adidas is another solid shout. They worked on an iOS app, which makes decisions for shoe shopping much easier. Augmented Reality for E-commerce: Why You Need It AR for marketing exists because it presents a new and innovative way to approach product presentation for shoppers.  A more immersive experience benefits consumers because they have more information at hand. And if customers are happy and shopping, the businesses are happy, too. How Can You Use AR Marketing? AR for marketing doesn’t end with just new ways to present products via immersive visuals. Brands can utilize AR with QR codes. How To Start With AR Marketing For Your Store: Zakeke Are you interested in starting your journey with augmented reality marketing but don’t know where to start? Zakeke has the visualization side covered. Use our platform to bring your brand’s products to life and boost the customer experience. It’s intuitive and easy to use. Fully 100% WebAR and Virtual Try-On: enhanced experiences for your customers, zero hassles for you. Embrace the AR revolution today: start free trial or book a demo today. Laura Alexander E-Commerce Content Manager Laura Alexander is a freelance digital content manager and copywriter. Specializing in tech, ecommerce, and educational content, she had her work appear in publications like Omnikick, Pomodoneapp, Sortlist, and Price2Spy.  

Augmented reality (AR) has found use in multiple areas of human activity. Not only is it a fun engagement-boosting tool – the applications of web-based AR are only limited by a developer’s creativity.  From its foundational components to real-world applications and future possibilities, this guide dwells on the transformative potential of the newest Web AR technology advances, with ideas that both business owners, developers, and augmented reality enthusiasts will find insightful. What Is Web AR? Web augmented reality is a technology that allows users to access AR directly from the browser. So, unlike virtual reality software that requires an app to function, to experience Web AR, users only need a device with a camera and an internet connection. How exactly does it work from the user’s perspective? Users scan a QR code or follow a link to open a dedicated web page in their browser. The browser then requests access to the device’s camera and displays the camera input directly on the web page. At the same time, the software adds digital elements based on the identified objects, also called markers. As a result, the browser window shows a stunning combination of the physical and digital realms. When displayed via smartphone, the AR elements can be interacted with: viewed from different angles, moved around the place, etc. The Technical Nuance Behind Web AR WebAR experiences are becoming more advanced because mobile devices are adding new features that can support them. While every kind of AR uses the device’s camera, web-based mobile AR can as well have access to the phone’s gyroscope, accelerometer, orientation, and magnetometer. Most experiences based on the newest Web-Based AR technology rely on these four key technical features. Despite a surprising amount of nuance, Web AR is a simpler and more affordable choice for those who want to get started with augmented reality. While the fact that it is cloud-based limits the range of the technology’s capabilities, Web AR is tailored to function flawlessly on any device from budget options to flagship phones. Web AR Vs In-App AR – What’s The Difference? If you want to enable AR technology for your business, there are two main ways of implementing it. You can choose to develop an app or incorporate Web AR into your product. The key difference of an app-based AR from Web AR is that the in-app option stores the software elements and the data needed to render an augmented piece in the application.  Other than that, it is pretty straightforward: the app uses your device’s camera to show 3D content on top of what you see around you. It works together with your device’s hardware, like the camera, gyroscope, and accelerometer. The digital input (sound, text, graphics, or GPS data) is then augmented with the software and the combined image is created. While app-based AR can offer more advanced features than Web AR, users need to download the app to experience them. This condition makes things tougher, especially if people have limited storage space or their device isn’t compatible. Studies show a 50% drop in engagement when users have to go through a download. Besides that, only 25% of people use the app beyond the first interaction. Comparison Table Features Web AR App-based AR Available on any device X Supports any operating system X Compatible with web analytics tools X Not limited by browser performance constraints X Provides advanced capabilities by utilizing the device’s hardware X Use Cases Of Web Based AR The use of augmented reality is only limited by a developer’s creativity. One of the recent marketing trends implies crafting unique user experiences for your customers. And nothing says unique better than immersive try-on, 3D face filters, or the capability of instantly changing the background during a video call. Web-based AR can be applied in multiple ways across various industries. Below are just some of the compelling use cases. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative use cases emerging in the future. WebAR for Retail and E-commerce WebAR enables customers to visualize products in their own environment before making a purchase. This applies to furniture, wallpapers, clothing, accessories, or even plastic surgery. For example, customers can use their smartphone to see how furniture or home decor items would look in their living room. Or customers can try on clothes, shoes, glasses, or even nail polish to see if they suit their looks before buying. This immersive shopping experience increases engagement and reduces return rates, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased sales. AR for Education WebAR can enhance learning experiences by making educational content more interactive and engaging. One of the examples is healthcare: medical students can use WebAR to explore 3D models of the human face and body, examine organs and systems from different angles and gain a deeper understanding of complex concepts. Another idea for AR in education is interactive face masks and AR-based games. Teachers can create engaging trivia for students to review and evaluate their knowledge of the subject. Features like face and hand motion tracking make this technology suitable for this purpose. Augmented Reality in Advertising and Marketing Campaigns Brands can leverage AR to create immersive and interactive advertising and marketing campaigns. For example, a company launching a new product can create Augmented Reality product experiences that allow consumers to interact with virtual versions of the product, watch demonstrations, or participate in gamified experiences, all directly from a web browser. Benefits Of Using Web-Based AR Overall, augmented reality comes with a ton of benefits for your business in every industry, from eCommerce to education. Studies show that, by adding interactivity to content, you boost your message’s memorability by up to 80%. Augmented reality creates a unique user experience, and your customers are more likely to remember those. Besides that, implementing AR in spheres like eCommerce allows your users to try your goods in the comfort of their homes, which decreases return rates. As we said before, Web AR technology is