Since we were introduced to technology such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), online shopping and fashion have never been the same. Gone are the days when we used to take our car to the nearest mall to try on a pair of sunglasses before buying. The internet makes it easier for you to do that at home!
Some fashion companies allow you to “try on” products virtually through Augmented Reality, but to do so, you need a reliable internet connection with enough data for you to try on products, even if it takes the entire day. For that matter, I recommend dialing the Xfinity customer service number so they can hook you up with an internet connection for your online shopping.
Let’s get back to the topic: the integration of AR and VR in online shopping and how it has made our lives a lot easier.
How AR Works
Before we discuss how Augmented Reality is used in online shopping, let’s first understand the concept. Explaining it in a few words will make it hard to comprehend, so let me explain with an example.
- Suppose you want to get a pair of sunglasses but really want to see what they would look like on you first.
- You head to an online store and pick out your favorite pair.
- If this online store supports AR functionality, you can turn on your smartphone’s camera, and a 3D sunglasses model will appear on the screen in your eyes.
This way, you can see which sunglasses suit you the most through a 3D model. Now, it’ll be easy for you to understand what I’ll explore.
Brands that are Using Augmented Reality
Some popular brands have already started using Augmented Reality for their customers. These brands include Nike, Sephora, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Adidas, and many more.
- Footwear brands like Nike and Adidas are popular for using Augmented Reality in their online stores.
- Customers can virtually “put on” the sneakers to see how they would look on their feet.
- This is all possible with the help of Augmented Reality.
Benefits of AR in Online Shopping
Ever since the integration of Augmented Reality into the apparel industry, companies have seen a lot of benefits in terms of business performance. Some of the key benefits include:
- A Captivating Shopping Experience: Shopping experiences are much more immersive when Augmented Reality is involved. It gives customers a hands-on experience.
- Try Before You Buy: Before AR, customers had to judge from a picture or video if they wanted to buy a product online. However, now they can “try on” the product before buying.
- Decreased Returns: Once customers are satisfied with checking out the product through AR before buying it, this ensures decreased returns!
- Sustainability: These days, companies greatly care about sustainability and green processes to save the environment. Implementing AR in apparel cuts down the need to travel to a mall as you can try on your product online and order it from there.
How Brands Are Practically Implementing AR
You know how they say, “Seeing is believing.” Well, you can only understand how AR is being implemented by looking at a few examples.
For instance, Burberry is a prime example of implementing Augmented Reality. The brand collaborated with Google and showcased its entire library of items in 3D models for viewing on smartphones and tablets via AR. This ensured customer satisfaction and developed a sense of trust in the brand because of the “try on first” feature.
Similarly, another brand in Germany called Zalando has incorporated AR in a fun way. They have a filter on Snapchat called “try on,” where you can try different articles on yourself to see whether they suit you or not. If they do, you can go ahead and buy them! Makes things convenient.
This way, you can see that implementing AR into the fashion and apparel industry helps the customer and also helps businesses grow. Plus, it is quite sustainable, as customers don’t have to travel all the way to malls anymore, making AR reliable for the future of the fashion industry!