In today’s Tech News Tuesday episode we’re talking about shopping online and some new ways retailers are going about it in 2021. With virtual shopping, retailers want online shoppers to receive an authentic, personalized, experience just like they would in-store. The online shopping experience does build brand loyalty, and with new technology like AR, which stands for augmented reality, it puts digital products into your real world. There’s also the new virtual try-on technology, and it’s coming soon to your local mall, and in addition to keeping you out of the dressing room, it enhances your shopping experience.
Links in this episode: Virtual Shopping For Retail Stores: 5 Benefits & How to Implement It
Virtual Try-On Tech, the Pandemic-Accelerated Trend, Is Here to Stay and Save Headaches
Pinterest launches an AR-powered try-on experience for eyeshadow
Transcript
Welcome to the Get Digital Marketing Results podcast where we give you information and actionable tips to grow your organization.
Bob: Hi, I’m Bob Clark.
Donna: And I’m Donna Botti. We’re with Delos Inc and we make the web work for you.
In todays’ Tech News Tuesday episode we’re talking about shopping online and some new ways retailers are going about it in 2021. With virtual shopping, retailers want online shoppers to receive an authentic, personalized experience just like they would in-store.
Bob: That’s right Donna. We see a lot of this already. An associate working in-store, at home, or in an office can instantly connect via text, chat, or video with online customers. This is a real-time connection, and shoppers can ask questions, view products, and get recommendations from a product expert while also browsing the entire online catalogue of products.
Donna: With this technology, store teams can see what shoppers are browsing in real time as they move around the website, it provides a perfect opportunity to share recommendations that can be added to their cart.
If you have a Shopify website, you can add this virtual shopping feature to it. You’ll be able to access performance metrics in real-time as your shoppers begin connecting by text, chat, and video.
Studies have found using this type of personalized virtual consultation, customers routinely spend up to 70% more.
Bob: This type of shopping experience also builds brand loyalty. Retailers can then follow up with text and email to shoppers to share new product releases and to notify customers when a product is back in stock— this engagement with customers is a lifetime value, long after the first transaction.
Donna: That’s true, and some brands are even taking it a step further. Many retailers are using AR, which stands for augmented reality. AR is an interactive experience where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated visuals. So basically, adding layers of digital information to the real world.
You can see this already for retailers like IKEA, The Home Depot, and even Amazon have the ability to place their products into your home so you can see how they would fit. Typically what you do is you point your phone camera at your room, and on screen you’ll see the digital products as they would appear in real life.
Bob: Yeah Donna, and speaking of fit, another new digital technology trend is to try on stuff… online.
Pinterest has virtual makeup try-on capabilities with a new augmented reality feature that allows online shoppers to virtually try on eyeshadow and lipstick.
And of course when you find that perfect shade, you’ll be directed to a retailer who will happily sell it and ship it to you.
Donna: Virtual try-on technology has also made its way into physical stores. According to the Washington Post, the mall operator Brookfield Properties is adding 3-D body scanners that direct consumers to the clothing brands and sizes that will fit them best.
This type of technology will help as a modern day replacement for the traditional dressing room and a way to augment the in-store shopping experience.
It can be a pain though too to go in and try things on and to be able to do it and find something that fits you without having to physically carry stuff into the dressing room and see it all is a timesaver as well.
As the world begins to open up again, and we continue to social distance and avoid crowds, this new type of technology opens up a world of possibilities for businesses.
Now, if only I can say: Computer… Coffee… Black… and a mug would appear for me!
Bob: That’s it for today’s episode. You can find more information including links to the articles we discussed and a transcript of today’s podcast, at DelosInc.com/173.
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