According to Market Research Inc’s latest study the value of Augmented Reality in the retail market is USD 411.3 million in 2021 and is expected to surge to USD 7,951.2 million by 2028, Stillwater Current reports. If these numbers affect your imagination and you would like to create AR enhancement for your business but you don’t know where and how to start, we prepared a useful set of the latest AR implementations in retail. Perhaps you will get inspired. Do you want to find out more? Swipe down!
Augmented reality in the service of make-up shopping
The current pandemic situation has set new rules which strongly impacted various retailers. We are still advised to keep social distance, wash and disinfect hands as well as wear masks. The last two things are particularly awkward while buying make-up cosmetics. Some governments recommend shoppers try beauty products on the backs of their hands, not their faces to avoid being infected by the COVID-19 virus.
What is more, it’s really easy to rub eyes with alcohol-based hand sanitizer which can lead to allergic reactions, irritation of delicate skin around the eyes and even sight damage. So, what to do to help clients enjoy shopping still and make them feel certain that a given foundation or lipstick matches their skin tone? Here comes Augmented Reality technology and Virtual Try-ons.
AR mirror is one among various solutions that surely facilitate traditional shopping. The mirror takes a photograph of your face, analyses it and recommends products based on skin tone and imperfections. While it brings modern technologies to stores, there is one thing worth noting – lighting. Real skin tone is different from the one in the mirror, so there will always be a question of accuracy. Yet, it’s still great to have additional fun while shopping and do it according to preventive measures!
Get yourself dressed… digitally with Virtual Try-ons
Currently, trying-on clothes in a traditional manner in stores seems also to be uncomfortable in the light of the pandemic. Fitting rooms are certainly sanitized after each client. Additionally, garments that were tried or returned are held for 24 hours before being put on the sales floor back again. But what if you don’t have the luxury of strolling around shopping malls because of numerous duties or you would prefer to do shopping from the comfort of your house or flat just because. Well, something can be done about it.
Suzanne Harward is an Australian outstanding designer of bridal fashion since 1975 who decided to enhance their clients’ experience by adding an interactive Augmented Reality component. As a user, you can view a gown you like in your private place before purchasing. The application offers high quality 360 degrees view as well as the scaling and sizing of each gown.
Suzanne Haward’s case is not the only one and still, there is more yet to come. As Adweek reports, the clothing brand Gap is acquiring a start-up Drapr that enables its users to create quick 3D avatars of their bodies to try-on clothes. It’s not the very first approach of Gap to digital enhancements in retail. Back in 2017, they tested an application called DressingRoom.
Yet, the application was limited due to the state of AR technology back then but perhaps Gap’s attention will be shifted towards this idea again.
Jewelry ARt
Virtual Try-ons can be also useful when it comes to showcasing the beauty of jewelry. Ashley Gold who is known for her jewelry works for celebrities has recently launched an AR module on her website that facilitates trying on some of her products. You can use a laptop’s in-built camera or external recording device or your phone to snap a photo and share it on social media. And there is certainly more! The latest Augmented Reality technology facilitates creating AR Watch Try-on.
It’s a marker-based application, so it puts a 3D layer onto a physical object – in this particular case you print a paper band.
Conclusions
As you can see, Augmented Reality has various applications in the retail market. After reviewing the presented implementations, the very first conclusion may be that digital technologies serve as a rescue mission in times of pandemic when social and business interactions are limited. Yet, it’s worth noting that Augmented Reality solutions can be useful also after the post-COVID era as a user experience enhancement.
Clients crave the possibility of product customization which is made exactly according to their needs and requirements. When they design, e. g. a necklace themselves, it creates an absolutely different emotional connection with a given brand. Clients are offered enormous freedom of choice and the possibility of self-expression thanks to the usage of Virtual Try-ons.
What is more, as Vogue Business noted, Augmented Reality supports sustainability. Farfetch in collaboration with digital platform DressX and 3D creator Threedium digitise garments and accessories for influencers. Later on, influencers are given instructions on how to pose and take photos. This approach contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of sending various goods.
Finally, Virtual Try-ons convey one more very important message. It’s the technology that can be used by every smartphone or tablet user, so basically this applies to a large group of people. Techjury reports, there are 3.5 billion smartphone users around the world as of 2020 data. They can be your clients. You know it, right? If you have an idea but no clue how to start, feel free to drop us a few lines and we will tailor something unique for you.
