Transformation Of E-Commerce Through AR & VR Technology In 2023 🤘🏻

Heya Readers,

Are you ready to explore the exciting world of AR and VR in e-commerce for Direct to Consumer (DTC) brands? These cutting-edge technologies are taking the online shopping experience to new heights, allowing customers to virtually try on clothes, test out products, and even walk through virtual showrooms. 😱

It's a whole new way to shop, and it's all thanks to the power of AR and VR. So, grab your virtual reality headset and let's dive in! 🤿

Augmented Reality (AR) is taking over the e-commerce world and trust us, it's not just for gamers anymore. A whopping 48% of people are excited to use AR and VR technology to shop in the next five years. 📈

Marketers are jumping on board too, with 38% planning to use AR in 2022- that's a 15% increase from just five years ago! In this guide, we'll show you the ins and outs of AR shopping, the latest trends to watch out for, and even recommend the best AR shopping app out there. So put on your virtual reality glasses and get ready for a wild ride in the world of AR! 🎢

What is AR Shopping? 

Imagine trying on clothes, testing out makeup, or even seeing how that new couch will look in your living room- all without ever leaving your house. That's the magic of Augmented Reality (AR) shopping.

You can use an electronic device like a smartphone or virtual reality headset to virtually try on and test products, making it feel like you're in a brick-and-mortar store interacting with products or even seeing how they'll look in your own home.

The AR/VR Market is Booming

By the end of 2021, the US augmented, virtual, and mixed reality market was worth a whopping $28 billion and it's projected to reach over $250 billion by 2028.

That's why big companies like Meta and Google are investing big bucks in AR and VR tools to make sure they're at the forefront of this exciting new technology. Even your smartphone camera is getting in on the action, with newer models making AR shopping more accessible than ever.

Shop Like a Pro with AR 

With consumer-friendly try-on options and better technology distribution, AR is becoming an increasingly appealing technology for marketers and shoppers alike.

Try on clothes, test out makeup, or even overlay furniture into a living area to gauge its size and suitability with the rest of your home furnishings before making a purchase. So, whether you're trying on clothes or testing out furniture, AR shopping is becoming more fun and user-friendly for everyone!

According to research by Alter Agents, Snap Inc., and Publicis Media, 3/4 of consumers believe that AR is the future of shopping and they will continue to use the technology. And it's not just a fad- AR has a significant impact on customers' online shopping experience. It builds customer confidence, helps shoppers make the right choice, makes the shopping experience easier and more engaging, and increases purchase intention.

AR Shopping Tools are the Next Big Thing 

AR shopping tools are effective for various product categories. Brands like IKEA, Target, Wayfair, Sephora, Nike, and Warby Parker have already successfully adopted the technology. In 2023, more and more brands will implement AR into online shopping in order to improve customer experience, which will have a direct impact on online conversion.

Invest in AR now and Stay Ahead of the Game

Investing in AR shopping tools today will give your brand a competitive advantage in the future. So don't wait, hop on the AR bandwagon and give your customers an immersive shopping experience they won't forget.

Get Ready to Stand Out with AR-tastic Marketing Campaigns

Augmented Reality is taking the marketing world by storm and for good reason! Top brands like Burberry are using AR to create interactive and immersive experiences for their customers. By incorporating AR into your marketing strategy, you can give consumers a whole new way to learn about your company and stand out from the competition.

Just think, with AR, your customers can capture the experience via photos and videos and share it on social media. So, get ready to up your marketing game in 2023 with some AR-tastic campaigns!

Step into the Metaverse - A Virtual World of Endless Opportunities

The metaverse is the next big thing and is expected to be worth a whopping $1T by the end of the decade! This virtual world is going to change the way we do business and retail is no exception.

With the metaverse, retailers will have endless opportunities to engage with customers, create excitement, and enhance the customer experience.

And, the best part? AR technologies can be used in conjunction with other metaverse technologies to help retailers experiment and prepare for entering the metaverse in the future. So, get ready to take a step into the virtual world of endless opportunities.

AR Shopping Frenzy: Top Trends to Watch Out for in 2023

1. Social Media AR-Mania With the world spending more time online than ever before, brands have had to get creative with their engagement techniques. Enter AR filters on social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram - 75% of the global population and nearly all smartphone users are predicted to be frequent AR users in 2023, and a majority of them are discovering AR through these apps.

2. Virtual Try-On: The Next Big Thing Product demonstration is where AR shines, and it's not going anywhere. Research suggests that virtual try-on, where customers can see how an item looks on them before they buy, has seen the biggest increase in usage between 2017 and 2022. This trend is particularly relevant in the fashion and beauty industry, with over half of survey respondents expressing interest in using AR to try on new makeup, hair colors, and clothing.

3. Virtual Showrooms: See it Before You Buy it This trend is similar to virtual try-on but with a slight twist. Virtual showrooms allow customers to place items in the environment around them, such as a living room, before they buy. Research shows that merchants who use 3D content in their stores see a 94% conversion lift on average, making this technology relevant for a variety of industries.

4. AR Hardware: The Future is Now The future is looking bright for AR technology, with innovations in mobile hardware (such as LiDAR and ToF) and companies like Google, Microsoft, Lenovo, and Vuzix building smart glasses. The predicted mobile AR market revenue growth over the next four years is expected to reach $36.26 billion in 2026.

5. AR Mirrors: Reflect on the Future of Shopping In-store shopping is about to get a futuristic upgrade with the rise of AR mirrors. These mirrors use digital screens with motion-sensor technology or digital displays with cameras to superimpose images onto the mirror in real-time. Research suggests that 21% of customers would go out of their way to visit a store with a smart mirror and 33% would use it in stores they already visit for trying on clothes.

Are you ready to take your customer's shopping experience to the next level? Look no further than Augmented Reality (AR) technology! Gone are the days when AR was just a futuristic concept in books and movies, it's now a reality that businesses are using to make shopping more fun, interactive, and confidence-inspiring.

Don't get left behind, hop on the AR bandwagon and watch your online store soar above the competition. Trust us, these AR shopping trends are only just getting started.