[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/07\/13\/augmented-reality-in-retail-examples\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/07\/13\/augmented-reality-in-retail-examples\/","headline":"Augmented reality in retail: 4 examples of AR boosting sales for retailers","name":"Augmented reality in retail: 4 examples of AR boosting sales for retailers","description":"Augmented reality in retail examples: See how AR is helping retailers increase conversion, engage customers, and boost profits. ","datePublished":"2020-07-13","dateModified":"2023-03-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/ben-houston\/#Person","name":"Ben Houston","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/ben-houston\/","identifier":370,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/057560313de617adbede7e90bd54808931450163bebc6358e47be5531ba472f4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/057560313de617adbede7e90bd54808931450163bebc6358e47be5531ba472f4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Augmented-reality-in-retail-examples.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Augmented-reality-in-retail-examples.jpg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/07\/13\/augmented-reality-in-retail-examples\/","about":["B2C Commerce",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/","name":"Commerce","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commerce","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q26643"]},"Future of Grocery Retail","Retail Trends, Data, News"],"wordCount":1143,"keywords":["AI In Retail","AR","Augmented Reality","SAP Partners"],"articleBody":"As augmented reality matures beyond a source of entertainment, more and more retailers are discovering how this technology can boost sales. Typically, these applications fall into one of two categories: AR that optimizes the buying experience\u00a0AR add-ons that enhance an existing product or serviceFor this post, we’re looking at augmented reality in retail – examples of how retailers are boosting sales thanks to AR, plus one often talked-about application you should hold off on for now.Augmented reality in retail: Examples of AR boosting salesShow large products in context: One core AR functionality shining in the era of lockdown is the projection of a 3D product image into an image of a shopper\u2019s home. This is particularly useful for larger items like furniture and appliances, which were historically harder to sell online because of their high cost and high shipping costs \u2013 and therefore high margin of error. If a customer doesn\u2019t like the sofa they order online, it\u2019s a much bigger hassle to return it than if they don\u2019t like their new mixing bowls. IKEA\u2019s Place app lets borrowers project 3D furniture renderings into their homes to test look and fit before placing an order. The kind of certainty such applications can give shoppers is one reason 3D technology like AR can increase conversions as much as 40 percent and reduce returns by as much as 35 percent.Increase the value of toys with AR-fueled games: Since the start of the pandemic, 20 percent of parents have spent more on toys and games for their kids. Overall, toy sales were up 19 percent from March to April, driven by purchases of interactive items like games. In fact, sales of \u201cstatic\u201d toys like Barbies actually fell at the start of the pandemic as parents sought cost-effective ways to keep their kids occupied. That trend will likely continue as summer camps are canceled and schools face an uncertain future this fall. Toy sellers can fuel sales in this time by enhancing the value of all kinds of toys with AR-fueled games. LEGO, for example, offers a game that lets kids view entire AR worlds around their assembled creations. BIC offers an app that lets kids bring their illustrations to life. What\u2019s great about this strategy is that developing an AR game can happen independently of normal toy production and sales, then work as a value-add offering during marketing and advertising. Parents looking for toys with maximum engagement potential will respond positively to clear, ongoing ways to engage children stuck at home.Deliver post-sale customer support: Lowe\u2019s currently offers an AR app that helps professional contractors show homeowners how to handle basic home repairs. Porsche is using AR to enable experts who can\u2019t travel as they normally would to tackle especially difficult repairs. Other brands can offer post-purchase AR support in the form of assembly instructions (for furniture or toys, for example), troubleshooting office equipment (e.g., fixing a paper jam), or repairing appliances. In an era of high unemployment and reduced consumer spending, demonstrating additional value for existing products can help brands distinguish themselves and win shoppers\u2019 hard-earned and closely guarded dollars. This advantage may prove important even after the pandemic ends: 65 percent of consumers say they plan to be more mindful of their spending post-pandemic.Guide people through physical stores: In 2017, Lowe\u2019s launched a pilot program that offered an interactive AR map to guide in-store shoppers along the most efficient path to get every item on their shopping list. As the economy reopens, this kind of AR application could help convince reluctant shoppers to return to physical stores by ensuring they spend as little time inside as possible. The tech could also ease some of the stress of shopping in a face mask, which can prevent glasses wearers in particular from enjoying full visibility. This type of AR application would also empower retailers to guide customers in shopping patterns that promote social distancing.Virtual try-ons: Don’t quite fit…yet\u00a0Some AR tech that\u2019s not quite ready for prime time: augmented reality-powered try-ons.Even as the economy reopens, 36 percent of Americans say they\u2019re not yet ready to return to in-person shopping, which means continued financial distress for retailers of clothing, shoes, and accessories. And stores may be required to limit the number of people in their shops anyway, meaning online shopping will remain an important part of revenue for months to come.At first glance, it may seem like AR could provide a solution by powering at-home try-on tech.In fact, brands like Warby Parker and Wannaby have launched apps that let at-home shoppers virtually try on products (in this case, glasses frames and shoes).\u00a0But for most brands, it doesn\u2019t make sense to attempt this, for three reasons:It\u2019s hard to get right:\u00a0To create a try-on AR experience, you\u2019ll have to develop a dedicated app, which means hiring a bunch of developers and spending a lot of money. And there\u2019s no guarantee that you\u2019ll be able to get it right.You\u2019ll force users to download a dedicated app:\u00a0Even if the app you build is amazing, most users aren\u2019t interested in downloading an app for a single, highly specific purpose. So all the money and time you invested might be for naught.Google and Apple are working on it:\u00a0Here\u2019s the thing: if try-on AR were easy to do, more people would be doing it. Even the biggest names in hardware and software (Google and Apple) haven\u2019t yet cracked the code, and they know their devices inside and out \u2013\u00a0and probably have the best IT talent available. The good news: reports suggest that both companies are working on this functionality. When they get it right, brands will be able to take the tech and run with it \u2013\u00a0for a much smaller upfront investment than is possible now.This content is hosted by a third party ( player.simplecast.com ).To view the content, either update your cookie preferences or view it in a new browser window.Cookie PreferencesNew WindowAR in retail can improve buying experiences + add post-purchase valueBecause of COVID-19, people are shopping online more and are more likely to be careful with their money. The augmented reality in retail examples above also apply to improving sales in these circumstances by increasing shopper confidence during an all-online shopping experience and by increasing the value and usability of the products they buy in any format.With new AR hardware expected this year from Apple, AR will only become a bigger part of the retail and post-purchase landscape. Brands that can meet increasing customer demand for AR applications will be poised to grow sales well into the future.  Smarter.Faster.Better results.Put the benefits of AI + machine learning to work for you TODAY.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"13","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/\/07\/\/13\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Augmented reality in retail: 4 examples of AR boosting sales for retailers","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/07\/13\/augmented-reality-in-retail-examples\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]