Key Benefits of Virtual Reality in the Retail Sector
Unlocking New Dimensions: The Potential of VR in Retail
There are manifold benefits to using VR in retail:
- Memorable in-store experiences and enhanced customer engagement
- Increased product interaction for informed purchases
- Heightened brand awareness and recall
- Lower returns as a result of “try before you buy”
- Fresh marketing channels and revenue streams
- Improved customer data via VR analytics
- More productive operations via employee VR training
- Enhanced logistics and warehouse management
Virtual Reality Online Shopping: The Future of E-Commerce
A New Era of Shopping Experience with VR
VR also unlocks the next frontier of online retail, providing immersive shopping without leaving your home. Retailers like Shopify, eBay, and Overstock are exploring VR and AR commerce capabilities. Trillenium enables VR stores with advanced product visualization.
AliExpress and its parent Alibaba Group already have VR shopping malls on their apps. With VR, e-commerce can virtually transport shoppers to interactive brand experiences and even exotic store environments worldwide.
The Virtual Reality Store: A New Shopper’s Paradise
A New Breakthrough: VR Stores
Fully-fledged VR stores are no longer just a distant vision. Blippar has created the world’s first AR and VR liquor store. The Macallan VR app transports whiskey enthusiasts to a virtual distillery.
China’s JD.com opened a VR store at a Shanghai mall, letting customers browse products via a VR headset and make purchases on their smartphones. As VR shopping advances, retailers will create expansive virtual stores where customers can explore products in imaginative scenarios limited only by their creativity.
Augmenting In-store Shopping with VR
Utilizing VR to Rejuvenate Retail Stores
While e-commerce grows, brick-and-mortar retail still constitutes 85% of purchases. But traffic at malls is falling by up to 60% as shoppers move online. VR can reinvigorate physical stores with interactive experiences.
Macy’s is piloting VR furniture shopping in its flagship outlet. The North Face’s VR Climb Experience brings the adventure of outdoor sports to its stores. Lowe’s Holoroom How-To educates DIY customers via VR tutorials. As consumers increasingly crave experiences, VR can help retailers make shopping in-store exciting again.
