Retail Merchandiser Volume 64, Issue 2 | Page 22

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we all carry around in our pockets , mobile devices are used as the main device which brings immersive commerce to everyone .
Virtual reality ( VR )
VR is the cornerstone of most immersive commerce experiences . VR creates a virtual world where customers can walk into your store and navigate various product displays , interacting with products in an almost lifelike manner .
Therefore , VR can be used in various commerce scenarios , including healthcare , gaming , fashion , education , and entertainment .
For instance , Lancôme built a virtual store to give its global customers a unique immersive commerce experience shopping in their online store . Their immersive VR experience is very engaging , allowing customers to walk around , interact with products , and even ask a virtual assistant questions .
VR can be handy in selling products that are difficult to visualize or understand unless physically interacting with them . These include cars and furniture .
Apart from virtual pop-up stores , retailers can use VR for virtual employee training , which can save a lot of money and lower accident or damage risks . It can also be used for virtual customer service to give customers a more lifelike customer service experience regardless of their location .
360-degree product views
360-degree product views have been around for a while . Companies such as Virtools , Matterport , Google , and Amazon have pioneered this technology , allowing brands to create 360-degree videos and images of their products quickly .
Google pushed this technology to be usable in searches , allowing users to view 360-degree products in Google Shopping and Google Search . Like virtual reality , 360-degree product views allow customers to visualize a product from all angles and make informed purchase decisions . According to data , one company saw up to a 25 percent increase in revenue after implementing this technology .
The benefits of immersive commerce
There are various advantages to offering an immersive commerce experience for your customers . Here are the top ones .
Personalized and owned
Brand-owned immersive experiences are easy to personalize , with the brands fully controlling their first-party data and access . Consumers can choose what they want to do and share about themselves , including the products they like and personally identifiable information .
Since you have control over the data , you can leverage it to offer unique experiences for each customer , creating a sense of urgency and better conversion , leading to improved sales .
Accessible and open
Immersive commerce experiences are open to everyone if they have an internet connection . Most experiences can be had over tablets , phones , desktops , and social media feeds as long as they support the technology .
Moreover , it is easy to integrate immersive commerce into your current buyer journey without overhauling your brand ’ s online presence . Therefore , customers can still use the same channels to purchase your products but have a new , more engaging experience than the standard one .
Phygital value
Immersive commerce allows you to blend the physical and digital experience of shopping in your store , creating enormous phygital value for your brand . All products shown in 3D , including the store , accurately represent the real deal , making the experience more immersive and intuitive .
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