Cart abandonment and product returns are a massive headache for online retailers. Customers are often unsure about fit, size, or how an item will actually look once delivered. So they hesitate to hit "buy." This uncertainty directly impacts your bottom line. But there's a powerful solution: augmented reality.
With AR in retail, customers can virtually try on clothes to validate sizing. Or they can see a 3D rendering of furniture or appliances in their actual rooms. They can also mix, match, and experiment with multiple products far beyond static website images. Not only does this increase conversions but also keeps people browsing your offerings longer. More time immersed equals more opportunities for upsells.
And the data shows serious ROI. Companies using 3D and AR can see 40% fewer returns and a 2x lift in conversions. Who wouldn't want numbers like that?
In this article, we'll explore how augmented reality provides an unbeatable eCommerce experience that boosts sales and fosters customer loyalty.
How AR wins over the world of retail
You've probably seen AR before, even if you didn't know what it was called. Remember those fun filters on Snapchat or Instagram that put animations on your face? That's a simple form of AR — mixing digital images with the real world. In fact, people spent 24% more time on Instagram after the launch of AI-powered Reels.
2016 was a huge year for AR. Pokemon Go took the world by storm, and millions of people caught virtual Pokemon in the real world. This game showed the mass appeal of AR software development.
What started as just a novelty has grown into a powerful technology that's changing how we use our devices and the internet. After that, the tech giants got serious about the benefits of AR. Google, Apple, and others released AR developer tools. This made it easier to develop custom software for retail with AR features.
AR in retail solves one of the biggest hurdles to making sales: uncertainty over how products actually look and fit in the real world. Static website pictures and descriptions only help so much. But visualizing items in your own environment through augmented reality? That gives shoppers much more transparency and confidence. Clothing stores were among the first to see the potential value of AR application development. With virtual try-on apps, customers can more accurately check sizing and fit before buying.
But the possibilities extend far beyond fashion. Home goods stores use AR to let buyers easily place 3D-rendered couches, appliances, decor, and more into a virtual model of their actual rooms. No more struggling to envision how pieces will fit.
Makeup, accessories, consumer electronics — nearly every consumer market stands to benefit from AR. The use cases are limited only by creativity and the willingness to embrace AR as the future of immersive shopping experiences.
The Deloitte report gives some numbers on why you should actually incorporate AR into your eCommerce store:
- Items using AR get nearly twice as much attention compared to regular non-AR products.
- Brands with AR experiences have a 41% better chance of attracting shoppers compared to brands without AR.
- Around 3 out of every 4 customers say they'll pay more when a company uses AR to give them full transparency on a product before buying.
- 55 out of every 100 shoppers say AR technology is important for making the whole shopping experience more enjoyable and satisfying.
The data clearly shows that augmented reality can be a huge boost for online stores. But as you look into using AR in eCommerce, you might also hear about some other related tech like mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR). It's good to understand the key differences between them.
