Case in point
More recently, the fashion industry has also been cashing in on the success of AR. Clothing retailer American Apparel launched an app earlier this year that allows customers to use their smartphones to see how items on the rack would look in different colours that may not be available in-store. Lance Eliot, vice-president of IT for marketing firm Interactions, writes in a CNBC article that by simply pointing their smartphones at an item, shoppers can display product on their screens in the colour of their choice, while also being able to read customer reviews and additional details. They can even opt to purchase the item online rather than at the store counter, enabling the company to secure the sale even if the in-store stock does not match the customer’s desired choice.
AR technology can provide a great benefit to retailers due to its ability to excite consumers and draw them in. Take Apple for example. Crowds of customers are continually filling its retail locations for a chance to play with the technology giant’s latest products; they flock there for the experience. AR technology can provide a similar draw to your store by boosting excitement and offering an experience customers won’t find anywhere else. Increased traffic in your store can give you a greater opportunity to interact with clientele, providing valuable information, answering questions, and building important relationships that can foster increased loyalty and referrals.
Jeffrey Ross and Patti Moloney are a husband-and-wife duo that has used innovative thinking and technology to develop and expand their line of Dimples charms across Canada. They are also owners of Jeffrey Ross Jewellery, a custom jewellery design studio in Uxbridge, Ont.
