Augmented Reality | The new normal in the shopping experience
Currently augmented reality (AR) is significantly impacting the way we shop. From the early days of catalogues to today's endless online options, it's no secret that technology has drastically changed consumer behaviour. Augmented reality is the new normal in the shopping experience and companies know they can't afford not to take advantage of this innovative form of marketing.
In this article we'll explore how augmented reality can improve your customers' experience and impact your business.
Augmented Reality in optics: two approaches
There are two different approaches to implementing Augmented Reality technology in your opticians: in-store and out-of-store. These two approaches provide different experiences and benefits for your customers.
In-store experience
The Fittingbox Virtual Try-on In-store Kiosk is an integrated virtual mirror solution for use inside your shop, allowing you to publicise your optician's brands and promote your business.
This technology instantly detects the wearer's facial features and adapts to automatic movements, adjusting the frames to the face in less than 400 milliseconds. Customers can explore the diverse eyewear collection in a relaxed manner while waiting to be seen in the shop, saving time and providing the customer with a more relaxed and rewarding shopping experience.
Online experience
If you have a website and/or online shop, customers can use AR apps to try on frames and sunglasses before going to the shop in person.
The Fittingbox Virtual Try-on Website Standard solution is a digital option dedicated to opticians who want to quickly and easily set up a virtual eyewear try-on experience on their websites. It allows customers to browse eyewear catalogues and try on all the products available.
The Fittingbox Virtual Try-on Website Advanced option is a complete digital solution for full integration into the online sales site, with access to 2D and 3D images of each eyewear. It will provide your customers with a unique and very realistic virtual try-on, giving them more confidence in their choice and improving their shopping experience.
Benefits of Augmented Reality Technology
Today, virtual experimentation is not just something "useful to have", but has become a "must have" in a society where buying online has become the norm.
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Increases sales volume
Augmented Reality technology allows customers to virtually try on the glasses before making a purchase. This experience helps to reduce the time it takes to make a purchasing decision, increases confidence in the choice and, consequently, increases sales conversions. By allowing customers to "try before they buy", AR also reduces return rates due to consumer dissatisfaction.
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Greatly increases customer involvement
Augmented Reality gets customers interested in products by providing all the necessary details. When customers have a satisfactory shopping experience, they are more likely to return and recommend it to others. An improved customer experience contributes to greater loyalty and helps the public build stronger relationships with their favourite brands and opticians.
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Collecting data on customer preferences
Information about the products that customers try provides insights into their interests, preferences and buying behaviour patterns. Companies can take advantage of this data to offer personalised marketing and advertising campaigns.
The FittingBox and Augmented Reality
Fittingbox is a leader in Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear and 3D frame digitisation. It develops cutting-edge optical solutions based on artificial intelligence, computer vision and, more recently, diminished reality (DR).
In 2006, Fittingbox invented the first virtual mirror that allows anyone to try on frames online or on their mobile phone in real time, thanks to Augmented Reality.
It currently has the world's largest database of 3D photos of frames, more than 160,000 digital frames from different brands in the optical industry and more than 4,000 corporate clients.
This technology generates more than 95 million virtual tastings of frames and sunglasses, representing an exponential increase every year.
The Augmented Reality has changed the game in the consumer shopping experience! Take advantage of AR to improve your customers' shopping experience, increase sales, engagement and ensure customer loyalty.
