Augmented reality adds virtual experiences to real-world environments. Today, marketers are using AR’s capability to drive immersive experiences for consumers. So far, the results are nothing short of amazing. With this emerging technology, brands can create smoother customer journeys and cohesive shopping experiences.
Let’s take a look at four brands that are using augmented reality to create memorable virtual experiences for their consumers.
Gucci
Customer indecision is one of the most critical issues that augmented reality can address through these immersive experiences. Its ability to show detailed product information makes customers more confident about their purchases.
Italian luxury fashion brand Gucci is one of the most recent high-end brands to embrace AR. With their iOS app, you won’t have to stop by Gucci’s physical locations to try on their Ace sneaker collection. All you have to do is download the app and point your camera downwards. From your smartphone, you can virtually try on 19 pairs of Gucci sneakers.
The app comes with a built-in photo feature. It allows customers to show snaps of the shoes through social media, email, or text. Using the same app, customers can also see Gucci’s Marmont bags in 3D.
Giving customers a clear and detailed representation of their product should enable brands to enhance customer satisfaction.
L’Oréal
On massive retail platforms such as Amazon, customers have limitless options. They do, indeed, have their perks. However, if you’re a brand trying to make a sale, it’ll be harder to stand out from the competition. Every time a consumer looks up lipstick, they’ll be given thousands of options to choose from.
French beauty brand L’Oréal teamed up with Amazon to address this problem. On the platform, they launched an AI-powered application from ModiFace, an AR company they acquired last year that specializes in beauty. ModiFace gives Amazon customers the opportunity to try on makeup virtually. Using the smartphone’s mobile camera, the app overlays beauty products onto live videos or photos, enabling virtual makeup try-ons.
IKEA
Shopping for furniture can be quite taxing for new homeowners. You need to find the items that suit your taste, then you have to figure out if it fits your space. Low-cost furniture retailer IKEA thought of a brilliant way to solve such a problem for customers—augmented reality.
IKEA Place is an AR-driven app that enables homeowners to visualize how their potential choices might look in their home. The app even comes with a visual search function. By pointing your camera at a piece of furniture, the app shows you which IKEA product closely resembles it. Of course, you can do all of this while shopping online.
Best of all, IKEA Place streamlines the customer’s journey. From selecting furniture, you can proceed to purchase the items you want in a few effortless steps.
BIC Kids
Crayons and other creative materials have always been one of BIC’s specialties. However, the fun and exciting experiences they offer don’t end there. An app called DrawyBook lets their young customers bring their ideas to life.
Kids can snap a photo of their artwork using smartphones and upload it to the DrawyBook gallery. Once there, the app uses AR capabilities to breathe life into their work and create interactive stories.
Takeaway
Augmented reality gives brands a myriad of opportunities to create customer experiences that truly matter to their audience. With AR capabilities, companies can improve customer engagement, drive more sales, and increase brand loyalty.
