Augmented Reality Has Only Begun to Disrupt E-Commerce

Augmented reality is revolutionizing e-commerce as we know it.

In fact, with consumers flocking to digital commerce with the pandemic still making its rounds, retailers are rushing to “best replicate the physical shopping experience in an entirely virtual context,” as noted by PYMNTS.com.  For example, Amazon is rolling out its “Room Decorator,” which will allow consumers to view furniture and other home furnishings in their own home virtually.  “Amazon is always exploring new ways to create experiences that delight our customers,” an Amazon spokesperson told TechCrunch. “With the addition of Room Decorator tools, Amazon enhances its augmented reality feature to give customers an even more immersive shopping experience from the comfort of their own home or on the go.”

Even more impressive, analysts at Gartner say 100 million consumers could shop in augmented reality online this year.

In fact, according to a 2018 survey, 46% of retailers have plans to use augmented reality and/or virtual reality with their consumers.

According to Gartner, “The impact of AR or VR in retail can be transformative,” said Ms. Karki. “Retailers can use AR as an extension of the brand experience to engage customers in immersive environments and drive revenue. For example, IKEA’s Place app enables customers to virtually ‘place’ IKEA products in their space. Additionally, AR can be used outside the store after a sale to increase customer satisfaction and improve loyalty.”