Online shopping was already important before COVID-19 changed the way we do business around the globe. Find out how 3D technology can make buying online even easier for your potential customers.

Guest post by Margaret Oboigbe.

 

20 years ago, the world witnessed technological advancements as never seen in history. Cloud computing, social media, artificial intelligence and Augmented Reality (AR) radically changed our everyday lives – even more so now that technology has paved the way for mobile devices.

One industry that has been hit by this wave of change is the retail industry. With the power of mobile devices, constant shopping access and innovative store technologies, retail e-commerce will continue to rise across the globe.

This shouldn’t be unexpected since the number of smartphone users has risen from 3.2 billion in 2019 to approximately 3.5 billion in 2020, according to Statista. 

As a result, brands and retailers are trying to execute a mobile solution in the customer journey. With over 50% of all internet traffic coming from tablets and smartphone devices, focusing on mobile will be a meaningful competitive advantage.

Now, how can brands and retailers utilize the power that mobile devices hold? The solution: combining AR and smartphones.  With companies employing the commercial potential of Augmented Reality, the AR market would increase to $133 billion in 2021. 

For instance, retail has had the most notable investment in AR and 3D visualization technology, which can be illustrated with the growing use of AR applications and mobile devices.

Research also shows that 60% of consumers use Augmented Reality to shop for furniture, which seems logical. Furniture is a visual industry, and customers will lean towards companies that can bridge the gap between the in-store and online shopping experience. 

With this in mind, it’s evident that AR has noteworthy potential to transform the furniture industry.

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How Businesses Benefit From Using AR and 3D Technology

  • Fewer Returns

Customer dissatisfaction in the furniture industry is a major problem for retail furniture companies. Customers walk into a furniture retail shop and look around with an idea in mind. They see something they like and pay for it. 

It’s common to see some of these customers return these furniture pieces simply because they didn’t fit in perfectly with their home. It could be because it looks good in a showroom but not in their living room or that the color isn’t the right shade. 

That’s where AR comes in.

With AR and 3D visualization, customers can know immediately if a piece of furniture fits with their home. This goes for colors, position, and even size. AR also scales furniture pieces so that customers can see how their home would look with a particular piece of furniture. 

In 2018 alone, the National Retail Foundation determined that about $369B in goods was returned. With AR, the furniture industry should see more sales and fewer returns.

  • Engage Customers

With 3D rendering, shoppers can see the furnishings from every side. If retailers provide the most vital information about a product (size, color, and fit) and let customers imagine furniture in their room, they will quickly buy into these experiences.

But most importantly, it increases the engagement time on your website. Without these features to keep customers entertained and enthralled, engagement time would drastically reduce.

  • Get Ahead of Competitors

Offering 3D experiences to customers will help you compete with and beat competitors. In essence, providing unprecedented shopping experiences promotes your brand and brings customers your way. 

How Do Shoppers Benefit From Using AR Technology?

  • Better Shopping Experience 

Online furniture sales are increasing rapidly, but this is not the case for in-store furniture sales.  The number of people willing to buy in-store would further reduce with AR and 3D visualization. Why drive to a physical shop when you can use AR to shop remotely?

When compared to physical shopping, shopping for furniture remotely is more time-consuming. With AR and with 3D visualization tech, customers can take charge of the shopping experience. Also, viewing what the retailer has to offer is at their own pace and convenience – there’s no rush or expectations from any third party. 

  • Shoppers Can “Try Out” Furniture Virtually

Some 3D rendering apps allow customers to arrange new furniture pieces at home using their mobile devices. Shoppers can see an augmented reality representation of a room and put complete furniture sets for consideration. 

The home furniture industry deals with many pricey products that you can’t visualize in your space. But with this innovative tool, consumers can visualize the furniture in their homes.

  • A Fun Activity for Customers 

AR and 3D visualization technology have made shopping a fun activity for customers. The different effects it produces, such as 360° rendering, animations, and scaling of products to find the best fit, make for an exciting experience. 

Takeaway

With AR and 3D paving the way for dynamic and immersive online furniture shopping experiences, the result we’ve seen thus far is nothing compared to what we are about to witness in the future.

Are you ready to create a captivating brand experience to engage and convert your audience? INTIARO can help you customize a cost-effective visualization solution that will make shopping easier for customers and grow your business while paving the way to leverage the power of AR in furniture.