With a scale of 12 billion US dollars, the AR retail market has great potential

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought about a boom in online shopping, leading to a surge in visits to online shopping platforms, prompting many brands to adopt emerging technologies such as AR and virtual stores to interact with users to remain competitive.

AR retail market size exceeds $12 billion

With the advancement of facial and spatial recognition technology, the combination of WebAR and other content democratization will bring new changes to the virtual try-on and product preview experience, allowing consumers to seamlessly access interactive and realistic AR content.

As more and more brands add AR technology to their shopping platforms, the global AR retail market is expected to exceed $12 billion by 2025.

In the next two years, more and more brands will shift their marketing activities and online shopping platforms from static web pages and 2D images to interactive experiences and platforms . In the past few years, brands such as ThreeKit and Cappacity have launched a lot of 3D content, making AR technology affordable for retailers.

In addition to these AR platform providers, tech giants including Amazon, Facebook and Apple have begun developing their own solutions, while major retailers such as IKEA and Nike have launched AR tools for their customers.

IKEA launches AR technology to improve online shopping experience

Data shows that in 2017, IKEA launched the IKEA Square app, which uses AR technology to allow customers to imagine the decoration of their own rooms through 3D technology.

In addition, AR technology can help customers try out products using visualization tools while sitting at home, and help sellers establish direct contact with consumers without physical stores.

Using AR technology, customers can be provided with personalized services and the right products can be presented to them. This approach, which combines technology and artificial intelligence, can enhance consumers’ online and in-store shopping experience.

Virtual shopping may become the next major trend in retail

Previously, Amazon launched a new custom T-shirt service that is created based on a "virtual human double layer" of a customer's photo.

Users first need to provide their height, weight and two photos of their body taken in the app to create a "virtual human model" so that the designed T-shirt can be accurately modeled. In addition, users can also choose the fabric, color, length, fit, neckline, sleeve length, and even customize the label.

As retailers look to cut costs and streamline operations, and AR helps consumers and employees better interact, the technology will only become more prevalent.

Sellers should note that online shopping will continue to grow after the COVID-19 pandemic , especially in product categories supported by AR experiences, such as cosmetics, clothing, and furniture . Sellers can refer to relevant data to decide whether to use the technology .

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