Regardless of the hardware platform available, it is the software that makes the hardware do its job. The software is the piece of the puzzle that turns the hardware into a powerful system capable of making ideas for how to apply augmented reality into areas of interest come to fruition. There are software components that are part of the AR infrastructure that is required regardless of the application being used, there is software specific to the application, and there is software used to create the content for applications. This section addresses each of these categories of software.
Augmented Reality in Retail Industry From shopping windows to products that come alive in your hand, the worlds of augmented reality and retail have collided spectacularly in recent years.
The retail landscape is overcrowded and customers are becoming desensitized to traditional marketing methods. That’s where augmented reality comes in. As shoppers turn to a blend of online, mobile, and bricks-and-mortar shopping for their convenience, brands and retailers have to think of new and innovative ways in which they can capture customer attention.
Augmented reality has the power to bring an image, product label or even shop window to life. Customers can see brands and their stock in a new way and engage with them on a completely new level.
1. Ikea AR Catalogue In the summer of 2013, IKEA launched their augmented reality catalogue to enable shoppers to visualize how certain pieces of furniture
Activity Mapping Overview In light of the competitive pressures in the retail industry, Abercrombie & Fitch has strived to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage by enhancing their in-store shopping experience, implementing distinct HR practices and optimizing its inventory management system, to differentiate from its competitors. Marketing through In-Store Shopping Experience Relative to its competitors, Abercrombie has differentiated itself in the retail space by constructing a unique, in-store shopping experience designed to engage consumers’ senses. Specifically, the company achieves this through a number a simple consistent activities, including spraying cologne on garments and fixtures, playing loud background music and staffing the store with attractive employees.
2. Search the web and find three augmented reality developments other than Google Glass. Describe them and explain what technologies these developments are based on. (5 marks)
While Target is effective in their approach to vast market segments like age and gender relation segments, with the increase in technology and social views the need for innovation and change is consistent. Target currently has their clothing products merchandised on racks in stores, with little displays. If Target were to use manikins, differently lighting and product location tablets between sections Consumers would be able to visually see products that they might have not been able to see before. The customers would be able to quickly look up items on the tablet, which is innovative for both age and gender segments. The customer would be able to look up different color schemes, sizes and located them quickly while
This is a company that typically has high turnover; many times I have gone into their stores and their shelves be low on product or out. They do not have enough employees to keep the shelves filled. I am sure the organization has planogram for their products, but it might not always be followed by the employees. In clothing stores in general, the merchandise can be too high up. This causes you to have to ask for assistance; when it is busy you may not be able to find anyone to assist you. They should keep the merchandise that moves less on the higher rack if they see it is not popular. “Keep shorter racks in the middle of the store and taller ones near the back. A combination of racks, tables and mannequins gives the store character and adds another layer of visual appeal” (Altman, n.d.). If they used the virtual reality, they would be able to see how often consumers are needing to get merchandise from the racks they cannot reach by gathering their
When it comes to augmented reality, we're looking at something that has found more success in the consumer space when compared to virtual reality. We've seen several applications with AR, along with video game and hardware devices such
The technology changes affecting REI are not unique to the company. Nationwide, consumers are ‘wisening up’ to new technologies and they are increasingly demanding expanded services from the companies they do business with. While the dot com revolution of the early 2000’s projected the death of traditional brick-and-mortar stores, the reality today is that customers are demanding comprehensive shopping experiences, experiences that seamlessly integrate online shopping with visits to traditional stores. For example, an REI customer might choose to purchase a pair of La Sportiva Rock Shoes in-store, order them online and pick them up from a store, or purchase online and have the shoes shipped directly to their home. Technology is not just
Due to the sudden arrival of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar businesses look for solutions to optimize the customers store shopping experience. J. Crew, 5th Avenue location was very efficient in engaging the customer. The store has a diverse product assortment, and diligent customer service. Because, the store visual presentation is curated to be clutter free, navigating through the sales floor in order to located merchandise is quite easy. A noticeable aspect of this particular store is the layout which resemble a showroom (see Exhibit C, shows pictures of the store). Although, the overall experience was pleasant – the store lacks the usages of technology. Unlike, competitors which have already incorporate programs like RFID and augmented reality
It should be no surprise that Shoe Carnival has joined with Slyce in a partnership to improve shopping for their customers. Shoe Carnival is one of the larges retailers in the country. They have close to 400 stores in over 30 states. Slyce is a very innovative company that has changed the way that people shop. They employ visual search technology to make shopping a simple process for the consumer. A recent article appeared in Marketwired about the new Slyce and Shoe Carnival partnership. Now, Slyce and the shoe retailer are using 3D mobile search technology to allow customers at the Shoe Carnival store to take a picture of an item in the store or a magazine. A visual search is performed on their mobile device. They are presented with a selection
Our goal is to make 3D worlds more realistic and immersive with the 3D MA platform. The 3D MA platform is designed to be compatible with VR equipment, such as the CAVE™ or head-mounted displays (HMD), turning virtual worlds into powerful real-life experiences. Our applications and domains described will be based with the augmentation which can take on a number of different forms. In all our applications the augmented reality presented to the user will enhances that person's performance in and perception of the virtual world. Our ultimate goal is to create a system such that the user cannot tell the difference between the real world and the virtual augmentation of it.
Despite their long and successful history as a purveyor of powerful brands, Kimberly-Clark has found that it must compete for shelf more aggressively than ever before. As a result, the mighty manufacturer is utilizing Virtual Reality, detailed in-store mock-ups, and enhanced partnerships with major retailers to revolutionize how they compete, win, and retain shelf space in stores. To begin with, Kimberly-Clark’s utilization of virtual reality to test product design, in-store merchandising effectiveness, and assess and evaluate consumer behavior is the company’s first foray into leveraging the cutting edge technology to simulate the shopping experience and assess consumer behavior. Thus, putting Kimberly-Clark on the leading edge of how the retail industry is leveraging virtual reality and augmented reality as tool.
Virtual Reality is a new medium for entertainment that companies like The North Face and Moosejaw, a very popular outdoor retailer, are using to their marketing advantage. They created a way for the average person to experience adventure that they would never otherwise experience. The videos are full of shots of the Athletes wearing and using The North Face gear. “The North Face and our athletes are always looking to bring people into our expeditions and spark people’s interest in getting outdoors,” said Aaron Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing, The North Face (Jaunt). The North Face creates products for the adventurous but also wants to target people who spend little to no time outdoors. Customers who rely on their products for performance are loyal to the company because of their high quality level and product
Our business objective is to strengthen the online distribution channel and to increase sales revenue by 30 percent. At the same time, our marketing objective is to increase the awareness and the usage of mobile shopping application. We will market the new virtual fitting room features to our target audience who want to have access to new products faster and able to mix and match products on personalized mannequin and who does not want to wait in the long line in front of fitting room. The marketing strategy is consist of Social Media, Email Marketing, In app messaging, Search Engine Optimization, Promotion, Product tie-in and Sponsorship
Visual Merchandisers have many employment options available in many different sectors. I believe that displays are all encompassing. It is the little details that culminate a theme or feel that makes customers want to shop at a particular store and have a certain type of experience. It is about making an environment inviting, whether that environment is a store, a party, a home, etc. I strongly believe that there is so much inspiration in the world that can be used to create compelling store displays that provoke consumers to shop and help maximize a store’s profit. This is an interesting field where not only artistic skills are necessary, but also the ability to merchandise the sales floor and make every visual aspect of a store
He is also responsible in popularizing the phrase “Virtual Reality”. Just a year later, the phrase “Augmented Reality” (AR) was phrased out by Tom Caudell while he was at Boeing, helping workers assemble cables into aircrafts.
Since approximately 90% of cues provided by an environment are digested through sight (Edwards & Shackley, 1992), more than ever it is a vital time for retailers to be reviewing their strategies with respects to their Visual Merchandise Guidelines. Continuously, consumers are opting to take their purchases online rather than experiencing the physical store environment. With constant innovative technologies, retailers are finding novel ways to recreate the in-store environment on-screen; with the high street being described as acting on ‘borrowed time’ (guardian 2012). Retailers, such as New Look, are keen to add any service that can generate sales and win intensified competitive share; it is therefore crucial that the Visual Merchandise