AR-Commerce – See It, Love It, Place It

Online shopping has always been convenient, but it has struggled to replicate the tangibility of in-store experiences. What if you could see how a product looks on you or in your space before buying it? AR-Commerce, powered by augmented reality, is bridging this gap, transforming the way we shop online and blending the digital and physical worlds.

AR-commerce allows consumers to interact with products in 3D, bringing items to life in their space or on their person. This innovative “phygital” approach makes shopping more interactive, engaging, and personal, creating a highly customized and seamless journey.

What Is AR-Commerce?

AR-commerce integrates augmented reality into e-commerce, enabling customers to visualize and try products before making a purchase. This includes:

• Virtual Try-On: Shoppers can use AR technology to see how products like clothing, shoes, or makeup look on them in real-time. Whether it’s trying on a dress or a pair of sneakers, AR-commerce eliminates the guesswork of online shopping.

• Virtual Try-Out: Products like furniture, appliances, or home decor can be projected into shoppers’ real-world environments, helping them make confident choices about size, fit, and style.

For instance, Gucci’s AR sneaker try-on app lets customers see shoes on their feet, resulting in five times more app engagement and a tripling of new users, with over 25% visiting stores. Similarly, Amazon’s “View in Your Room” feature has doubled purchase conversions for AR users by helping them visualize furniture in their homes​​.

Why AR-Commerce Is a Game Changer for Retailers

AVirtual try-on and try-out technologies are transforming the retail landscape, offering retailers the opportunity to reimagine how they connect with customers. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to enhance the customer experience. These technologies add a tactile and interactive element to online shopping, allowing customers to visualize products in a way that feels personal and engaging. Whether it’s seeing how a jacket fits or how a sofa looks in their living room, shoppers feel more confident in their decisions. This creates a seamless and enjoyable experience, building trust in the brand and fostering customer loyalty.

Another crucial advantage is the reduction of return rates, a perennial challenge for many retailers, especially in e-commerce. Virtual try-on and try-out solve this issue by enabling customers to make informed choices. By visualizing products before purchase, shoppers are far less likely to end up with items that don’t meet their expectations in size, fit, or style. This not only minimizes the costs and logistical challenges associated with returns but also boosts customer satisfaction, as buyers are happier with their initial choices.

These technologies also enable retailers to expand their reach and accessibility. By offering customers access to an extensive product catalog through virtual tools, retailers can break free from the physical constraints of in-store inventory. This “endless aisle” approach empowers shoppers to explore products that may not even be in stock locally, effectively bringing the entire store to their fingertips. For global audiences, this means connecting with customers no matter where they are, providing a consistent and engaging shopping experience worldwide.

Finally, virtual try-on and try-out strengthen a brand’s position as an innovator. By integrating cutting-edge technology, retailers demonstrate that they are forward-thinking and focused on delivering exceptional experiences to their customers. This not only sets them apart from competitors but also creates lasting impressions, attracting tech-savvy shoppers who value modern, personalized solutions. In an increasingly competitive market, offering virtual try-on and try-out capabilities can be the key to standing out and securing long-term loyalty.

By combining these benefits, AR-commerce is not just reshaping how retailers sell but redefining how they connect with their customers, setting the stage for a new era of shopping.

How AR-Commerce Benefits Shoppers

AR-commerce is redefining the shopping experience for consumers by making it more personal, convenient, and enjoyable. One of its standout advantages is the ability to personalize the shopping journey. Virtual try-on technology allows customers to see how clothing fits their body, how makeup complements their skin tone, or how shoes look on their feet—all in real-time. For virtual try-out, shoppers can visualize how furniture or home decor integrates with their living space, helping them make choices that feel tailored to their preferences and needs. This level of personalization makes every purchase feel deliberate and satisfying.

Another key benefit is the confidence it instills in shoppers. One of the most significant drawbacks of online shopping is the uncertainty of how a product will look or fit in real life. AR-commerce eliminates this guesswork by providing realistic visualizations that allow customers to assess the style, fit, and functionality of a product before purchasing. This not only reduces the stress of decision-making but also lowers the likelihood of buyer’s remorse, creating a more positive shopping experience overall.

Convenience is another major factor driving the appeal of AR-commerce. Shoppers can try on multiple items or test different configurations with just a few taps on their phone or gestures with an AR headset. There’s no need for lengthy trips to the store or the hassle of trying on clothes in cramped fitting rooms. Virtual try-on and try-out make it possible to explore countless options from the comfort of home or even on the go, saving time while still offering a rich and engaging experience.

Finally, AR-commerce injects a sense of fun and interactivity into the shopping process. Instead of browsing static product images, shoppers can immerse themselves in a dynamic, engaging experience that feels more like an adventure than a chore. Whether it’s trying on a bold new outfit or arranging virtual furniture in a room, the process is enjoyable and often shareable. Many AR tools allow customers to capture and share their try-ons with friends or family, adding a social element that enhances the overall experience.

By offering personalization, confidence, convenience, and fun, AR-commerce transforms shopping into a seamless and rewarding activity. It doesn’t just solve the limitations of traditional e-commerce—it elevates the entire process, making it more engaging, empowering, and memorable.

Data-Driven Success: The Case for AR-Commerce Growth

The transformative impact of AR-commerce is backed by compelling data from across industries. For instance, Gucci’s AR sneaker try-on app revolutionized customer engagement, increasing app usage fivefold and driving over 25% of users to visit physical stores. Avon’s virtual try-on for cosmetics, which features over 400 products, led to a staggering 320% increase in conversions, along with a 94% boost in the average number of products viewed and a 33% higher order value per customer.

Similarly, Amazon’s “View in Your Room” feature has doubled purchase conversions, allowing customers to confidently visualize furniture and home decor in their spaces. Saatchi Art has also seen remarkable results, with shoppers who used AR to view artwork in their homes spending 17% more on average and being four times more likely to make a purchase.

The broader market underscores this trend: AR software and services is expected to grow from $74 billion in 2024 to over $333 billion by 2028, reflecting the increasing consumer demand for immersive and interactive shopping experiences. These statistics reveal how AR-commerce is not only reshaping retail but also setting new standards for customer engagement and satisfaction.

The Future of AR-Commerce

AR-commerce isn’t just a trend; it’s the new standard for online shopping. As technology evolves, virtual try-ons and try-outs will become even more sophisticated, with applications like fully virtual showrooms or AR glasses enabling shopping anywhere, anytime.

Retailers who adopt AR-commerce today will redefine the shopping experience, blending the convenience of online shopping with the confidence and interactivity of in-person browsing.

These insights are just a glimpse of the transformation taking place in retail. For a deeper dive into AR-commerce and other game-changing trends, check out my book, The Next Dimension—your guide to the future of shopping and beyond.