virtual store Archives

Capturing a New Generation of Consumers: Insights from eTail West 2024

Posted on March 7, 2024March 25, 2024 by sammi

At eTail West 2024, Obsess’ CEO and Founder, Neha Singh, joined a panel with retail leaders from Nike and ThirdLove to discuss the evolution of online retail and its future. The conversation, centered on attracting and engaging the next generation of consumers, took a deep dive into some of the innovative strategies that are setting new benchmarks for the industry.

Neha’s participation was driven by Obsess’ commitment to understanding the unique shopping preferences and digital behaviors of younger consumers. This demographic’s expectations are shaped by rapid technological advancements and a seamless blend of online and offline experiences. The panel provided a platform to discuss how brands are pioneering new ways to captivate this audience.

Leading with Virtual Stores in a Gaming-Native World

One of the highlights of the discussion was the emphasis on virtual stores and their significance in engaging a gaming-native audience.

With more than 80% of consumers today saying that they play video games, and an even higher percentage for Gen Z, the integration of gamification into shopping experiences is not just innovative—it’s essential. Obsess’ virtual store platform represents the forefront of this integration, offering immersive, interactive environments that draw on the engagement mechanics of video games.

During the panel, Neha shared how Obsess-powered virtual stores are designed to make shopping more dynamic and personalized, incorporating features like in-scene videos, dynamic merchandising and AI-powered content. This approach resonates deeply with a demographic that values engaging, interactive digital experiences, bridging the gap between gaming and shopping to create a memorable, captivating online environment.

The Future of Shoppable Video and AI Personalization

The panel also discussed the untapped potential of shoppable video in the U.S. and the transformative impact it has had in other markets. The conversation ventured into the role of AI in retail, particularly in personalizing the shopping journey.

At Obsess, we’re leveraging AI to revolutionize how consumers discover products, using new technologies such as virtual assistants and AI-powered recommendation engines that provide tailored shopping experiences. This technology is instrumental in meeting the demands for personalization among younger consumers, offering them recommendations and experiences that align with their unique preferences and shopping behaviors.

Shaping the Future of Online Retail

The discussions at eTail West 2024 underscored the transformative impact of emerging technologies on online retail. As companies continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in e-commerce, online customer experiences will only continue to get better and more akin to real life.

By embracing new technologies, such as 3D virtual stores and AI-driven personalization, brands are poised to not only respond to the evolving needs of the next generation of consumers; they will actively lead retail into its next era.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest retail technology insights? Follow @Obsess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/obsess/.

The Retail Technology Trends Predicted to Dominate 2024

Posted on January 8, 2024January 8, 2024 by sammi

We are only a few short days into 2024 but, as always, the retail industry is already looking toward its next evolution. While 2023 was defined by a mass awakening to the power and availability of AI and machine learning, 2024 will take these learnings and employ them at scale to deepen personalization efforts and bring customer-centricity further into the forefront. Retailers will look to create hyper-personalized, differentiated, valuable customer experiences that focus on brand memorability and meaning. Obsess predicts that 2024 retail technologies will revolve around four primary trends:

The advent of spatial computing with Apple’s new Vision Pro device.
A persistent growth in AI-driven personalization and predictive content.
Gamification’s triumph as a necessity in online shopping.
The evolution of dynamic merchandising strategies to enhance customer engagement and drive cross-selling initiatives.

Retail Technology Trend Prediction #1: 2024’s newest buzz phrase will be: “spatial computing,” courtesy of Apple Vision Pro.

The new year is set to embrace the mainstream emergence of “spatial computing,” marked by Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro device. This technology—driven by enhanced processors, ultra-high definition and global network speeds—promises revolutionary immersive shopping experiences. By integrating 3D digital interfaces mirroring human interactions, spatial computing transcends conventional online shopping encounters.

The arrival of Apple Vision Pro heralds a new era by seamlessly merging virtual and physical realms through a blend of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This device allows products to appear life-size in a user’s physical space via AR, enabling interaction through intuitive gestures with eyes, hands and voice. Although positioned at a premium price point, it aligns naturally with brands targeting innovation or luxury customers, typically gaining traction through early app store downloads.

Over the next year and the subsequent five or so years, expect spatial computing devices and apps to gain widespread adoption—providing a more natural, intuitive, and human-centered way of engaging with technology. The emergence of Apple Vision Pro could very well draw similarities from the advent of the iPhone.

Retail Technology Trend Prediction #2: AI will continue to dominate content creation.

AI continues to hold a pivotal role in crafting highly personalized and predictive content in retail, and even more notably in e-commerce. Advanced algorithms and data analytics decode intricate consumer behaviors, enabling tailored shopping experiences. From intuitive chatbots offering real-time assistance to precise product recommendations, AI-generated content and experiences will continue to enhance engagement and satisfaction aligned to bespoke customer journeys.

Obsess, in partnership with Coresight Research, reported in Q4 2023 that immersive experiences would be a top three priority investment area for brands and retailers during the following 12 months, Within immersive experiences, data/AI-enabled content for personalization ranked as the top investment priority.

According to the report: 71% of US-based brands and retailers have already invested in data/AI-enabled content for personalization. Of these brands and retailers, 77% reported significant or moderate increases in online sales.

Retail Technology Trend Prediction #3: Gamification will go from a nice-to-have to a need-to-have in e-commerce.

In order to stay relevant in 2024: retailers will need to incorporate principles of game play into their online shopping experiences. With over 80% of consumers engaged in video games, integrating gamified shopping experiences becomes pivotal to capturing and retaining younger demographics.

Gamified shopping content will become a direct line for brands to capture the attention of Gen Z. Similar to how social media once served as the ticket to captivate millennials, branded gaming will be the gateway for businesses to connect with Gen Z and younger demographics.

For brands and retailers to thrive in the current shopping landscape, embracing gamification as a core element of their digital approach will be crucial. Obsess has created over 300 virtual stores for brands, and the data from these stores proves that when brands add gamification into their virtual shopping experiences; they increase shoppers’ likelihood to add to cart by 10X, compared to when they do not include the feature at all.

Retail Technology Trend Prediction #4: Dynamic merchandising will elevate customer engagement.

Online retail strategies in 2024 will lean toward more dynamic merchandising, emboldened by data-driven insights and AI-driven analytics. Digital marketplaces will adeptly adjust product displays and content in real-time to show a wider, yet more tailored, assortment. These immersive displays will not only increase engagement and retention, but they will also unlock new opportunities for cross-sells and up-sells.

Virtual stores are types of immersive 3D experiences that harness spatial analytics, enabling the continuous fine-tuning of shopping environments using live data. Similar to physical store setups, virtual store managers can analyze browsing and buying patterns by rearranging products in diverse sections of the 3D space efficiently and cost-effectively.

Summarizing the trends that will shape the future of retail technology.

2024 promises to redefine the retail technology landscape with:

Apple Vision Pro leading spatial computing advancements.
AI’s continued dominance in crafting hyper-personalized content.
The imperative integration of gaming principles into online shopping.
Dynamic merchandising strategies that enhance engagement and cross-sells in e-commerce.

Brands and retailers that embrace these trends will cement their roles as critical players in the next generation of online shopping.

Insights into Immersive Experiences in Retail, based on a 2023 Survey

Posted on January 8, 2024January 9, 2024 by sammi

In the rapidly evolving world of retail, the integration of immersive experiences has emerged as a pivotal strategy to captivate and engage consumers. In Q4 2023, Obsess partnered with Coresight Research to conduct a study of 150 retail decision-makers, which sought to understand how retailers are thinking about immersive experiences—including how they are prioritizing investments, and which types of results they are seeing.

The full report is available to download for free here.

The report’s findings forecast the AR market to soar to $31.3 billion by 2027. Meanwhile, the VR market, though smaller, is set for significant growth, projected to escalate from $12.9 billion in 2023 to $20.7 billion by 2027. The growth rate of VR is notably 1.5 times greater than that of AR, highlighting a compelling trend in technological advancement and consumer adoption.

However, what makes this growth even more compelling is the insight derived from the survey conducted among industry respondents. More than half of all surveyed brands and retailers indicated that they would increase their investment in immersive experiences during the next three years. Likewise, an overwhelming 86% of respondents indicated a definite intent to increase their investment in immersive experiences over the next 10 years.

This high planned adoption rate within the next few years highlights an urgency around investing in immersive experiences. Despite economic challenges, surveyed brands and retailers have signaled that they will continue to invest in immersive experiences, emphasizing the value that companies believe they stand to gain from investing in this area.

Immersive experiences encompass a wide spectrum—from virtual stores and VR/AR-enabled try-on to AI-driven content for personalization and social shopping.

The impact of virtual stores is tangible, with an impressive 88% uplift in sales after investing in virtual stores. Likewise, brands partnering with Obsess witness up to 10X longer session times in virtual stores compared to traditional e-commerce platforms.

The survey identified seven types of immersive experiences, with four emerging as front-runners in revolutionizing consumer engagement within retail.

Interestingly, virtual try-on, virtual fashion shows/events, and livestreaming are already well-established immersive experiences in the market. The remaining four—virtual stores, gamified shopping experiences, social shopping, and data/AI-enabled content for personalization—are gaining traction among brands and retailers as innovative avenues to boost sales and enrich consumer interactions.

The survey delved into the considerations that companies planning to invest in each type of immersive experience deemed most critical within the upcoming 12 months. Notably:

Virtual Stores and Gamified Shopping Experiences: Retailers prioritize a seamless user experience, with a “user-friendly interface” ranking high. Additionally, the importance of “mobile responsiveness” underscores the shift towards catering to mobile-savvy consumers.
Data/AI-enabled Content for Personalization: Companies emphasize tailored engagement, leveraging data insights for personalization. Notably, “data analytics and insights” top the list for virtual stores, signaling a shift towards leveraging consumer behavior data, similar to the approach used in physical stores.
Social Shopping: Cost emerges as a critical factor, potentially attributed to expenses related to creator-generated content, celebrity endorsements, and user-community activities.

These insights underscore a strategic shift in how retailers perceive and approach immersive experiences. Beyond the technological novelty, companies prioritize aspects that directly impact consumer engagement and satisfaction, aiming to minimize friction and enhance the overall experience.

The report illuminates the evolving landscape of immersive experiences in retail, offering a roadmap for businesses aiming to navigate and harness the potential of new technologies. The integration of immersive experiences into retail is not merely a trend but a strategic imperative, aligning with the evolving preferences of modern consumers. As businesses invest in these technologies, they aim to not only boost sales but also glean invaluable insights into consumer behavior, enabling more informed marketing strategies and innovative approaches to store layout and inventory management.

Download the full report here.

Virtual Store Spotlight: Holiday World of J.Crew

Posted on December 15, 2023January 12, 2024 by Akanksha Adlakha

The classic American fashion retailer, J.Crew, introduces its second Obsess-powered virtual store. With a holiday-inspired ambiance, the World of J.Crew transitions into a digital après-ski retreat. Users can navigate the Snow Lodge for the newest women’s styles and the Ski Chalet for men’s—an immersive digital expedition delving into the brand’s essence and seasonal offerings.

This immersive experience incorporates a variety of interactive elements and several rooms designed to present J.Crew’s merchandise in innovative ways. Within the Gifting Suite, users can click on gift boxes to unveil a selection of the most festive products. The Catalog Archives room is designed to offer brand enthusiasts a unique chance to test their knowledge through a branded quiz exploring the celebrated archives of J.Crew catalogs, fostering a connection with the brand’s long and storied heritage.

Dynamic animations captivate users throughout, and the scavenger hunt invites shoppers to collect J.Crew ski passes, unlocking a chance at an exclusive luxe cashmere giveaway. The Party Room provides an ideal backdrop for the brand’s festive women’s party products, highlighted in the season’s vibrant red hue. Adding an extra layer of excitement, the store features a vintage video game-style Ski Racing Game, challenging players to navigate a skier through a series of slopes obstacles. The brand’s curated selection of seasonal looks and holiday gifts is seamlessly woven into the experience, offering a fully shoppable journey.

In the prior edition, as a tribute to 40 years of American style, J.Crew engaged its community with a virtual flagship store—the J.Crew Virtual Beach House. This immersive experience showcased the brand’s products within classic-themed print rooms, ranging from the stripe room to the floral room. Users were encouraged to test their knowledge with a pop quiz and participate in a scavenger hunt to unlock access to the Secret Lighthouse, revealing exclusive content.

Looking to build a virtual flagship of your own? Book a demo with the Obsess team today.

Virtual Store Spotlight: Sephora x Cosmopolitan Gifting Suite

Posted on November 27, 2023January 12, 2024 by Akanksha Adlakha

This holiday season, renowned Hearst publication Cosmopolitan introduces an innovative experience in collaboration with Sephora—a virtual gifting suite designed to redefine fragrance content and shopping. Whether one is seeking a scent for personal indulgence or as a sophisticated gift, this suite promises a blend of luxury and personal discovery, setting a new standard for olfactory experiences in the beauty industry.

Sephora x Cosmopolitan Virtual Gifting Experience Powered by Obsess

Central to this virtual experience is the iconic Cosmopolitan quiz, expertly fashioned to reveal unique scent profiles. Shoppers are invited to engage with a series of questions, thoughtfully designed to unravel the nuances of their fragrance preferences and personal style.

Following the quiz, shoppers seamlessly transition to explore a curated selection of note-categorized, directly shoppable products housed within the suite. This assortment is thoughtfully arranged and easily navigable, ensuring a shopping experience that aligns with individual tastes and preferences of users across “floral,” “earthy and woody,” as well as “warm and spicy” notes.

Want to create an innovative and engaging digital experience that builds brand affinity while delivering a more memorable, immersive shopping experience? Book a demo to discover our platform.

Virtual Store Spotlight: Crate & Barrel Flagship for Furniture and Homeware

Posted on November 16, 2023January 12, 2024 by sammi

Crate & Barrel, the household name synonymous with exquisite furniture and homeware, has embarked on an innovative journey, breaking the barriers of traditional retail for home brands. The home goods company has launched its first-ever immersive virtual flagship store, in collaboration with Obsess. This groundbreaking initiative promises a transformative shopping experience for customers worldwide.

The virtual store, an exact replica of Crate & Barrel’s new physical flagship store situated in the vibrant Flatiron neighborhood of New York City, transcends the limitations of conventional online shopping. Boasting a fully rendered space using Obsess’s patented 3D technology, this architectural marvel offers more than just a digital catalog. It’s a dynamic, interactive environment replete with engaging animations and personalized tools that enable customers to curate their dream living spaces.

One of the key highlights of this virtual experience is the ability for patrons to customize their own sofa sets and design their ideal living rooms. Through intuitive personalization tools, customers can visualize and tailor furniture arrangements to suit their unique preferences, transforming their visions into virtual reality.

Additionally, the store features an innovative option allowing customers to craft bespoke bouquets by selecting vases and botanicals from Crate & Barrel’s extensive collection. This level of customization adds a touch of personal flair, enabling individuals to infuse their spaces with a distinct personality.

Obsess has brought to life over 450 shoppable products within eight interactive room environments. From dining areas to kitchen setups, living rooms, botanical shops, and spaces dedicated to Crate & Kids, this virtual haven mirrors the versatility and richness of the physical flagship store.

“We’re excited to partner with Obsess on this groundbreaking venture, offering our online customers an unprecedented way to engage with our brand,” stated Sebastian Brauer, Senior VP of Product Design at Crate & Barrel. “This immersive tour enables our global clientele to envision and experience our new flagship in NYC, fostering creativity and inspiration in designing their ideal spaces.”

The virtual store transports visitors into a vivid, 360-degree rendition of the physical flagship at 881 Broadway, housed in a historically significant building dating back to 1868. Maintaining neoclassical columns and a volcanic ash tile wall, this homage to the city’s heritage merges seamlessly with contemporary retail innovation, creating an immersive journey through time and design.

Neha Singh, Founder and CEO of Obsess, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting how the virtual store empowers online customers to indulge in a sensory-rich shopping escapade. “Every element and product within the environment is available for purchase, offering customers a lifelike experience that transcends the typical online shopping journey.”

Furthermore, the virtual store introduces a Design Desk, a hub for customers seeking expert guidance and design services. Visitors can engage with Crate & Barrel’s design experts virtually, in-store, or within the comfort of their homes, fostering engagement and collaborative conversations that bring their visions to fruition.

In an era where technology merges seamlessly with retail, Crate & Barrel’s immersive virtual store stands as a testament to innovation, redefining the art of shopping and paving the way for the future of retail experiences worldwide. To explore this innovative virtual store and indulge in a truly immersive shopping experience, visit Crate & Barrel’s Virtual Flagship Store.

Looking to build a virtual flagship of your own? Book a demo with the Obsess team today.

Virtual Store Spotlight: H-E-B Grocery Holiday Home

Posted on November 15, 2023November 16, 2023 by Akanksha Adlakha

H-E-B, the beloved Texas-based grocery chain, has launched its first-ever virtual store, transforming the way customers can now experience grocery shopping. Step into their Holiday Home to experience an immersive wonderland of flavors, recipes and holiday products that unfold through interactive features.

The experience itself takes inspiration from the warm and inviting interiors of Texas-style homes, adorned with festive decorations and a variety of products available for holiday shopping. The space is expansive, featuring multiple rooms including the Living Room, Kitchen, Coffee Nook, Den, Dining Room, and a Backyard. Upon entering, users are greeted by virtual chef avatars ready to guide shoppers through delicious recipes. An assortment of recipe pop-ups, covering appetizers, main dishes, sides and desserts, is showcased throughout the experience. Each pop-up is complemented by shoppable links, offering a seamless way to add ingredients to cart with a single click. Users can further engage in an educational adventure through incentivized game play in the form of a scavenger hunt. The interactive game unveils facts about H-E-B and its rich history. The completion of the hunt unlocks exclusive holiday deals, transforming the experience into a rewarding journey of discovery and savings.

The virtual experience further provides the brand a platform to spotlight its philanthropic endeavors through interactive content, such as the Feast of Sharing—an annual event where free holiday meals are distributed. Concluding the virtual exploration is the Mi Tienda Patio, an exclusive room designed to envelop visitors in Mexican-inspired flavors and aromas. Here, a carefully curated collection of products and decor authentically captures the essence of this vibrant culinary tradition.

Want to create an innovative and engaging digital experience that builds brand affinity while delivering a more memorable, immersive shopping experience? Book a demo to discover our platform.

Virtual Store Spotlight: Babylist Beverly Hills Showroom

Posted on October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 by Akanksha Adlakha

In a bid to revolutionize the baby registry experience, Babylist introduced their latest virtual experience—a replica of their Beverly Hills showroom. This two-floor, multi-room photorealistic store introduces a host of interactive features designed to enhance the registry creation process.

A standout highlight of the experience is the interactive map, designed to guide users through its extensive layout. As users navigate through the store, the progress bar advances to visually mark their journey through different sections, ensuring an intuitive and engaging experience. Upon entering, visitors have the opportunity to schedule in-person appointments, as well as the chance to take part in a sweepstakes for a $500 gift card.

The extensive range of products range from Apparel, Sleep and Travel categories, all accompanied by detailed product descriptions. Shoppers have the convenience of adding these items directly to their registries, streamlining the overall experience. What distinguishes this shopping journey is the social media integration. Throughout the store, users will find strategically placed YouTube How-To tutorials and captivating TikTok videos, spotlighting trending products and influencers.

The experience further elevates visitor interactions with gamification. For soon-to-be parents, the AI-driven “Baby Name Generator” is a tool that assists in the quest for the perfect baby name. “Guess The Price” is quiz that engages users by determining their level of Babylist expertise. Players are given one change to accurately guess product prices, while also giving them the convenience of adding the same products directly to their registry.

Looking to create an innovative and engaging digital experience that builds brand affinity while delivering a more memorable, gamified shopping experience? Book a demo!

Virtual Stores for the Automotive Industry

Posted on June 30, 2023July 6, 2023 by sammi

Virtual car showrooms have revolutionized the way we shop for cars, offering an immersive and educational buying journey. Through advanced visualizations, comprehensive information and personalized guidance, consumers can explore and select their dream car while avoiding the traditional high-pressure sales tactics. By the time buyers schedule an in-person test drive, they are already equipped with knowledge and confidence, leading to a more rewarding and efficient car-buying experience. Empower your shoppers to discover, explore and select their dream car at their own pace, from anywhere in the world with Obsess virtual showrooms for automotive brands.

1. Embrace Immersion

Virtual car showrooms provide a visually captivating and interactive experience that transports potential buyers into a virtual automotive wonderland. With high-quality 3D models, realistic animations and detailed visualizations, consumers can explore every angle and detail of their desired car, as if they were physically present at a dealership. From the exterior design to the interior features, buyers can visualize their future car in stunning detail, creating a strong emotional connection before making any commitments.

2. Education at Your Fingertips

One of the key advantages of virtual showrooms is the wealth of information readily available to consumers. Instead of relying solely on salespeople and printed brochures for product knowledge, buyers can digitally access comprehensive details about each car’s specifications, features and performance. Virtual showrooms will include informative pop-ups, videos and interactive elements that provide valuable insights. This immersive yet educational experience ensures that shoppers are well-informed about the cars they are considering, and empowers consumers to make educated decisions based on their preferences and needs.

3. Personalized Guidance

Virtual car showrooms also offer personalized guidance, tailored to individual preferences. Intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants can interact with consumers, answering questions, providing recommendations and guiding them through the car selection process. By understanding the buyer’s requirements and preferences, these virtual assistants can suggest suitable models, compare different options and help users narrow down their choices. The result is a hyper-personalized and efficient shopping experience.

4. Stress-Free Decision Making

Virtual showrooms alleviate the stress often associated with the traditional car-buying process by empowering buyers to explore at their own pace. Buyers can take their time with various models, comparing features and envisioning themselves behind the wheel. Without the pressure of an eager salesperson pushing for a quick sale, consumers can make decisions with clarity and confidence. This relaxed atmosphere fosters a positive buying experience, ensuring that buyers feel empowered and satisfied with their choices.

5. Convenient Test Drive Scheduling

Once buyers have thoroughly explored their desired car virtually, the next step is scheduling an in-person test drive. Virtual showrooms simplify this process by integrating with the dealership’s booking systems. With a few clicks, users can select a convenient time slot and book their test drive, minimizing the hassle of coordinating schedules over the phone or in person. By the time buyers arrive for their test drive, they are already well-acquainted with the car, making the experience more focused and productive.

To learn more about how Obsess virtual stores can be used in the car buying journey, and empower your consumers through increased education, contact our team at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.