Tech and shopping: How to mix both for a wonderful experience

It’s Digital Darwinism. Survival of the most adaptable to change. And the change in how people are using technology to communicate, connect, and discover is happening much faster today. Faster than businesses can naturally adapt.

Retail and e-commerce businesses are also adopting technology to their advantage. From proposed drone delivery of items ordered online, to interactive self-check-in at airports, technology is playing a much more crucial role in managing the interface between the shopper and the seller.

With around-the-clock shopping access and all technologies and digital services that roll out in stores, consumer expectations shift. These transformations create a richer experience for consumers. They are also leveraging new technologies like AR and IoT and incorporating innovative payment systems to transform the shopping experience.

Several solutions that took the whole buying experience to the next level have reinvented commerce. So let’s see in detail how technology is creating a wonderful shopping experience for customers:

AI-based voice assistants

AI is automating and customizing the retail experience, aiming to make shopping much easier for the consumer. For instance, AI-based Voice activation. Whether it's instructing your Google Home to buy you things or asking Siri to search for a product online, voice control has gained immense popularity amongst customers. One estimate says voice-activated assistants will skyrocket from 500 million current users to 1.8 billion by 2021. Now that smartphones and people are inseparable, a voice interface is a big step in the shopping evolution. Ordering and shopping using natural speech is faster and allows people to enhance their purchasing experience.

Virtual try-on and body measurement technologies

We all are aware- when it comes to new products, getting customers to imagine a new look or color on themselves is a critical element of the buying process. Augmented Reality provides for a ‘try-before-you-buy’ options for customers. With its help, users can ‘try’ hundreds of products and decide according to their choice. Customers can easily try these products at the comfort of their fingertips. This AR-based technology allows the customers to see themselves in the latest pair of shoes, eyewear, outfits, jewellery, makeup, or even a tattoo. It helps to save time as they are no longer needed to physically visit an outlet.

With combined technologies like AI, ML, and Computer vision, today not only the user’s facial analysis like shape, color, texture, or measurements can be done, but also body measurements, helping customers with recommendations on what suits them and fits them. This is turning out to be great when it comes to customer satisfaction and immersive experience.

In-store solution using AI cum augmented reality

Ever wondered, in this highly digitized world, how do we ensure walk-in  customers are engaged with consultative advisory, so they are not lost with hundreds of products displayed in the store? How do you drive loyalty and stickiness to your store?

When technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Augmented reality, gamification with 3D modeling combined, power-full products like Virtual Mirror, AR driven in store-shopping will emerge. It is enabling customers to select an intersection of what they like vs what suits them. Customers can now Try-On different products like Apparel, watches, makeup, jewellry other fashion accessories without even having to touch them with fitment and styling advisory, had we ever thought of such a transformation a couple of decades ago?

Redefined checkout experience

Long lines at checkout sections are a big turn-off and can result in customers abandoning their purchases. That’s why retailers have already been automating it in various ways. Several convenience stores have been using self-checkout machines. It is providing a more convenient shopping experience with less human interaction and is definitely everyone’s favorite.

The cashier-less stores are taking automated checkout to a whole new level. With the usage of cameras, computer vision technology, and smart shelf sensors, they track shoppers and their activities so that they don’t have to wait in the queue to pay for what they want to purchase. At some brands, computer vision can be followed by face recognition. With its use, customers won’t even need to scan their phones to pay for the products - faces can be matched with their digital wallets.

Real-time customization

Imagine going into a store where the salespeople know your name, what you like, and recommend items accordingly. More often, it will make you feel special and valued. Yes, Real-Time Customization is a way to provide a different, customized experience to every customer, during every visit. It uses different verticals like buying personas, preferences, demographics, and geographic location to personalize messages instantly. It helps to personalize customers’ services and offer an impactful customer experience. Also, customers can receive various discounts and offers according to their interests and locations.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, technology plays a very important role in easing the online shopping experience. Whether it’s about a mobile-friendly interface, secure online payment mechanism, or helpful voice assistants, shoppers can now make the most of technological advancements to make their shopping experience enjoyable and smooth which is not going anywhere soon.

By Kavita Jha, Co-Founder, KiksAR