How does AR increase furniture online sales by 112%? | 3Dlink Showroom
For many of you, the origin of “Augmented Reality,” or AR, probably comes from the phenomenal mobile game: “Pokémon GO” released by Niantic in 2016. Its combination of digital monsters and real scenes unblocks the boundary between reality and the virtual world. Pokémon GO soon went viral after its release and thus formed people’s stereotypes that AR was born with games and social applications. However, AR obtains high commercial value in the retail industry. This article shares how furniture industry can apply AR to e-commerce and improve online sales.
Why does AR matter for the furniture industry?
1. Provide more seamless and personal experience in New Retail
“New Retail” enhances customer experience by integrating online and offline with data-driven technology. Through web tracking tools, brands can interpret consumer behaviors as their needs and polish a better shopping experience at each stage. Those indicate that e-commerce experience will focus on a “customer-oriented” rather than “product-oriented” in the future. For example, when consumers want to evaluate whether the furniture material is suitable for their room decoration, what kind of services can merchants provide to eliminate doubts? You can call and make an appointment at a physical store or ask an interior designer for an evaluation. Nonetheless, the longer the time passes, the less possibility the purchase will be fulfilled.
Through AR technology, consumers can instantly use the camera of their smartphones or tablets to try out the 3D furniture model in their own space. For example, they are able to confirm whether the size, material, and style are a perfect match. AR try-on brings brands closer to consumers and shortens the distance between product consideration and purchase to increase conversions.
2. Significantly reduce operating costs and increase revenue
The survey argues that the return cost is 66% of the original product price. Even if the item is returned in good condition, the entire returns process will still be costly because of the required labor, transport, and inspection. DigitalBridge states that if consumers use AR visualization before purchasing, it will reduce the return rate by 39%, thereby saving return costs. In addition to this, AR technology is expected to reduce operational risks. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the furniture supply chain, and nearly 60% of consumers have changed their original furniture shopping channels. DFS, the largest furniture retailer in the UK, achieved a 22 times ROI in AR. Compared to shoppers not using the AR, AR shopping saw a 112% increase in conversion rate and a 106% increase in revenue per visit. Meanwhile, IKEA acquired the AI&AR company Geometrical Labs to continue to improve the original AR try-on service: IKEA Place.
3. Seize the e-commerce dividends of smart devices
According to the “2023 Global Consumer Insights” released by PwC, 51% of consumers use smartphones or tablets to shop. It surpasses 43% of physical stores and 23% of desktop shoppers, meaning that shopping trends will move toward personal devices. In addition, the spatial computing device Vision Pro, released by Apple this year, is presumed to create an immersive 3D shopping experience. In short, a brand can seize more than half of the consumer market if it provides a prominent shopping experience on personal devices.
What does AR application look like in the furniture sales?
1. Furniture size try-on
More than 90% of iOS and Android smart devices support AR natively, and AR’s core technique, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), allows users to mark, scale, and rotate objects with ease.
2. Furniture material try-on
AR’s real-time materials previewing at home effectively helps consumers evaluate products and suitability, simplifying time and cost. Moreover, the material rendering will be more natural as the smart devices’ performance improves. Therefore, the simulation effect will be more reliable for customers.
3. Collect 3D browsing data
Enterprises can also use the 3D showroom to record consumers’ shopping behaviors, such as the click rate of the extendable chair back, the microfibres, and the camera’s viewing angle. These leading indicators aim to understand what consumers care most about, thereby making better sales strategies.
AR is a must-equipped to increase furniture online sales
AR technology provides seamless customer experience and differentiates your furniture e-commerce from others. From trying out furniture to change materials in real time, it shows the brand’s consumers consideration and eliminates their shopping uncertainties, which further improves the shopping conversion rate. To sum up, AR will be the key to stand out from the furniture online sales.
3Dlink provides AR implementation services like 3D Furniture Showroom. Book a demo with us will not only help consumers transform their homes, but also create a seamless and considerate shopping experience for them.
