Tag Archives: Augmented Reality

Tesco to free up shelf space with augmented reality trial | VIDEO

Tesco is trialling augmented reality technology in its stores and online offering as it looks to sell more bulky products, including consumer electronics, without sacrificing shelf space and to reduce returns.

Consumers can use the in-store technology to generate a 3D image of a product and find out its specifications by holding a product key or Tesco Direct catalogue up to a webcam.

The webcam is connected to a computer terminal, which will display the product information on a screen and remove the necessity for displaying the physical products on shelves.

Software for the technology has been developed by British-based Kishino.

Customers can choose to buy the product in-store or order it to be delivered to their homes via Tesco Direct if it is not in stock.

The strategy behind the concept is to integrate augmented reality into the everyday shopping experience.

Augmented reality-compatible computer terminals are being trialled in the entertainment and electronics sections of Tesco stores.

There are currently seven stores that have the augmented reality terminals in entertainment sections and five that have them in the electronics section.

Their locations include Wembley, Milton Keynes and Boreham Wood.

Some 40 products are being trialled in the augmented reality initiative including televisions and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Lego.

The augmented reality technology will allow customers to spin the virtual TV around to see the connector points on the back and get an idea of the size of the television.

Tesco is also trialling the use of wi-fi in some of its stores, which it claims has been a success and is expected to be rolled out further.

Tesco will also encourage consumers to use the technology on their home computers by holding up the Tesco Direct catalogue to their webcams, after installing an augmented reality plug-in.

The supermarket chain also hopes the use of augmented reality on customers’ home desktops will reduce the number of returns, as customers can get an idea of the size of the product before ordering online.

The software requires a two-way camera meaning, it is currently only compatible with desktop computers or mobile devices that have the two-way capabilities, which includes the iPad and latest iPhones.

via Tesco to free up shelf space with augmented reality trial – Marketing news – Marketing magazine.

Augmented Reality or Augmented Retail?

Is AR (Augmented Reality) in-store systems going to help retailers to boost sales? It would be interesting to know your opinion, in the meanwhile, watch these two interesting videos.

Kinetic Fitting Room by AR Room at the Topshop flagship store in Moscow

Cisco demo allowing shoppers to try on clothes via augmented reality, all enabled by interactive digital signage

Is augmented reality the future of retail?

Global revenues from augmented reality (AR) applications and services are projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2015, according to Pocket-lint.com

Augmented reality is a term for a live direct or an indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input, such as sound or graphics.

Tissot watches has had success implementing an AR campaign. By placing a dummy watch around your wrist, which has a code on the face, and holding it in front of your webcam, the app displays it on the screen as a virtual, 1:1 scale version. The benefit is you get to “try on” the watches to see which suits you best before purchasing.

Holition, AR, 3D and future technology creative agency, which is based in East London, is responsible for the campaign.

“What we’re trying to do with the worn-on-the-body applications is enable a real business functionality for it. It engages consumers, it enables people to understand the product and therefore it enables them to take that step closer to purchasing the product as well,” said Lynne Murray, brand manager at Holition.

“Tissot’s brand public relations grew 600 percent through the campaign compared to 100 percent growth that they usually expect to achieve. So, even as a communication tool, it’s a hugely engaging way for brands to have another and new point of contact with its audience. AR is a new way of communicating socially, a new way of getting people on board with the brand.”

Murray expects these types of technologies to give way to a fully integrated retail experience in the not too distant future. (Source: Retailcustomerexperience.com)