From Virtual to Reality: How Augmented Reality is transforming the Furniture Industry
In recent years, technology has been transforming the way we live and work, and the furniture industry is no exception. Augmented Reality (AR) is quickly becoming a game-changer in this industry by allowing customers to visualize furniture in their homes before making a purchase. This technology enables shoppers to experience a virtual representation of the furniture and assess how it fits with their existing decor and space. In this article, we will explore how AR is transforming the furniture industry and the impact it is having on the shopping experience.
Stefan Hackl,
03.04.2023
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How AR works for furniture pieces
Augmented Reality (AR) technology for furniture pieces works by overlaying virtual 3D furniture models onto a live video feed of the user's physical space, using a smartphone or tablet camera. This allows the user to see how a piece of furniture would look and fit in their actual space before making a purchase.
In general AR technology can also offer interactive features such as the ability to change the color, texture or size of the virtual furniture to get a better idea of how it would look in the real world. This configuration feature is also available at Roomle. AR for furniture is an efficient and engaging tool for both customers and retailers, as it can help customers make more informed purchasing decisions and reduce the number of returns due to wrong sizing or style.
3.5 Benefits of Augmented Reality
1. Enhanced Product Visualization
Augmented Reality technology can provide customers with a realistic, interactive, and immersive experience by allowing them to view 3D models of furniture in their own space through a mobile device. This helps customers make more informed decisions about furniture purchases by giving them a better sense of how the product will look in their homes.
2. Reduced Returns and Increased Sales
With AR, customers can see how the furniture looks and fits in their space before purchasing, reducing the risk of returns due to wrong sizing, color or style. AR can also encourage impulse buying, as customers can visualize how a piece will look in their home and may be more likely to make a purchase.
3. Better Customer Engagement
The use of AR in the furniture industry can help create a more engaging customer experience, as it provides an interactive and innovative way for customers to browse and shop for furniture. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive brand reputation.
3.5 Cost Savings via Virtual Showrooms
AR technology can help furniture companies save money by reducing the need for physical showrooms or expensive product photography. Virtual showrooms and 3D product models can be created at a fraction of the cost, making it easier for smaller companies to compete with larger ones in terms of marketing and customer engagement.
Comparison between Augmented Reality pre-pandemic and post-pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the way people shop for furniture, with many traditional brick-and-mortar stores being forced to close or limit their operations. In response, the furniture industry has increasingly turned to digital technologies such as Augmented Reality to provide customers with an immersive and engaging shopping experience from the comfort of their own homes.
With the use of AR, customers can now visualize how furniture would look in their homes without physically being present in a showroom or store. This has allowed for a more convenient, safer, and socially distanced shopping experience during the pandemic.
Furthermore, the use of AR in the furniture industry has helped companies differentiate themselves from their competitors and increase customer engagement and satisfaction, ultimately leading to increased sales and revenue. Even now, that the pandemic has been declared as over in most countries in the world, the numbers of people rather shopping online than in live stores keep on rising. It is highly likely that AR technology will continue to play an important role in the furniture industry's efforts to adapt and thrive in a post-COVID world.
The only 3 numbers you need to know when it comes to AR
Over 40% of users...
... would pay more if they had Augmented Reality as part of their online furniture shopping experience.
Approximately 60% of users...
... indicate a greater shopping experience when using AR than users who do not use AR.
With 60% of all users...
... the furniture industry has the most demand for Augmented Reality out of all industries, surpassing the clothing industry by 5%.
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For further information, please contact us directly: michaela.fraundorfer@roomle.com.