Today’s shoppers are smarter. They have the power of technology by their side and are using it to
its fullest to engage in shopping in a new light. This mobile-first audience has become
well-versed and experienced in shopping online. They know the dynamics of technology and the
part it plays in enabling the functioning of the online retail industry. So much so that they are
very keen to adopt any new enhancements or updates that the retail shopping segment brings
their way.
To such an audience, who are always on their feet to experience an engaging online shopping
experience, a great surprise lies ahead: the boom of augmented reality. Online retailers have
always acknowledged the fact that customer experience is of great importance to users. And
accordingly, they have taken all the right measures - right from designing their online platform
and application’s interface to integrating seamless technology. Today, they have their eyes set on
taking it a notch higher by upgrading their online app to that of an augmented reality clothing
application.
Augmented reality is a new-age solution that uses your camera. It is an interactive experience of
where a computer-generated graphic is juxtaposed on to the objects that you see in the real
world. It’s a unique and smart combination of the real and virtual worlds that allows users to
interact with a 3D representation of virtual objects. These objects are seamlessly interwoven with
the physical world - such that they are often experienced as an immersive extension of the real
world.
This technology has the potential to make online shopping a much engaging experience. By
offering users the opportunity to interact with products in realtime and in high-definition, it is
sure to pave the path for the future of online shopping.
WonderFashion is a leading provider for augmented reality solutions to retail fashion players in
today’s fast-changing scenario. And it has gone the distance in making augmented reality
shopping a truly immersive experience.
WonderFashion allows users to build a 3D avatar of themselves online. It asks users to click and
upload a selfie. Its intelligent software then renders this selfie in 3D and applies it to the digital
avatar. Furthermore, by allowing users to change their waist size, shoulder width, skin
complexion and many other details, which the users can see in realtime and make adjustments
accordingly, it lets users build their digital twin.
This digital avatar plays the role of a virtual, personal mannequin on which users can try the
clothes they like. Since the virtual mannequin represents their physical appearance right to the
last detail, the platform enables for real-time fitting, thereby enabling users to see which size,
colour or pattern looks better on them and accordingly make their purchase.
Brands can bring their entire wardrobe online for the users to try from the comfort of their home
- anywhere, anytime. This allows for a unique digital trial room experience. Since each garment
is rendered in 3D and applied accurately on to the digital avatar, users can check the fitting and
other finer details of the garments in great definition. To make for a more compelling experience,
this platform even integrates live and immersive backgrounds so that users can see how their
choice of clothing look like in a particular ambience, to suit a particular occasion or a specific
need.
The use of this software offers a lot of benefits to retail outlets. Since it offers users a new way to
try and buy clothes - in a way that they can carefully assess the colours, fit and other aspects of
the garment carefully before ordering, it has the potential to bring down returns by a great deal.
This saves businesses a lot of money and lets them build a better rapport with their customer
base.
On-ground too, augmented reality in retail stores offers a great technological edge. Sales
personnel can offer customers who walk inside a phone or a tablet that has the augmented reality
application installed on it. Instead of wading through long aisles and waiting in lines to get into
the trial room, costumers can try on the clothes they like with just a few clicks. With this digital
trial room in place, a physical trial experience can be replicated, which allows users to make
accurate purchasing decisions - in a much more convenient and hassle-free manner.
This can prove very beneficial, especially in today’s day and age when the pandemic has crippled
retail businesses with no sales due to social distancing norms. The online trial room is the perfect
solution for times like this as it mitigates the risk of contracting the virus through physical
contact, thereby helping businesses bounce back to life.
With the use of virtual mannequins, since it does not require one to try on clothes, brands can
maintain and uphold a very high standard of hygiene and safety. Moreover, from an operational
point of view too, since the sales force need not spend hours folding and stacking clothes, it
saves a lot of cost and time, in turn increasing the overall efficiency of the store.
The beauty of this application is that it can be easily integrated into any platform and can be used
in several domains. Right from apparel, jewellery, accessories, cosmetics to furniture and interior
designing. Given its engaging nature and the ease with which it accurately lets customers see and
thoroughly scrutinise their choice of selection - all from within their homes - it is sure to grab the
attention of online shoppers. And given the engagement it can offer, we are sure that more
customers will hop on to this new trend of shopping easily, without much hesitation.
In the retail category, this platform is already making the waves. Today, WonderFashion is
already in talks with many leading retail businesses, who are working towards integrating this
solution with their platforms. The idea of a personalised trial room, using augmented reality and
mixed reality, is a going to be a true gamechanger in this business. And it’s only going to get
better from here.