Have you ever thought that Augmented reality could help you to buy groceries from your nearby retail stores? Yes, I am talking about that supermarket-shop, you usually visit to your grocery and other needs.

Today, I will discuss about the use of Augmented Reality in Retail. Furthermore, I will also introduce Amazon Go Grocery Store from the well-known e-commerce Giant, Amazon. Yes, you will come to know that Amazon Go is really a supermarket of the future.

What exactly is Augmented Reality in Retail?

You must know that Augmented reality is the real-time merging of the realistic virtual objects on to the real world objects. Whether you are a purchaser or a retailer, Augmented Reality in retail marketing can help you in either case.

OK, let’s understand it with your shopping preferences. I know you always prefer online shopping. In online shopping, you can see only an image (or, video) of the desired product but you can’t feel the product.

And, if you physically visit any retail store, of course you can feel the product (it store permits) but here you miss reviews, demos, etc.? But, by infusing Augmented Reality in retail you can not only feel the product rather can enjoy the relevant videos, demos, reviews too.

Here are two ways you can implement and enjoy Augmented reality in retail marketing.

1. Augmented reality in retail clothing store:-

Here, Augmented reality lets you to visualize your selection and know “how it will look?” before you actually wear or even purchase it. The only thing you have to do is to stand in front of an Augmented reality enabled mirror.

Now, tap on your selected piece of cloth as displayed in the mirror. And, the realistic 3D image will be overlaid on your actual view in the mirror. Moreover, you can not only see yourself with the selected outfit rather can feel it from different angles too.

Thus, with the ultimate power of AR, you can enjoy a number of outfits without the need of changing them each time. Also, retailers can save a lot of space for the changing room.

Thus, the fusion of Augmented reality in retail marketing will definitely become a trend for Retail clothing stores. Do check below YouTube video to see it in action.

2. Augmented reality in retail showroom:-

Here, Augmented Reality can enable you to visualize the relevant video or information overlaid on the product, which you wish to purchase. And, to access this, you have to just point the camera of your smart phone towards that product.

And, all the related information like a video or animation will pop up on your mobile / tablet. The product can be anything like grocery items, toys, home appliances or even four wheelers.

Moreover, AR can make a complicated product demonstration as a child play. Do check below YouTube video to see the way Ferrari has blended Augmented reality in retail marketing for their “Augmented Reality Showroom“.

OK, till now you have seen the use of Augmented reality in retail marketing. And, due to its unique property of enriching virtual and relevant information along with the physical touch of the product will definitely lead it to a success in the retail industry. But, have you noticed one thing?

Although AR can assist you in purchasing anything from grocery to car, but to complete the transaction you will have to stand in the long checkout lines of the retail-stores. Don’t you hate this?

Amazon knows your reply and comes with a very innovative solution, Amazon Go.

While #AugmentedReality is the #LatestTrend in Retail, #AmazonGo is the #FutureofRetail Click To Tweet

#1. What is Amazon Go Grocery Store?

Before you start thinking about online shopping just by hearing the name of Amazon, I would like to tell you that Amazon Go is a physical grocery store, very similar to your supermarket-store. But, the difference in this supermarket of the future is that you need not to even stand in a queue. You can just visit the Amazon Go grocery store, pick your favourite product and walk away.

So, next time when you plan to purchase anything from Amazon.com, better visit their physical grocery store with Amazon Go technology. It will definitely provide you an awesome experience of shopping.

#2. How does Amazon Go Grocery Store work?

In order to purchase anything from Amazon Go grocery store, you need only two things: – 1.) Your smartphone and 2.) The Amazon Go App installed on it. Obviously, you require an Amazon user account too.

While entering this retail store, you need to open the app and hover your mobile ( like you do with your metro card in the metro station ). That’s it. Now, go ahead and continue the shopping as you do in any retail store.

Picked all the products that you need? And, not finding any checkout queue? OK, no problem!, you can just walk away from the store with all these products.

Yes! you have read it correctly. Do check below YouTube video to feel this amazing Amazon Go grocery store.

Moreover, in this technology-stuffed retail store, you need not to worry about the product that you picked earlier, but later changed your mind and put it back on the shelf. Needless to say, you will not be charged for that product.

#3. Technology behind Amazon Go grocery store

To provide you an amazing experience of queue-less shopping, a lot of cameras, sensors blended with latest technologies are always working. And, the moment you enter into this retail store, these hardware & software start working as a team.

While a bunch of cameras and sensors always keep an eye on items that you pick from the shelf (or keep it back), the software keeps adding (updating) the products in your virtual cart. Once you done with the shopping and about to exit from the store, software calculates the amount for the cart-items and deduct it from your Amazon account.

Furthermore, Amazon claims the Amazon Go technology similar to those used in self driving cars and love to call it “Just Walk Out Technology“.

#4. Impact of Amazon Go Grocery Store on Traditional grocery Stores

Currently, Amazon Go has launched in its beta phase for the employees of Amazon only. But, the good news is that very soon (*) it will be ready for normal public.

So, once Amazon Go grocery store will become fully operational, what would be the impact on traditional grocery stores?

In my opinion, a fusion of high-end technology ( e.g. Artificial intelligence, Augmented reality, computer vision) and queue-less shopping will definitely help Amazon Go grocery store to put a solid footprint in the field of retail-marketing.

But, we should not neglect the other side of the coin, i.e. “Are we ready for Amazon Go?”. Well, Shorr Packaging has done a survey of 1000 Americans. You can read the article here.

*Latest update: – Amazon Go has finally become operational for the public on 22-01-2018.

Wrapping up

To summarise, I can say that Augmented Reality in retail can add valuable information to the existing products of the stores. And, in the long run, this will definitely a win-win situation for both retailers and consumers.

While Augmented reality in retail stores provides an amazing shopping experience, going one step ahead Amazon Go grocery store attracts customers with its “Just Walk Out Technology“. Thus, in this smartphone era, these latest technologies can easily bridge the gap between online & offline shopping.

That’s all from my side. In the comment section, let me know what you have liked the most? And, If you like my post, do share it with your friends. Also, to keep updated about Augmented reality, don’t forget to subscribe to my website. Additionally, visit my Facebook page and do follow @Augrealitypedia on Twitter.







Related