Lily Snyder

Consumer behavior is constantly changing, especially as technology improves. Personal computers and the internet revolutionized shopping. The way companies thought about interacting with their consumers changed forever. The internet is evolving. Integrated with devices and new technology, consumer behavior is about to go through another revolution.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality may seem like some far-off technology as seen in movie like the Iron Man. However, retailers have shown that is no longer the case.

Augmented reality (AR) lets consumers the ability to try products out. Instagram gives users the option to “try on” products like lipstick or sunglasses. They can then purchase the product directly from the app without having to go to a third-party site.

AR gives people a reason to shop in physical stores again. Augmented reality doors use cameras and screens to let shoppers virtually try on clothes in the store. Augmented reality puts the joy back in winter shopping, letting people see what that outfit would look like without having to shed coats and boots.

Augmented reality also gives consumers the ability to join in the brand exploration. By using their phones, they can scan physical environments to see brand’s products outside the store itself and “shop” from where they’re standing, even sharing their augmented reality to social media. Now that’s a win for any brand.

Examples of augmented reality in retail:

• Physical stores – doors outfitted with mirror-sized screens give shoppers the ability to virtually try on outfits.
• Instagram and YouTube – users can virtually “try on” makeup, like different shades of lipstick. They can even follow makeup tutorials and purchase products from the app.
• Web AR – Visitors to Peloton’s site can use their browser to display a Peloton bike anywhere in their environment and take a picture of their virtual cycling machine.

Smart Home Devices

Talking is the new typing. Smart speakers like Google’s Home and Amazon’s Alexa give consumers the ability to shop without ever needing to look at a screen. They can add something to their Amazon wish list or grocery cart.

Consumers use their smart home devices in different ways depending on where it’s located like the kitchen verses the home office. Not only will consumers talk to their smart home devices, but the devices can talk back with reminders of upcoming re-occurring purchases.

Smart home devices take the pressure off consumers to remember each item on their shopping list, even by predicting what they might need in the future.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now smart enough to help people shop. AI will be engrained with every device to learn about their “person”.

Artificial intelligence does more than automatically make a grocery list and order it. AI can predict how their person is feeling or “see” what else is going on in the environment to prompt its “person” what they may need. Hosting a party and not sure how many drinks to buy? Have a family member’s birthday coming up with no idea what to get them? Turn to AI to figure it out for you.

Artificial intelligence will change consumer behavior by taking the menial labor of shopping off consumer’s minds so they can focus on the more important things in life.

Do you think augmented reality will change the way we shop forever? Do you use a smart home device? Let me know in the comments below!

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