Amazon takes experimental AR tech to the real world by way of a hair salon in the UK.
Riding the wave of their recent grocery store tech experiment, Amazon opened a “Tech” salon in the UK where customers can test Amazon’s AR capabilities first hand AND get their hair did.
They use new “point-and-learn” technology that allows customers to point at a product which then shows all of the information for it on an external display screen. Also displayed is a QR code that brings customers to the product page on Amazon where they can checkout.
Another cool application is that people can test out different hair colors and products virtually in real time to see what they’d look like before they buy.
It’s basically an Instagram filter, but practical and not a thirst trap.
Amazon is not the first company to use AR to jazz up the shopping experience. Companies like IKEA and Wayfair let you try stuff out in your home. It’s like being able to be in a dressing room again, but for furniture!
While this is all well and good, this technology is mostly for the consumer. What does this have to do with you?
Amazon AR is bringing us virtually closer than ever to the physical marketplace. In a post-Covid world, it’s not hard to imagine that people will want to be less “handsy” with merchandise, driving people to your Amazon Storefront.
So here are some steps to get similar outcomes without your customers needing to use the AR feature:
- Use excellent product videos to give your customers that hands on experience.
- Have a well-maintained eStorefront, and turn shopping into an interactive and immersive experience.
- Use TikTok, YouTube, and Amazon Posts to give people a better idea of what your product is like in real life.
