Virtual Reality

It feels almost quaint to discuss the “digital transformation” of the retail industry. Ten years ago, that mostly meant “have a website” and “digitize inventory.” Now these tools are table stakes, and the true digital transformation is the rapid expansion and harnessing of emerging technologies in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented reality (AR),…

Our rapidly digitalizing and globalizing world hasn't been kind to the retail industry these past few years, especially for brick-and-mortar stores. As a result, many retailers have begun to wrestle with questions concerning the nature of the retail experience and what it means to succeed in 2024. Despite this anxiety, brands can be sure of…

As we step into 2024, the retail landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with virtual retail stores emerging as the next big online trend. This shift isn't just a fleeting fad but a response to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements. As 3D for the web becomes more mainstream, traditional e-commerce websites are becoming flat…

The digital marketplace is thriving, with consumers increasingly turning to online channels for their shopping needs. However, this shift has brought about a concerning disconnect between online perception and offline reality, leading to a surge in return rates. During the holiday shopping season, it's crucial for retailers to address this issue to improve customer satisfaction…

Any retail expert worth their salt knows that personalization is the one true key to profitability. This is only becoming more important as the market grows saturated and customer expectations keep getting more demanding. But how will artificial intelligence technology change the ever-evolving retail landscape? Personalization is all about providing engaging customer experiences, which is…

Have you ever wanted to buy out a billboard next door to Snoop Dogg’s mansion? While this may have just been a very specific pipedream a few years ago (and highly dependent on how close Snoop’s mansion is to Highway 101), it's now a very real possibility in the metaverse. Once a futuristic buzzword, the…

The hype surrounding non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and metaverse environments has had highs and lows. Media attention increased dramatically in late 2021 after Facebook rebranded as Meta and virtual art sales made huge profits. This initial fervor quickly subsided with consumer search volume for NFTs and the term “metaverse” decreasing substantially in 2022. It's still difficult…

While the metaverse may not be widespread in retail just yet, there’s clear excitement among industry marketers about the new business opportunities it presents. This sentiment was made clear during a panel discussion that took place at this year's Total Retail Tech event.

On Monday, Nike launched .SWOOSH, its new digital community and experience, the brand announced. The platform is a home for Nike virtual creations and uses blockchain-powered technology — or what many call “Web3” — to offer an inclusive, equitable place for athletes, creators, collectors and consumers to design and own the future of sport. Currently…

Apparel brand Ralph Lauren and digital game world Fortnite are collaborating to create a digital and physical fashion collection that will live in the online game platform owned by Epic Games and be available for purchase in the real world. The digital collection includes outfits containing "sport graphics and bold designs" with "eye-catching color palettes,"…