There’s no doubt that online shopping has taken the world by storm. But what does this mean for traditional retail stores? Many experts believe that virtual shopping is the future of retail and that physical stores will soon become a thing of the past. So what are the benefits of virtual shopping? And why do experts believe it will eventually overtake traditional retail? Keep reading to find out!
The Start Of Change
A recent study by PwC found that global eCommerce sales are expected to reach $US$25 trillion by 2025, up from $US$17 trillion last year. Several factors drive this growth. It includes the increasing adoption of smartphones and other mobile devices, the rise of social media, and the growing popularity of “drop shipping” (where merchants sell products without carrying any inventory themselves).
First, regarding physical stores becoming obsolete, this seems to be already happening. In fact, according to recent research, nearly half of all shoppers now prefer buying items online over going into stores. Keeping in line with this growing demand, many online platforms are selling their bestsellers at affordable prices and exclusive discounts to garner as much attraction as possible (you can check this link right here now to know more). Moreover, this number will grow as online shopping becomes even more convenient and retailers invest in better eCommerce platforms.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) may play a more significant role in how we shop in the future. Mobile apps will evolve and become more sophisticated, making our shopping experiences even better, with many companies starting to experiment with these technologies.
Virtual Reality
Could this be the next big thing in retail? VR has already been used to significantly affect industries such as gaming and entertainment, but could it also be used to purchase goods and services? There are some apparent advantages to VR shopping. For starters, it can be a more immersive experience than traditional online shopping. You can explore virtual stores and view products from all angles, making it easier to decide what you want to buy. VR also allows you to try before you buy. There are already apps that let you see what furniture would look like in your home before buying it. And some apps allow you to try on clothes without having to actually go into a store. These experiences are the future of retail, as they provide a much more immersive and engaging experience for shoppers.
In addition, you can test out products in a virtual environment before making a purchase, which could lead to fewer returns and refunds.
Mobile apps will continue to become more sophisticated over time and become virtual retail solutions. We’re already seeing some fantastic innovations in this area, such as interactive augmented reality apps and in-app payment systems. These features will make our shopping experiences even more seamless and enjoyable. They will likely lead to even higher rates of online shopping.
So overall, it seems that the future of retail is moving towards more virtual experiences, with mobile apps leading the way. This shift towards digital consumption will significantly impact the retail landscape.
Down Side
There are some potential drawbacks too, of course. One is that not everyone has access to VR technology yet. Another is that there may be security concerns around VR for shopping transactions (although these concerns are likely to diminish over time). And finally, there is the issue of “social loafing.” This occurs when people don’t put in as much effort when working in a group as they would if they were working alone. Again, this could be a problem for VR shopping, where people may not feel as engaged or motivated as they would if they were shopping in a physical store.
For The Future
So, is VR the future of retail? It’s still too early to say for sure. Still, there is certainly potential for it to play a significant role in the industry moving forward.