The future of retail is more than digital – it’s immersive. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are completely redefining how consumers shop, combining the convenience of online retail with the experience of in-store shopping.

Fast forward to 2030: if your brand fails to adopt these new tech trends, you’ll be left behind. In the future of online shopping, every touchpoint will be interactive, immersive, and instant. So what can you do to get ahead?

AR and VR In Retail

Consumers are demanding more interactive, engaging experiences, and AR and VR  deliver just that.

AR and VR are doing more than making the in-store shopping experience virtual. They’re making digital commerce more accessible and engaging than ever before. With 40% of shoppers being willing to pay more for a product if they are able to test it through AR, how will you leverage this tech to future-proof your brand?  

By 2030, the AR market is expected to boom, making it a $193 billion market. So it’s clear that immersive experiences are not just a trend – they’re the future. What will that look like? 

Read the white paper, The Future of Digital Commerce Architecture, to delve into the hottest retail tech trends of today and 2030. Learn how to leverage today’s tech to stay agile tomorrow.

Virtual Try-Ons: Bring the In-Store Experience Online

Want fewer returns and happier customers? Give shoppers the power to try before they buy. With today’s AR tech, shoppers can see how clothes, makeup, or jewelry will look before hitting the checkout button. They can even get a realistic picture of how a piece of furniture will look in their living room. 

AR-powered try-ons boost customer confidence, leaving little room for surprise. And fewer surprises mean fewer returns. Brands offering virtual try-ons have seen a 20% increase in sales and a 30% drop in return rates.

Virtual try-ons don’t just recreate the in-store experience, they can improve on it. Take German eyewear retailer, Fielmann for example. If you’ve ever tried on test frames in store, you too may have edged closer to the mirror to see yourself clearly as you can’t wear your own glasses. Fielmann’s AR technology virtually removes customers’ existing glasses, allowing them to see how they look in new frames with 20/20 vision. 

In 2030, this is exactly what customers will expect: dynamic, entertaining shopping experiences that go beyond clicking and scrolling.

Virtual Assistants: The Future of Personalized Shopping

Shopping is about to get personal. Virtual assistants powered by AI are already guiding customers through their online shopping experiences, making personalized recommendations that lead to more sales and more loyalty. Brands that incorporate personalization like this into their digital commerce strategy report a 71% increase in customer loyalty. 

But this is just the beginning. In the future, these assistants will be more than just chatbots. They’ll act as personal shopping guides, learning the preferences of each customer and scrolling through thousands of variants to suggest the perfect products for their needs.

By 2030 this software will be integrated into everyday apps, it has the potential to give customers intelligent shopping suggestions as they get dressed – and bring it all to life with VR.

As you prepare your brand for the future, how will you leverage virtual assistant technology to  give your customers the convenience they crave?

The Future of Retail: Blending AR, VR, and AI

What happens when you combine AR, VR, and AI? A fully personalized, predictive shopping experience. Soon, AI will anticipate what you need – before you even search for it. 

Predictive shopping is the next big thing. AI will track your preferences, habits, and browsing patterns, offering product suggestions before you even realize you need them. For example, if you’re a frequent activewear shopper, AI will recommend the latest styles right when it knows you need new shoes.
By 2030, the combination of AR, VR, and AI will create a seamless, hyper-personalized shopping journey. Already 71% of consumers expect brands to deliver personalized interactions, proving that brands that embrace this shift will be primed to thrive over the next decade.

Is Your Commerce Platform Ready for 2030?

It’s easy to focus on eye-catching innovations like AR, VR, and AI. But have you thought about the foundation supporting it all – your commerce platform? Can it handle the immersive, tech-heavy future of retail? As AR, VR, and AI become the gold standard, your system must be able to seamlessly support these advancements. 
Not sure whether your system is ready? Our white paper, The Future of Digital Commerce Architecture offers the insights you need to future-proof youir platform and stay competitive. Download it now to prepare your brand for the immersive future of retail.