Virtual Social Shopping Experiences

Is it even possible to merge 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 experiences and generate sales in both simultaneously? Roblox is blurring the line between digital and physical worlds with new #retail capabilities that will enable creators to sell physical items through the gaming platform and for items purchased in the real world to unlock value in the digital space. Early adopters include Fenty Beauty, Weeknd and Paramount. “We’re merging the physical and digital worlds by offering a first-of-its-kind #shopping experience inside the game that brings our brand from Roblox to real life,” explained Nanette Wong, vice president of global brand marketing at Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin. For Roblox, the road runs both ways in the digital-physical shopping convergence. Roblox’s new Approved Merchandiser Program enables creators, brands and IP holders to place a badge on items in the real world that will unlock unique #digital items, such as clothing and accessories for avatars. More insights regarding the evolution of #gaming and how brands can leverage mixed reality platforms, in two dedicated deep-dive articles attached in the comments below.

🔵 Walmart launches virtual fashion collection on ZEPETO 👇 Retail giant Walmart has expanded its digital presence by introducing a virtual collection of its No Boundaries (NoBo) apparel brand on metaverse platform ZEPETO. 👚 The launch includes 10 virtual twins (digital versions) of real-world NoBo items from the fall collection and 3 limited-edition items created in collab with ZEPETO creator Xexi. Users can purchase the virtual items using ZEMs, the platform's digital currency. 🇰🇷 ZEPETO was launched in 2018 by South Korean tech company NAVER Z (ZEPETO) and has quickly become a popular platform. With +20 million monthly active users (of which 70% Gen Z), this 'metaverse' offers brands a unique way to connect with younger audiences through creative, interactive experiences. Comparable to Roblox, the platform combines avatar customization, virtual worlds, and social interaction, becoming a space for self-expression. It grew from an avatar maker to a full metaverse, including events, branded collaborations and virtual stores the last years. 📊 Roblox remains much bigger in terms of engagement (200 million MAU's) and revenue from digital goods ($2.8 billion in 2023 vs ZEPETO's estimated $40.5 mio), however ZEPETO's becoming an important niche platform with a specific Gen Z focus. 🛍 Walmart has been investing consistently in similar experiences, including Walmart Discovered on Roblox and Walmart Realm with Emperia. The strategy aligns with current market research on Gen Z consumer behavior: ‣ 56% of Gen Z report improved brand perception after visiting virtual experiences ‣ 97% use social media as their primary source of shopping inspiration ‣ 42% utilize virtual avatars to test potential real-life fashion purchases 👖 No Boundaries is Walmart's young adult apparel brand, generating approximately $2 billion in annual sales. The refreshed NoBo line features trendy items such as baggy fit jeans, drop shoulder tops, and cropped tees, with 80% of products priced under $15. Walmart already announced a second virtual NoBo drop scheduled for November 22, indicating ongoing commitment to its digital fashion strategy. ➡️ A clear example of a continually growing trend of bridging the gap between physical & digital shopping experiences, and overall a VERY smart move by Walmart to engage with younger consumers. #innovation #retail #walmart #zepeto #roblox #phygital #virtualretail #metaverse

I jumped into L’Occitane's new Christmas-themed digital store. Set in a cozy cabin in the French Alps, I strolled through the virtual store and was able to collect hidden items to unlock a discount code for my purchase. Such a great example of virtual branded experiences for better storytelling! Beyond customer engagement, we’re seeing virtual experiences evolve with use cases that bring real value for brands and consumers. My favourite examples from the last month: Balmain is using virtual experiences to personalise the online fitting experience for customers. - They partnered with BODS to allow customers to create personalised avatars and dress them in tailored Balmain pieces. - Improper fit accounts for ~70% of returned online fashion purchases. This experience aims to boost consumer confidence and reduce returns. E.L.F. BEAUTY is using virtual experiences to enable Gen Z to build new skills and express themselves authentically online. - They introduced a Roblox experience, focused on creating dream start-ups and gamifying the development of entrepreneurial skills.  - This is based on the insight that 50% of Roblox's Gen Z users prioritise expressing themselves through their in-game identity and 62% aspire to become entrepreneurs (Forbes, 2023). Porche spoke about it’s metaverse vision, with examples such as designers using the metaverse for virtual vehicle interior design, collaborative customer feedback before production and digital twins of factories. Have you visited a virtual storefront before? #customerexperience #digitaltransformation #branding

What if your customers could try before they buy, without leaving their couch? For online shoppers, hesitation is the silent villain. Will it fit? Will it suit me? These doubts lead to abandoned carts, lower sales, and a mountain of returns. But what if we could turn uncertainty into excitement? 💡 Enter Virtual Try-Ons: Where AI Meets Imagination. Here’s how this transformative technology works and why it’s revolutionizing e-commerce: 🔮 The Problem Online shopping lacks the tactile reassurance of in-store experiences. Shoppers want to know how a dress drapes, how glasses frame their face, or how shoes complement their look, all before they buy. Without this, they hesitate or, worse, return purchases in droves. ✨ The Solution: AI-Driven Virtual Try-Ons 🔍 Real-Time Visualization: Using Augmented Reality (AR) and Computer Vision, customers can "try on" products in real time, whether it’s clothing, eyewear, makeup, or even footwear. 🎭 Engaging and Personal Experiences: A virtual fitting room tailored to the individual boosts confidence and builds stronger connections between customers and products. 🔗 Interactive Shopping Journey: From live camera feeds to uploaded images, customers can see exactly how products look and fit, eliminating guesswork. 🌟 What This Means for Businesses 📉 Reduced Return Rates: By aligning expectations with reality, businesses see fewer returns and greater customer satisfaction. 📈 Higher Conversion Rates: Shoppers buy confidently when they can see how products will suit them, leading to significant sales growth. 💬 Enhanced Customer Experience: Interactive, immersive try-ons make shopping fun, memorable, and worth coming back for. 🚀 The Real-World Magic Sephora: Customers explore makeup looks with their "Virtual Artist" tool, blending creativity with convenience. Ray-Ban: Shoppers find their perfect shades through a seamless virtual try-on feature. Nike: Users visualize how sneakers look on their feet before committing to a purchase. At Space-O Technologies, we don’t just build apps, we create experiences that drive engagement and results. From AI innovation to seamless user interfaces, we specialize in solutions that transform how your customers shop. Ready to redefine your e-commerce game with virtual try-ons? Let’s make it happen. #EcommerceInnovation #VirtualTryOn #AIandAR #SpaceOTechnologies

Hot on the heels of social commerce is "live selling". Leveraging the immersive and interactive nature of live broadcasts on social media platforms, live selling embodies the essence of social commerce by combining social media's reach and influence with the immediacy of e-commerce transactions. These platforms facilitate a direct and engaging shopping experience, allowing consumers to view products in action, ask questions in real-time, and make purchases instantly. This approach taps into the consumers' desire for convenience, authenticity, and a personalized shopping experience, significantly enhancing consumer engagement and potentially boosting sales for brands. 

TikTok's eCommerce Revolution: A Blueprint for Success 📍 🗺️ TikTok has redefined social commerce with its seamless in-app purchasing experience. It's not just a trend... it's a transformation in how consumers shop online. By integrating shopping directly into content, TikTok allows users to discover, engage with, and purchase products without ever leaving the app. This frictionless experience is setting new standards, and competitors like YouTube and Pinterest are racing to catch up. Understanding TikTok's approach is crucial for anyone looking to succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape. User-generated content is at the heart of TikTok's strategy. Short videos created by influencers drive higher engagement and effectively showcase products. With TikTok Shop, the platform owns the entire shopping journey: from discovery to delivery. This comprehensive control enhances user trust and streamlines the purchasing process. Live streaming adds another layer of engagement. Real-time interactions between influencers and audiences boost product discovery and encourage spontaneous purchases. The immediate availability of purchase buttons during live streams ensures that viewers can instantly take advantage of deals. Other platforms are taking note. 👀 Amazon is partnering with social platforms to enable single-click shopping, but these efforts still require users to switch between apps. YouTube and Pinterest are building their social commerce capabilities from within, but they have a long way to go to match the organic and effortless nature of TikTok's interface. The future of social commerce will be shaped by those who can create the most seamless and engaging shopping experiences. TikTok provides a blueprint, but catching up will require innovation and a deep understanding of consumer expectations. By focusing on trust, ease of use, and seamless integration, other platforms can position themselves as serious contenders in the social shopping landscape. #TikTokShop #SocialCommerce #ECommerce #ConsumerTrends #SocialMediaMarketing

The metaverse is not a fad, it’s a scientifically backed evolution of human experience and digital commerce. A groundbreaking study spanning three experiments has proven that metaverse retail environments consistently evoke stronger awe inspired experiences than traditional online shopping. These powerful emotional reactions stem from two critical psychological drivers: immersion, the feeling of being fully absorbed, and presence, the sensation of “being there.” Even in screen-based experiences without full VR hardware, the study shows that the metaverse surpasses conventional e-commerce in emotional intensity and user satisfaction. What’s more, the presence of avatars, especially user, controlled self-avatars further amplifies this effect. When shoppers are guided by virtual assistants or use avatars they personally design, their experience becomes more interactive, social, and emotionally resonant. This interactivity is key: it transforms shopping from a transactional task into a co-created, immersive moment. Brands that enable self-expression through avatars and responsive virtual environments are positioned to build deeper, longer-lasting connections with their audiences. The metaverse, therefore, is not just a digital gimmick, it’s a new canvas for identity, emotion, and community. For marketers, retailers, and technologists, this research offers a clear roadmap. Strategic deployment of immersive visuals, human like avatars, and customizable digital identities is not just smart it’s essential to staying relevant in the next evolution of commerce. Companies like Meta, Apple, Nike, and countless startups investing in the metaverse are not chasing hype, they’re building on an emerging body of empirical evidence. As we prepare for a future where immersive, emotionally intelligent platforms become the norm, this study confirms what many of us already believe: the metaverse isn’t the next frontier. It is the frontier. https://lnkd.in/eXEBcMky #Metaverse #Web3 #FutureOfCommerce #DigitalTransformation #ImmersiveExperience #CustomerEngagement #RetailInnovation #AIinRetail #Avatars #VirtualShopping #BrandExperience #MarketingInnovation #XR #AugmentedReality #VirtualReality #SpatialComputing #EmotionalMarketing #SelfAvatar #DigitalIdentity #TechForGood #ConsumerPsychology #ExperienceDesign #MetaverseMarketing #InnovationLeadership