Augmented reality industry trends in e-commerce: know it all

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GlamAR takes the crown for its presence in the augmented reality industry. But the real draw is its comprehensive suite of 3D, AR, and VR solutions for e-commerce, brands, retailers, and manufacturers. In spite of being a singular utility, it is designed to provide every solution to the augmented reality market. 

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Interactive AR solutions are a gold mine for e-commerce. It allows your customers to engage with your products from any browser or any device. This cross-device compatibility will boost your user experience. As a result, you can enhance conversions and reduce return rates. 

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GlamAR supports easy integration across web, mobile, kiosk, and in-store platforms. I found the user guide easy to follow. It explains how you can offer AR try-on solutions to customers via browser or app. To reach a wide range of consumers and stay ahead of the competitors, you should opt for GlamAR’s augmented reality solutions. 

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Features: 

• Virtual try-ons: It enables your shoppers to try on makeup, jewelry, and accessories in real time. Apart from this, they can test home decor items and furniture by placing them in their environments through AR try-ons. This, in turn, results in a confident purchase with no guesswork. 

• Product customization: When it comes to trying on different products online or in-store channels, consumers are able to personalize them according to their style preferences and needs. They can select colors, designs, finishes, etc., and experiment with the products. It will help them choose the right option. Ultimately, you can decrease the sample cost, paired with minimal return rates. 

• 3D AR ads: If I were an e-commerce owner, I would invest in dynamic 3D ads to reach my audience. I found it really great to transform traditional print ads into immersive experiences. Turn your OOH ads into marketing strategies that capture your customers’ attention. 

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2. Perfect Corp

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It is an enterprise-grade platform for AR and AI solutions. The platform is designed for beauty, fashion, and skincare brands. You can integrate it into your e-commerce website and app. It will give your customers instant access to AR and AI tools. Ultimately, the 3D face AR technology delivers them highly realistic makeover experiences. 

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Consumers can try on real-world products with accurate colors. They can also experiment with a variety of textures and finishes in real time. The AR technology uses 3D renderings, skin tone analysis, texture matching, and light balancing to ensure realistic makeup effects. It generates makeup effects that can move with the muscles, regardless of the angle or expression. 

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Its facial tracking technology empowers precise image editing in light or dark conditions. Ultimately, the 3D AR engine can detect lighting conditions and correct images and videos in real time for AR makeup and effects trials. Also, it can recognize different skin tones among consumers and provide a personalized experience. 

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Features: 

• Virtual makeup try-on: It enables your customers to try on AR makeup categories, such as blush, eyeliner, eyelashes, lip color, eyeshadow, foundation, and mascara. They can experiment with pre-configured AR cosmetics with adjustable elements through photo or video mode. Apart from this, your customers can experience complete makeup looks with AR makeup filters.  

• AR hairstyle try-on:The haircut simulator, hairstyle, and wig generator allow your customers to experience new hairstyles. It helps them choose the best one for themselves and make informed decisions with confidence.

• AR jewelry & accessories: Upload images of your jewelry and use 3D models to display rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc., in AR mode. As a result, consumers will access virtual try-ons through their desktop or mobile camera. Plus, your shoppers can try on different pairs of footwear, scarves, bags, headwear, etc., and mix and match them with their outfits. 

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3. Modiface

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I admit that I was a little skeptical about Modiface at first. After exploring it, I can confirm that it has won me over with its AR-enabled beauty tech solutions. Modiface helps e-commerce owners engage, educate, and empower their customers. It has lightweight and fast technology. The software can track hair, face, and nails to run a real-time AR experience on the web.

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It ensures accurate tracking and offers AR capabilities through virtual try-ons for makeup, hair, and nails. The technology can analyse facial shape and features while consumers are trying on makeup, hair colors, or nail shades on their devices. The best part is that it keeps consumer data safe. 

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The renderings of Modiface adapt to different lighting conditions and skin tones in an automatic manner. It simulates real-world physics to get high-quality outcomes. Most importantly, it follows the head, face, and hand movements of consumers while trying on your makeup, hair, or nail products. 

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Features: 

• Makeup virtual try-on: It allows your shoppers to try on color cosmetics through your website, app, or in-store virtual mirror. Clicking ‘Start My Camera,’ they can experiment with makeup shades on their face through live video mode. Also, they can try on prebuilt and customized makeup looks. After trying on, they can capture their best look and share it with others. The makeup VTO enables them to compare multiple products and their before-and-after looks. 

• Hair VTO: The tracking and realistic shade rendering technology lets your customers experiment with hair colors before making a commitment. For a personalized and premium experience, they can use live video or photo mode to preview how hair colors would look on them. Plus, consumers can experience hair VTO from different platforms, such as Android, iOS devices, web browsers, Windows, and WeChat.

• Nail VTO: The accurate hand-tracking technology enables your customers to try on their favorite nail shades virtually. They can experience realistic textures and finishes of nail colors. Consumers can also try on multicolor nails and nail art through Android, iOS, and web browsers. 

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4. Banuba

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From the moment I first discovered Banuba’s AR SDK, I recognized its potential as a face AR SDK and virtual try-on. What sets it apart is that consumers can access the AR features of Banuba through mobile or web browsers. The beauty AR SDK integrates face touch-up and makeup filters into iOS, Android, and web apps. 

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It enables real-time face beautification with accuracy. As a result, you can maximize your customer engagement. They can use makeup and AR beauty filters on video calls, photo and video editing, and live streaming apps. During video calls, users can change their background with the virtual background API. 

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The makeup AR of Banuba is optimized for both high- and low-end devices. You will get routine SDK updates and upgrades. It will offer your customers data safety while using the AR features. They can try on AR products, such as makeup, 3D effects, hats, face jewelry, etc., on their face. Plus, the face mask detection SDK can identify the human face covered by a mask, even in low lighting conditions. 

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Features: 

• Makeup AR: Banuba offers a Makeup API for virtual cosmetics. It lets consumers apply virtual blushes, lipsticks, mascara, etc., with just a tap. The API provides realistic interaction with natural skin tone with the help of advanced AI and lighting adaptation capabilities. Consumers can apply multiple AR beauty products at the same time and swap them out in one click. 

• AR conferencing: Banuba’s face AR SDK transforms video calls with augmented reality solutions. Your customers can apply touch-ups, 3D masks, stickers, or other effects to turn their video conversation into an AR video call. The AR face detection AI can replace the background during virtual meetings. It enables consumers to drag and drop themselves to a specific location. 

• AR try-on solutions: As an e-commerce owner, if you want to boost sales, you will get realistic product visuals and personalized experiences through AR solutions. So, you can add virtual try-on plugins to your e-commerce platforms within minutes. Consequently, your customers can obtain customizable experiences for different product categories, like makeup, jewelry, eyewear, etc. 

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5. MirrAR

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MirrAR’s unique feature is its AR software that makes the online shopping experience experiential and highly personalized. It takes the guesswork out of digital shopping and allows your customers to try on your products from anywhere, anytime. They can experiment with the products until they find their ideal one. 

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You can display jewelry, accessories, eyewear, and beauty products through the AR solutions. If you want to add this platform to your e-commerce website, app, or in-store smart mirror, it will give you an omnichannel experience. As a result, consumers will visualize every angle of your products through virtual try-on technology.

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Apart from web- and app-based AR integrations, you can also use AR solutions through social media platforms for product previews. The face tracking and preview placement technologies enable consumers to add AR filters or 3D masks to their social media handles. Thus, socialAR enhances user engagement, creativity, and interaction on social media. 

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Features: 

• AR jewelry software: It allows your shoppers to try on various jewelry designs in real time. Your customers can see and try on jewelry with high-resolution textures and resolutions from any device or browser they are using. It is compatible with mobiles, desktops, tablets, etc. 

• AR beauty shopping: The Beauty AR software allows me to try on different shades of eyeliners, eyeshadows, and lipsticks with no commitment. It has facial mapping technology to generate accurate makeup trials. It can detect wide-angle facial profiles, facial movements, and lighting conditions that provide realistic results.

• AR watch try-on: The augmented reality of MirrAR enables highly accurate hand mapping and tracking capabilities. It offers markerless virtual watch try-on for every consumer across gestures, skin tones, textures, and hand and finger sizes. Now, I can try on watches on my bare wrist, regardless of my traits.

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6. DeepAR

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DeepAR offers a straightforward AR shopping solution for glasses. It enables your customers to try on shoes, watches, etc., apart from glasses, through your e-commerce website or app. Thus, you can transform retail experiences with augmented reality. Also, consumers can replace or blur the background of AR experiences. 

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For your e-commerce sector, you can amplify business offerings with virtual try-on experiences. You can provide your shoppers with virtual makeup try-on experiences across all ages, genders, and ethnicities. They can pair the makeup effect with a perfect background and create a complete look. 

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To create augmented reality solutions and applications, DeepAR provides an end-to-end framework. It will give you a simple API for beautification and makeup adjustments with DeepAR Beauty. Plus, integrating the DeepAR SDK, you will get a platform for 3D and AR commerce: ShopAR. 

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Features: 

• AR glasses try-on: It creates realistic AR glasses try-on experiences for your e-commerce website. I tested and tried on 3D sunglasses on this platform. It was quite easy to use without any technical skill. 

• Shoe try-on: If you want to offer your customers shoe try-on experiences, add DeepAR SDK to your e-commerce website. It will give them a real-time virtual try-on experience of the footwear from your brand. 

• AR accessories: For watch and wrist jewelry brands, DeepAR offers real-time try-on experiences. It will enable their customers to achieve an interactive shopping journey. The 3D modelling and computer vision technology deliver quality visuals for realistic product rendering. It can map my wrist size automatically and fit the wristwatch or jewelry with ease. So, it helps me make a confident purchase. 

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7. PulpoAR

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If I were a beauty retailer, I would use the biggest weapon: omnichannel AR shopping solutions to stay competitive in the market. When it comes to choosing a platform for holistic beauty experiences for your shoppers, PulpoAR is your go-to solution that offers virtual try-on solutions for e-commerce. 

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Now, you can enable your customers to see how beauty products look on their faces, regardless of location and time. The software lets them try on your braided products through mobile applications as well as web browsers. Beyond this, you can make the in-store shopping convenient for them with touchless smart mirrors. 

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PulpoAR has AR, AI, and facial recognition technologies that allow consumers to enjoy various experiences, from single product try-ons to complete makeup looks. They can try on a wide range of cosmetic products through different modes: live camera, photo mode, or by choosing a model. 

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Features: 

• Facial makeup try-on: Consumers can open the live camera or take a photo to try on their makeup products in real time. Also, they can choose a model and apply desired products on the platform. 

• Virtual hair salon: PulpoAR has hair segmentation technology that enables highly realistic hair colors without a salon visit. The exact hairline detection capability ensures accurate application of hair colors.

• Nail try-on: The nail segmentation technology of PulpoAR empowers web-based nail try-on solutions. It allows your customers to experiment with diverse nail colors and textures. They can try metallic, matte, and glitter finishes of desired nail shades using photo mode or selecting a model.

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The future of augmented reality in e-commerce 

The future of e-commerce is evolving with AR integration, accessibility, and social interaction. Such innovations generate a dynamic shopping ecosystem. Most importantly, the inclusion of AI within web commerce platforms generates an easy shopping experience. The integration of AR and AI enables personalized product recommendations, chatbot assistance, and virtual try-on.

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The inclusion of AR and VR within e-commerce platforms fills the gap between the virtual and real worlds. It enables interactive product demonstrations. Buyers can easily check how the products fit and function in their daily lives. Integration of AR with 3D modeling enhances product representation and improves purchasing confidence. In the opinions of industry analysts, AR/VR solutions will contribute $1.6 billion in retail revenue in 2025.

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Many footwear, furniture, and jewelry brands have already started to include such features in their e-commerce platforms. The number of adoptions of AR elements will also grow in the future. In the coming years, the rapid adaptation of GenAI will extend personalized capabilities. It will provide more options to shoppers with AR filters.

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Popular brands that are using augmented reality solutions

If you run an e-commerce business, it is the right time to test AR capabilities, particularly how they can drive your sales. Now, investing in AR should be on your priority list. In this course of discussion, I talk about different AR solutions used by the following global brands. 

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1. IKEA

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It is a popular home decor brand. IKEA’s AR capabilities are primarily mobile-based (via the IKEA Place and IKEA Kreativ apps). The IKEA KREATIV app enables the ease of furniture selection from catalogs. It enables 3D modeling and system-integrated functionalities.

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Consumers can experience real-time sizing and positioning of furniture during purchase. I have explored its catalog and virtually designed my room. It also has the erase option. The selected furniture automatically aligned and scaled within the design layout. As a result, the return rate for the selected furniture will be minimal. 

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2. Gucci

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This luxury fashion brand has integrated AR try-on features within marketing strategies. I tested and tried its AR sneaker try-on app. Within a few seconds, I got a dynamic 3D display and 360-degree views. Its high-performance 3D rendering engine helps me to recognize color, leather type, canvas, and other materials.

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The options of sharing photos and downloads are available on this app. Gucci has evolved such marketing strategies following the preferences of tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial consumers. From Gucci's business standpoint, it becomes a fusion of mobile-first design, visual appeal, and interactive product exploration.    

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3. Sephora

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Sephora has a feature of 3D facial recognition. Its virtual artist feature allows buyers to upload a still selfie. I experienced its virtual try-on for real-time digital makeup. I used multiple shades and compared them with my skin tone. It works with highly responsive AI face recognition technology.

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Generally, a frequent psychological shift has been noticed during the purchase of beauty products. Such implementation of virtual try-on minimizes the rate of returns for Sephora. From a business point of view, it reduces buyers’ decision friction, which results in a higher average order value.     

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4. Wayfair

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Wayfair is a US-based e-commerce company. It enables AR-powered features within its shopping app. I experimented with its “View in Room” option. The amazing fact of it is that shoppers can test multiple designs of furniture within a specific space dimension. Its functional layout planning tool helps with rotation, comparison, space evaluation, and fitting.

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Such features offer buyers greater confidence in product selection and speed up the decision-making process. Therefore, Wayfair’s AR works as a strategic asset that minimizes the rate of returns by advancing the pre-purchasing buyers’ experience.        

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5. Warby Parker

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Warby Parker has become popular for its “virtual try-on” feature. Its app can scan my face and give me options to try different frames. I experienced how the 3D mapping feature fits the glasses as per width, lens size, and bridge.

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Besides try-on, Warby allows buyers to choose five frames. This company allows shoppers to try on glasses before purchasing. Such innovation and try-on flexibilities make them more confident, which in turn reduces the rate of return. 

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Advantages & disadvantages of augmented reality in e-commerce

The exponential growth of AR technologies expands its potential applications. The positive impacts of AR technologies are widespread in e-commerce. But such value propositions also bring risks and complications that leave a long-term effect on individuals and society. Let's have a detailed discussion over the merits and demerits of AR technologies: 

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Advantages of AR technologies

• Enhance product visualization: AR has transformed the way products are presented to buyers. It enables a realistic virtual tour of interior designs, floors, furniture, and more. Such comprehensive views speed up the decision-making process of shoppers.

• Advancing the e-commerce business model: AR technology has improved product visualization. Buyers can get effective product views and test out product functionalities. For example, some brands offer AR glasses to make the shopping process more interactive. Thereby, for such features, brands achieve reduced return rates. 

• Revolutionizing team collaboration: AR has altered the team working culture. It eases real-time interaction within project plans and modifications. Besides that, teams have many modes of communication. Thus, they can have ease of feedback generation and a flexible working approach. 

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Disadvantages of AR technologies

• Issues of data privacy: AR applications often access personal data to provide services. Therefore, the collection of sensitive information may become an unwitting exposure to developers. Sometimes, it may cause data breaches. As a consequence, financial fraud, falsification of information, and identity theft may occur.

• Vulnerabilities: Though it is rare, AR systems have been shown to be vulnerable to malware, especially in ad-supported or poorly sandboxed environments. AR hackers insert malicious software via advertising (malvertising). As a result, ad networks distribute malware through fake AR ads or overlays. Clicking such content can redirect users to phishing or ransomware sites. Thus, it undermines AR security. On the other hand, hackers may steal network credentials from digital devices. Specifically, those buyers who use AR and VR for shopping are under cyber threats. Hackers often get access to their card details and mobile payment options if AR apps don’t follow secure payment gateway protocols (e.g., tokenization, HTTPS).

• Denial of service: It is another potential approach of an AR security attack. In this case, suddenly, users get cut off from information. It may create inconveniences among consumers.

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How to choose the best AR solution for your e-commerce?

If you want to give a shape to your approach towards AR solutions in e-commerce, you will have to find the best AR development partner for your business. But as with any AR-powered software, it is impossible for you to accept every recommendation. You should take the time and dedicate yourself to ensuring any AR-enabled platform fits your business needs. Keep in mind the following factors while choosing the right AR developer for your e-commerce:

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You need to understand and assess the technical expertise of AR technology, such as 3D modeling capacity, markerless and marker-based AR solutions, computer vision, and AI integration competencies. For this purpose, you can appoint a team to examine the capabilities of a particular AR-empowered software. Then, dig out specific challenges of your e-commerce industry and how AR solutions will be effective for them. Following this, it is essential to understand the current trends of the e-commerce industry. 

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When it comes to listing the best AR-enabled platforms for e-commerce, I also considered the flexibility and customization power of an AR development company. The company should be able to help your business mitigate unpredictable challenges to stand out in the e-commerce market. I went through the success stories, testimonials, and portfolios of those AR companies and tracked how they are delivering desired solutions for e-commerce. Lastly, you must look for the pricing model of every AR-powered platform and estimate ROI before making a final decision. Your best bet is to take my enlisted AR solutions for a spin and find the best one. 

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Conclusion

A study forecasted that 75% of the global population, especially smartphone users, would be using AR solutions this year. Following this, e-commerce owners are harnessing the potential of augmented reality for displaying products online and in-store. As a result, their customers can interact with the products in a revolutionary way that was previously unimaginable. Thus, trendy AR capabilities have transformed the retail space by turning passive scrolling into a trial-and-play game for consumers. 

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Here, I can coin the term ‘shoppertainment’ to define augmented reality in e-commerce. Considering it, leading brands are embracing AR trends to empower their customers and drive sales. It is no longer an experiential sideline for e-commerce players. Rather, it is a strategic touchpoint to gain real-time benefits. Choosing GlamAR to introduce AR solutions into your business will facilitate customer satisfaction, leading to higher conversions. Talk to them directly.