Reinventing Fashion Retail During the Pandemic: Creative and Practical Solutions Comments Off on Reinventing Fashion Retail During the Pandemic: Creative and Practical Solutions 6058

Alice Wonders23 de July de 2020 16:1319 de October de 2026

More comfort and fewer trends: that’s the rule for fashion in 2020. Fashion retail was the sector hit hardest by shifts in consumer behavior brought on by the novel coronavirus crisis. Over the past few months, fashion has been reinventing itself, and the key to boosting sales has been a customer-centric focus.

A Google study revealed that people’s shopping habits and purchase intent during the pandemic went through 3 stages: at first, we prioritized personal protective items and essential purchases, such as food and cleaning products; after that, people moved into an adjustment phase, buying things for the home, like kitchenware, appliances, equipment for indoor workouts, and gear for working from home; in the third phase, priorities shifted, and the mindset became “I need it” and “I deserve it.” In other words, consumer behavior right now is centered on the value of self-care and the desire to be and feel well.

Consumer behavior during quarantine. Source: Google internal data

This is directly reflected in the products people are searching for most: the ones that deliver comfort. People are buying looser clothing and favoring comfortable fabrics like fleece, especially in winter, which has also driven up demand for slippers.

To keep up with customers’ new behaviors and so many changes, fashion retail has had to be resilient. Keep reading to discover the strategies that can help minimize the effects of the crisis.

Social Media as an Educational Tool

What every brand wants is to understand its customers, their problems, and their pain points, so it can deliver the right content to the right customer. During quarantine, most purchases happened online, which created a real hurdle for a large share of people who had never made an online transaction before.

To meet this need and educate new digital users, some brands tapped into the power of influencers with videos showing people how to shop on their website or app, explaining how to make product exchanges online, and plenty of other content focused on solving user experience problems.

The way to break down the barrier between physical and digital is by teaching people: creating video tutorials, posts with how-to instructions, and chat support to answer questions. Using an instructional tone brings people closer and builds empathy. Digital transformation has to reach everyone to be effective.

Redefining Fashion

As we mentioned above, demand for comfortable clothing has grown in recent months, pushing jeans to the back of the closet. Keeping an eye out for these opportunities, Havaianas seized the moment to bring back an item that had once been part of its portfolio, launching a collection of toe socks in a variety of prints and bright colors. The new line offers a creative, practical solution that lets people wear socks with sandals more easily and comfortably.

And it doesn’t stop there. The new consumer behavior shows that people are even more concerned about sustainability.

That’s why customized pieces are trending right now. As a result, upcycling has gone from an alternative fashion movement to winning over the tastes and wardrobes of quarenteners. Fashion is going through a process of giving clothes new meaning as an act of responsibility.

Another relevant point is the growing interest in timeless and more versatile pieces. On top of that, reduced purchasing power, with people holding on to their savings for now, has influenced choices toward pieces that offer greater quality and durability.

Technology on the Runway

At this year’s Milan Fashion Week, held in late February when coronavirus infection rates were already high in Europe, Giorgio Armani was the first to hold a closed-door show with no audience, livestreamed online. From then on, the fashion industry found itself forced to use all of its creativity to bring its collections to the public, using technology as a tool.

But the one who created a buzz in the most unexpected way was Anifa Mvuemba, creative director of the Hanifa brand, who presented her entire collection’s runway show in 3D and took the internet by storm in a live stream on the brand’s official IGTV. The impact came from how realistically the garments moved, in a well-structured and beautifully executed animation. Beyond all the innovation of the show, what stands out most from a branding perspective is the reach the event achieved.

Runway shows livestreamed online reach journalists, buyers, and end consumers alike. In other words, they make accessible an event that used to be extremely exclusive.

The impact was so positive that the Fall/Winter 2020/21 haute couture week went fully digital. Top designers from the world’s most famous brands went further than ever in inspiration, creativity, and innovation in their presentations. Most of them brought a dose of escapism to their collections.

To name a few examples, Balmain‘s spectacular show took place on a boat, with the Seine River in Paris as its runway, broadcast live. Valentino, in its collection presentation video, used projection mapping on white garments, suggesting a dialogue between the digital and the human.

Solutions to Ensure Customer Safety

Even with the entire collection and catalog showcased online, some customers still prefer to visit the store to see the pieces up close on the showroom racks. That’s why you need to be ready to welcome people while keeping them safe at this time.

Many brands are organizing their Re-see by appointment only. Scheduling is the best way to ensure a safe environment and avoid crowding. On top of that, it provides exclusive service and personal attention, which makes all the difference for these customers.

It’s essential to keep consumers safe at every stage, including shipping. To do this, garments need to be sanitized with antiseptic spray before being packed for delivery, since these sprays work by neutralizing viral particles. There are already products on the market with proven effectiveness against the coronavirus. If your brand takes this kind of care with its customers, delivering the clothes with a safety seal is an added differentiator, right?

Use the brand cases we mentioned as examples in this article to draw insights that can help your business, and bet on your creativity! Enjoyed this content? Then sign up for our newsletter to get the latest from our blog straight to your inbox.

Previous Article5 Reasons to Invest in Relationship MarketingNext ArticleHow Augmented Reality Can Solve Business Problems

Innovative Retail Experiences: Augmented Reality at the POS Comments Off on Innovative Retail Experiences: Augmented Reality at the POS 2893

Alice Wonders4 de August de 2023 10:324 de August de 2023

Innovative Retail Experiences: Augmented Reality at the POS

If you’re a retailer looking for innovation, we’ve got good news for you: Augmented Reality at the POS is here to transform your business into a space of innovative experiences and efficiency.

Here’s what we’ll explore:

Benefits of Augmented Reality at the POS – Learn how AR can take the customer experience to a whole new level and, as a result, boost your sales.
Augmented Reality Use Cases in Retail – Discover practical examples of how to implement AR in your store.
Challenges and Solutions – Get to know the obstacles you may face and how to overcome them efficiently.

Get ready to transform your point of sale and captivate your customers like never before!

What Is Augmented Reality?

Have you ever seen those social media filters that add bunny ears or sunglasses to your photo in real time? That’s a simple but effective example of Augmented Reality.

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information — such as images, videos, and sounds — onto the real world through a device, whether it’s a smartphone, a tablet, or special glasses.

This means that with AR, your customers can use their own smartphones to view additional information about a product, see reviews from other shoppers, or even visualize how a piece of furniture or an appliance would look in their home. And all of this happens while they’re physically in your store.

The magic of Augmented Reality lies in its ability to create a hybrid shopping experience that combines the best of the online and offline worlds.

The result is a more interactive, informative, and engaging sales environment.

Augmented Reality in Retail

Bringing Augmented Reality into your store represents a significant leap forward, not only in the way you sell, but also in the way customers shop.

Product Try-Ons

With Augmented Reality, trying on products reaches a whole new level. If you run a clothing store, your customers can “try on” different styles and sizes without having to deal with the fitting room. The same goes for eyewear, jewelry, and even sneakers.

All the customer has to do is point their smartphone at the item they want and see it virtually projected onto their own image.

Personalized Shopping

Augmented Reality enables a highly personalized shopping experience. Based on the customer’s interactions and choices, you can provide product recommendations, show related items, or even create a unique virtual store environment for each visitor.

Wayfinding and Information

Let he who has never gotten lost in a big store cast the first stone! With Augmented Reality, your customers can easily find what they’re looking for.

By pointing their smartphone at an aisle, they can see digital cues about the products in front of them, saving time and boosting customer satisfaction

Engagement and Gamification

Augmented Reality technology offers a range of opportunities to make shopping more interactive and fun.

You can create digital treasure hunts, quizzes, or other games that encourage customers to explore more of the store and, as a result, discover more of your products.

Watch the video of an Augmented Reality activation Alice Wonders created — packed with technology, fun, and engagement — to showcase all the technology available in modern agriculture:

Customer Behavior Analytics

With Augmented Reality, you can collect valuable data on how customers interact with products and the store environment. This data can be used to improve layout, inventory, and even marketing strategies.

Benefits of Augmented Reality at the POS

Higher Sales and Average Order Value

When you offer a more engaging and informative shopping experience, customers are more likely to spend more. Augmented Reality lets shoppers visualize how a product will fit into their lives before they even make a purchase, building confidence and encouraging higher-value sales.

Fewer Returns

One of the biggest challenges in retail is the high rate of returns. With Augmented Reality, customers get a clearer, more accurate picture of what they’re buying, which minimizes the chances of dissatisfaction and, consequently, of returns.

Competitive Differentiation

In a saturated market, every edge counts. Implementing Augmented Reality at your POS not only improves the customer experience but also positions your brand as innovative and in tune with tech trends.

Better Customer Experience

Augmented Reality’s power to deliver detailed information and realistic visualizations makes the buying process much easier and more enjoyable for the customer. On top of that, this technology can eliminate many of the uncertainties customers have when shopping, resulting in a more positive overall experience.

Store Space Optimization

Augmented Reality lets you make the most of your store’s physical space. How? By using Augmented Reality features, you can display a virtually unlimited inventory, which is especially useful if your store is short on space.

Employee Training

That’s right, Augmented Reality doesn’t just benefit customers. It’s also a valuable tool for training your team. Customer service scenarios, for example, can be simulated to prepare your employees for a wide variety of situations.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that Augmented Reality is more than just a trend; it’s the future of retail.

By leveraging Augmented Reality at your Point of Sale, you’re taking a significant step toward a world of interactive possibilities, more effective sales, and happier customers.

So, what are you waiting for? The time to act is now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Augmented Reality at the Point of Sale (POS)? Augmented Reality at the Point of Sale is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images and data, onto the real world through mobile devices or special glasses. It gives customers a more interactive and informative shopping experience.

What are the benefits of Augmented Reality at the POS? The benefits are numerous and include increased sales, competitive differentiation, a better customer experience, optimized store space, and the potential for more effective employee training.

How can I implement Augmented Reality in my store? Implementation can range from simple mobile apps to more complex systems that use Augmented Reality glasses. The first step is to understand your specific needs and goals, then consult with specialized professionals to choose the best approach for your business.

Is Augmented Reality expensive to implement? Costs can vary, but thanks to technological advances, there are options for businesses of all sizes and budgets. The key is to start with a pilot project and scale up as you see the benefits and return on investment.

Is Augmented Reality just a fad, or is it here to stay? With continuous improvements in the technology and clear proof of value across many industries, Augmented Reality is an innovation that’s here to stay. Its power to engage customers in new and meaningful ways makes it a valuable tool for any retailer striving for operational excellence.

Sensory Rooms: Transforming Experiences at the Point of Sale (POS) Comments Off on Sensory Rooms: Transforming Experiences at the Point of Sale (POS) 1712

Alice Wonders30 de June de 2023 20:4130 de June de 2023

Today we’re going to talk about an amazing tool that can completely transform your customers’ shopping experience: sensory rooms for points of sale.

A New Concept in Shopping Experience

You’re always looking for ways to stand out from the sea of competition in retail, right? One way to do that is by offering personalized, engaging experiences to your customers, and this is where sensory rooms come into play.

Sensory rooms are spaces designed to draw customers into an immersive experience, activating all of their senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

All five senses come into play, making the shopping experience truly memorable. Let’s look at some examples of how to use each sense:

Sight

You can use sensory rooms with lighting, colors, and visual effects to create a specific atmosphere.

Imagine, for example, that you own a furniture store. How about a sensory room that simulates different types of daytime and nighttime lighting? That way, your customers can see how the furniture looks under various lighting conditions.

Tok&Stok, a leading name in furniture and home decor, uses the visual experience in its stores so customers can picture themselves using the furniture in their own homes. Settings are put together with the store’s products, simulating living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, offices, and more. The lighting is designed to highlight the products and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Hearing

Music or other sounds can be used to create a relaxing, welcoming environment.

For example, if you own a camping gear store, nature sounds, like birdsong or rain falling on a tent, can enhance your customers’ sensory experience and make them feel more connected to the camping environment.

Centro Nacional Store — Livraria Cultura is an example of a company that uses the auditory experience to create a more pleasant environment. Its stores usually have a soft soundtrack playing in the background, creating a relaxing environment that invites customers to spend more time in the store.

Touch

You can create sensory rooms that involve customers’ sense of touch.

If you own a clothing store, how about offering different fabrics and textures for customers to touch? It’s an amazing way for them to connect with your products.

Natura, the well-known cosmetics brand, lets customers try many of its products in its brick-and-mortar stores. They can feel the texture of creams, lotions, and makeup by applying them directly to their skin. This helps create a deeper connection with the products and allows customers to choose the items that best meet their needs and preferences.

Smell

Smell is a powerful sense, often underestimated when it comes to creating shopping experiences.

However, you can use it to create sensations and environments that match your products. For example:

Some stores, like coffee shops, already use the smell of coffee to create a more welcoming environment.
Imagine walking into a clothing store and smelling freshly washed fabrics. That would definitely improve the shopping experience.
Pão de Açúcar creates an olfactory experience through the aroma of breads and cakes baking in its in-store bakery. When customers walk into the store, they’re enveloped by these delicious smells, which creates a welcoming atmosphere and encourages purchases from the bakery.

A perfect example of a Sensory Room is the Dior activation at Hotel Sephora, developed by Alice Wonders. For a captivating, multisensory immersion in the brand’s exclusive space, we created projection mapping that brought to life the launch of J’adore Eau de Parfum, the brand’s newest fragrance. Check it out:

Taste

Last, but certainly not least, we have taste.

In some stores, especially those that sell food or beverages, you can offer tastings to customers.

Pão de Açúcar combines the sensory experience of smell with taste, also offering tastings of wines, cheeses, breads, and other products in its stores. This not only lets customers try before they buy, but also creates a more engaging and enjoyable shopping experience.
Another company that embraces this practice is Cacau Show, a chain of chocolate stores, which often offers samples of its products, letting customers enjoy the flavor before deciding to buy.

The Impact of Sensory Rooms at the POS

Now that we’ve talked about how to engage and stimulate each of your customers’ 5 senses at the POS, how about we look at the benefits of bringing it all together in Sensory Rooms for your brand?

The main goal of a sensory room at a point of sale is to create a unique and memorable experience for the customer.

On top of that, you not only set your store apart from the competition, but also encourage customers to come back. It’s a win-win strategy!

Here are some of the many benefits of creating sensory experiences in your store:

Benefits of the sensory experience for brands

The sensory experience helps brands stand out from the competition, increase the perceived value of their products, and create an emotional connection with customers.

Creating an Emotional Connection

When we engage all five senses in a shopping experience, we’re going beyond the simple act of selling a product. We’re creating an emotional connection with the customer.

We know that strong emotions are tied to our most lasting memories, so by providing a memorable, emotionally charged experience, we’re fostering customer loyalty and making sure they remember our brand in the future.

Market Differentiation

In today’s competitive retail world, it’s vital for your brand to stand out.

Sensory rooms can provide a unique advantage, setting your brand apart from competitors. Offering an immersive, multisensory experience is a powerful way to stand out and create a unique identity for your brand.

Added Value

The sensory experience adds value to the customer’s purchase, making it more than a simple transaction.

The customer isn’t just taking a product home, but a complete experience that engaged all of their senses. This can justify a higher price and increase profit margins for your brand.

Longer Dwell Time in the Store

When you provide an engaging sensory experience, customers tend to stay in the store longer. That’s because they’re immersed in an environment that stimulates their senses.

As a result, a longer visit increases the chances that customers will discover more products they like, which in turn raises the likelihood of generating more sales.

It Drives Word of Mouth

Creating a unique, unforgettable shopping experience makes customers want to share it with friends and family.

That’s where valuable word-of-mouth marketing comes into play, amplifying your brand’s visibility in a genuine, personal way.

Conclusion

Investing in sensory experiences at the point of sale is a strategy for transforming the way your customers interact with your brand.

By creating a shopping environment that engages all the senses, you deliver a richer, more appealing, and more memorable retail experience.

This not only boosts your sales opportunities and dwell time in the store, but also drives valuable word-of-mouth marketing, helping expand your brand’s visibility.

However, it’s important to conduct research to truly understand your audience and offer experiences that align with their expectations and desires. And you can count on us to help.

Get in touch with us and learn how you can create unique experiences for your customers and unlock your business’s full potential.

FAQ – People Also Ask:

What are sensory rooms for points of sale? Sensory rooms are spaces specially designed to engage the customer’s senses, delivering an immersive, delightful, and unique experience. This involves using techniques and technologies to stimulate customers’ sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.
Why should I consider the sensory experience in retail? The sensory experience can significantly improve the customer experience and increase sales. When their senses are engaged, customers tend to spend more time in the store, increasing the chances that they’ll make a purchase. In addition, a unique and memorable experience can lead customers to share it with others, driving word-of-mouth marketing.
What types of retail sectors can benefit from sensory experiences? Any retail sector can benefit from sensory experiences. Whether it’s a furniture store that uses different lighting scenarios to showcase its products or a bakery that uses the aroma of fresh bread to draw in customers, the possibilities are nearly endless.
How can I implement a sensory experience in my store? There are several strategies for introducing a sensory experience into your store, and they can be adapted to the nature of your business and the profile of your target audience. For example, you can use lighting and décor to create an environment that highlights your products’ attributes and encourages customer interaction. You can include themed spaces and strategic lighting to spotlight specific products, and choose colors and materials that evoke certain emotions or sensations.