The evolution of customer expectations

According to a PWC study, "43% of buyers are willing to pay more for a good customer experience". A figure that cannot be taken lightly. Indeed, the buying experience must remain memorable.

The world is changing, consumer habits are constantly evolving and companies must continually adapt.

The main disadvantage of e-commerce is the dematerialization of the product at the time of purchase. With a few photographs and product characteristics, it is difficult to get a real idea of the product. If the comments of the consumers can direct our research, it is impossible for us to make our own opinion before the reception of the purchase.

Retailers must adapt to this new generation of online shoppers. Indeed, the Statista report of 2021 shows that 48.5 million French people will buy online in 2021. However, the current websites do not seem to meet the expectations of customers who expect other experiences.

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An innovative shopping experience: the virtual showroom

The Virtual Showroom combines the physical with the digital to create a simple and innovative response to customer expectations. The use of a digital twin makes it possible to completely rethink the customer's journey in a virtual store in order to offer him a different and immersive experience.

Thanks to our partner Matterportthe world leader in digital twins, we can enhance the digital twin by superimposing on it interactions that will enhance the virtual visit and facilitate transactions . Thus, you can guide the customer towards the products he likes, assist him in his choices by videoconference, inform him, and guide him with relevance towards additional purchases. Coupled with the market's CMS (Shopify, Magento, Prestashop), the transaction is as simple as on a classic e-commerce site. Connected with the stocks, the virtual showroom also allows to make the link with the physical points of sale: it is an excellent gas pedal of drive to store.

Data management and analytics are essential in improving the customer experience. Virtual stores are evaluated in the same way as websites, on several metrics such as customer conversion rates, customer journey, interactions, waiting times or satisfaction measurement. Theanalysis is fully customizable.

According to a Shopify study, 40% of brands say offering a new shopping experience to consumers to stay competitive will be a priority this year.

But what are the real advantages of a virtual showroom?

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The advantages of a virtual showroom

The virtual showroom is an extension of an e-commerce site and allows for a much improved customer experience. Thanks to virtual reality, the consumer can now project himself by visualizing his product from every angle and immerse himself in the brand's universe. Jean Michel CECCONI, Director of Open Innovation at Nespresso France, declared at the launch of the virtual boutique model: "Our clients tell us that they are waiting for this type of experience and that the virtual store is twice as satisfying as the Nespresso e-commerce site experience.

With the help of augmented reality, it is now possible to project a product in its environment by using a QR code from your mobile. What could be easier to check the size of a piece of furniture before buying it in a virtual store?

These technologies reassure the customer during his purchase. Moreover, using them is also a way to stand out from the competition and boost your visibility.

Just like an e-commerce website, the virtual showroom is available everywhere, 24/7. It does not require a virtual reality headset, but simply a computer or a smartphone. Finally, the customer can make his purchases in one click.

A virtual showroom is customizable and easily modifiable. It will also help develop sales. According to Accenture, 74% of people who have experienced immersive technologies on a product acknowledge that they are more likely to buy it afterwards. Moreover, 60% of those who have already bought via a virtual store want to do it again.

In addition to a point of sale, this tool is a good way to pursue the total commerce strategy. That is to say, sell first, by all available means, on all available channels.

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A solution to avoid deploying a point of sale?

The initial investment of a store is high, between the staff, the expenses, the rent of the point of sale and the immobilization of the stock.

For brands present only online, the virtual showroom is a real alternative to the point of sale. Indeed, the implementation of a virtual showroom allows to avoid the costs linked to the physical point of sale while offering the same advantages:

• store visit
• restitution of the merchandising strategy
• the possibility to talk to a customer advisor
• instant purchases  

Moreover, this approach is part of an ecological approach. By limiting stocks and facilitating the virtual visit, a brand can offer its customers a virtual visit that will save the buyer an energy-consuming trip. This is particularly true when setting up a showroom to present a collection. For example, the virtual showrooms of the Kenzo brand have allowed a saving of 1200 tons of CO2. This is a brand new experience in the phygitalat the crossroads between the physical and the digital. Moreover, it is also the beginning of v-commercein case you want to make it a virtual store.

All you have to do is try it for yourself: Try the experience.

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Summary of the advantages of a virtual showroom

1. Improved customer experience
2. Reassure the consumer during his purchase
3. Stand out from the competition
4. Boost your visibility
5. Available everywhere, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
6. One-click shopping
7. Easy modifications
8. Customization of the virtual showroom
9. Application of e-merchandising
10. Sales development
11. New distribution channel
12. Ecological approach

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