Experiential shopping is moving from novelty to necessity. Analysts expect that by 2025 one third of U.S. consumers will use augmented reality during their purchase journey, and eMarketer projects voice-commerce sales will pass thirty-five billion dollars worldwide by 2026, more than double 2023 volume. Brands that experiment with these technologies now will set the standard for tomorrow’s buyers.
AR layers digital objects onto the real world through a phone camera, helping shoppers visualise products at home. Furniture retailers place sofas in living rooms, beauty brands let customers test lipstick shades, and eyewear companies offer virtual try-ons. Shopify’s AR Quick Look supports USDZ or glTF models without an app, while Magento connects to ViewAR or Sketchfab viewers for mobile-optimised 3D previews. Houzz saw an eleven-fold jump in conversions after adding its view-in-room feature, and returns fell because buyers were clearer about fit and style.
VR headsets transport shoppers into fully digital stores. Automotive brands host virtual test drives, and fashion labels debut runway collections in immersive spaces. Meta reports lifetime Quest headset sales above ten million units, signalling a growing audience for VR retail. Adobe Commerce merchants can work with Unity or Unreal Engine partners to recreate catalogues in VR, and Shopify brands use platforms like Obsess to launch virtual flagships. Early pilots show visitors spend more time exploring products, which lifts brand recall and engagement metrics.
Smart speakers simplify reorders and hands-free purchases. PYMNTS research indicates that roughly four in ten smart-speaker owners have completed at least one purchase by voice. Amazon sellers can deploy Alexa skills that let customers add items to carts or check delivery status. Google Assistant Actions integrate Shopify and BigCommerce catalogues through approved partners. Optimise product names with natural language, and keep inventory feeds up to date so voice responses match available stock.
Begin with a single product line and create high-quality 3D assets for AR. Compress file sizes so previews load quickly on mobile networks. For VR, start with a branded showroom for a seasonal launch, then gather feedback on dwell time and interaction rates. In voice, identify frequently reordered items and craft concise voice descriptions. Measure conversions, time on page, and repeat purchase rates to validate each experiment.
Augmented reality, virtual reality, and voice commerce turn passive browsing into interactive shopping. By piloting these technologies now, retailers can reduce returns, boost engagement, and open fresh revenue channels before competitors catch up.
Ready to build a better e-commerce shop? Contact MageMontreal today to get expert AR, VR, and voice commerce solutions that drive results.
