{"id":21123,"date":"2023-02-08T04:51:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T04:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meretailnews.com\/?p=21123"},"modified":"2023-02-08T07:40:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T07:40:20","slug":"metaverse-is-the-future-for-uae-retail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meretailnews.com\/2023\/02\/08\/metaverse-is-the-future-for-uae-retail\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Metaverse is the future’ for UAE retail"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nIn the fast-paced world of retail, staying ahead of the competition means providing customers with a memorable and convenient shopping experience.<\/p>\n
As such, retailers in the region are taking to virtual reality to retain customers and engage with them in creative ways.<\/p>\n
Last month, a beauty brand in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates took this to the next level with the launch of its VR-enabled stall<\/a>. Open from January 21 to 29, it allowed customers to preview and test products without the need for physical application.<\/p>\n Shoppers could use cameras to create an avatar projected onto a screen, which would also show them a range of available products. They could then choose a product and apply it virtually.<\/p>\n Nerissa Low is the founder of Liht Organics, the beauty brand behind this VR-enabled stall.<\/p>\n Speaking to ME Retail News<\/em>, Ms Low said: \u201cthe podium at Mall of the Emirates was a good chance to showcase the brand’s products, as well as to give an insight into the brand’s progressive direction towards the future of beauty with the first beauty VR experience here in the Middle East\u201d.<\/p>\n She explained that shoppers worldwide, especially in the Middle East, have been looking for more engaging ways to connect with brands.<\/p>\n Ms Low added that while her company is planning major expansion into the Middle East, she will be curating product launches that are specifically created for the Middle East market, where technology is playing a major role in everyday life.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Metaverse<\/a> is the future, with consumers now looking for more immersive and experiential storytelling platforms that teleports them from their current reality.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, a 2021 report by YouGov cited the UAE as a major market for augmented reality, and said that UAE residents were willing to adopt it for retail shopping as well.<\/p>\n The report noted that large proportions \u2014 53 per cent \u2014 in the UAE are likely to shop for clothes using virtual reality tools.<\/p>\n In fact, 42 per cent of respondents said they bought clothes online, while only 30 per cent shopped for clothes at a physical store.<\/p>\n Similarly, 46 per cent of those surveyed said they would use VR<\/a> to purchase technology and home appliances.<\/p>\n In fact, by 2021, Chalhoub Group had already installed such technologies at brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Tryano and Max Mara.<\/p>\n This tech can create more personalised experiences for the customers, from finding to fitting clothes.<\/p>\n They were also using AI to recommend products customers might like, and become smarter in how they purchase and price their products.<\/p>\n The group had also said that artificial intelligence and augmented reality are revolutionising the way people shop for clothing, making it easier and more convenient to find and try on pieces they love.<\/p>\n With these technologies, shoppers can preview and visualise how an item will look on them, without the need for a traditional changing room experience.<\/p>\n The Neiman Marcus Group is a luxury retailer, operating stores such as Bergdorf Goodman.<\/p>\n To enhance the shopping experience for its customers, the company has developed and implemented the memory mirror technology across its stores.<\/p>\n The memory mirror allows customers to easily record and review their fashion try-ons, perform side-by-side comparisons, and share the results with friends and family through text, email and social media.<\/p>\n In addition, Neiman Marcus has also deployed versions of the memory mirror specifically for trying on sunglasses and for virtual makeovers.<\/p>\n Mohammad Baker, CEO of global retailer GMG, told<\/a> Arabian Business this year that experts view the integration of augmented reality and virtual reality as a transformative development in the realm of online shopping.<\/p>\n He said that these technologies empower customers to experience virtual try-ons of fashion items, accessories and makeup, all from the comfort of their own homes.<\/p>\n