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As Shopify experts, we are constantly on the pulse of what is new in the world of eCommerce. The online world changes rapidly, being at forefront of emerging trends is the only place you want to be.
A research by Walker Sands Digital found that one-quarter of consumers (24%) owned Amazon Echo or Google Home, and more consumers (20%) planned to purchase these in 2018. In addition, Salesforce reported that 40% of millennials used voice assistants like Siri and Bixby via their smartphones.
These findings are significant because consumers use these devices to make purchases. In fact, Consumer Research Intelligence Partners reported that owners of Amazon Echo spent an average of $1,600 per year, compared to the $1,300 per-year average of Prime consumers.
Augmented reality (AR) is expected to become mainstream in 2018.
For starters, AR technology shows a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world. For example in Amazon’s AR View App, you can see how their products would look like through your phone camera. This is extremely useful if you’re buying décor and you need to visualize your purchases. You can easily determine how a vase would improve the aesthetic of your home, and what color you should buy. You could also determine if a furniture would fit in a specific space in your home.
Augmented reality is also making strides in the beauty industry. Take for instance Sephora’s Virtual Artist App which allows users to try on thousands of lip colors, using their mobile application. This lets you easily identify the right shades that would look great on you. You also don’t have to experience the hassle of putting the lipstick itself, removing it, and repeating the process until you find one that you like.
In 2018, augmented reality is also expected to expand in retail. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to use it to determine what sizes of clothes or shoes fits you. You’ll also be able to see yourself in your chosen outfit or shoes, without the hassle of going in-store and trying everything in a dressing room.
Gartner predicts that by 2020, 85% of consumer interactions will happen without interacting with a single human.
This is no surprise since big brands are using chatbots to provide customer service.
For example, Starbucks launched the mobile app My Starbucks barista and took customers’ orders via messaging and voice recognition. It then processed these payment and identified the Starbucks branch that consumers should order from.
Fashion brands have also used chatbots to improve the customer experience. For instance, Aerie by American Eagle Outfitters has used chatbots to move customers along the the buying cycle. They asked consumers the product they’re looking for, and narrowed the search down through a series of questions.
What makes chatbots unique is their ability to generate data on a consumer’s product preferences, based on how they respond to marketing campaigns and how they behave on the site. Meaning that they know the best way to direct customers down the sales funnel.
Their ability to interact like normal people is a major plus too!
Are there any eCommerce trends that we’ve missed? Get in Touch.
Chris has been at the forefront of eCommerce and a pioneer of online retailing since the early 00s. A 5-time Drapers Award winner, Chris has extensive experience in developing fashion brands online.
Chris founded Cake in 2016. Based in Birmingham, with offices nationwide, Cake specialises in helping fashion brands understand their market online and then helps to develop appropriate strategical direction to achieve their plan, all backed by his 20 years of operating in the retail market.
