Amazon, Augmented Reality, and the Future of Retail
There is a good deal of speculation that retail is dead. I don't buy into that, and won't buy into that, as I believe that the majority of America still shops, but they are simply not finding what they need in a brick and mortar store.
Many times, they will see an item, not exactly but similar to what they are seeking. Perhaps it is the wrong size, the wrong color, the wrong style. They will head home and find a more perfect match online, and that in store sale is lost. While stores have gotten better at having floor associates assist with online ordering, taking it out of control of the shopper somewhat dampens the spirit for many of them.
I believe retail can be saved with a combination of augmented reality booths and consumer kiosks that allow the consumer to control the online ordering process.
Amazon has announced its entry into the AR game with a patent for a mirror that allows you to "try on" products (https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/3/16844300/amazon-patent-mirror-virtual-clothes-fashion). This is probably the best indicator yet of Amazon's desire to move into brick and mortar retail, but more to the point, it is a tangible step towards giving customers to try on the product without actually having the product on hand.
Sidenote: this has the added benefit of relieving germophobes of concerns they might be handling apparel that has been tried on by incredibly unhygienic persons).
As technology and culture advance, it is critical for business to advance with it, and Amazon's patent could well be a gamechanger in this regard.
Very interesting stuff @timjoad. I love walking around stores even if i don't buy anything.
Just wanted to give a few tips about posting.
-You could have got another tag in there too @timjoad, you only used four
-Having at least one picture at the top makes the post much more enticing and eye-catching. If you can blend photography into the post, even better! The other thing this allows you to do is use the poplar tag "Photography."
-One thing I have done is go and look at posts of people that posted something similar to what I am going to, and if it was a successful post, I try to adopt some of their format and look at the tags.
-Tags, i think show up on the left of your feed in order of popularity if I am not mistaken, ask yourself if your post fits into any of those tags.
So glad to see you on here, bud!
I appreciate the feedback. Loving your journal.
Right now, my time online is extremely limited, and to public access computers, so I don't have as many images to work with, and am trying to stay away from copyright violations.
I should be a few weeks from being back online; until then I am focusing on curating and making connections.
Appreciate the thoughts!