Sneaker shopping online can be an exciting yet stressful process especially when prices for classic pairs seem to keep going up. Questioning the fit, return policy, or if they’ll even look good on is tough when viewing from a two-dimensional (2D) screen. The good news is that Augmented Reality (AR) is geared up and ready to help solve this dilemma.
While still in its infancy, AR is beginning to creep its way into the sneaker industry. Titans like Nike and Adidas have been developing technologies utilizing AR to help consumers determine the best fit for their shoes so they may have a better experience when purchasing sneakers. Belarus start-up company Wannaby has taken the charge by creating an app called Wanna Kicks which utilizes AR to allow consumers to try before they buy, and it’s incredibly simple; choose one of their 3D models, point it at your feet, and now you’re rocking the next hype shoe.
Why does this matter?
By utilizing AR, companies can solve a problem most retailers and customers face, which is the process of buying, and returning shoes. Companies are seeing high return rates when shopping online and it’s because customers aren’t able to get an idea of how a pair will look or feel until they try them on. This can get especially dicey when shopping on marketplaces like StockX and GOAT, two of the most popular reselling platforms, as returns are not allowed, and prices can get high for limited edition or hard-to-find shoes. With AR, Wanna Kicks is helping enthusiasts, as well as casual consumers, visualize what these kicks will look like, saving both the consumer and company time and money, and creating an overall better shopping experience. As Sergey Arkhangelskiy, CEO of Wannaby, puts it “Our mission is to break online shopping barriers.”
Wanna Kick’s has taken this emerging technology to go all-in with it is the first step to making 3D solutions like AR a standard in digital solutions. With big companies like Google, Apple, Nike, Adidas, and other technological titans, it will be interesting to see if they jump into the world of AR and create competition for apps like Wanna Kicks.
Based on this information, the takeaway is that AR is a technology that is still in its infancy but is emerging with new solutions to problems that face the consumer and business. Utilizing AR, businesses can break barriers that exist between them and their consumers. AR solutions like Wanna Kicks will prove to be of great benefit and a pioneer for this consumer aiding technology.
