Snap today offers an update on AR Enterprise Services (ARES), the company’s recently announced initiative focused on providing AR tools and expertise to businesses that want to use Snapchat’s technology in their own websites and apps. At its Partner Summit on Wednesday, the company showed partners its Shopping Suite, which includes features such as AR Try-On and 3D product viewing, among other things, and announced a bag -an offering called AR Mirrors that aims to bring AR tech to physical screens. the real world.
Coca-Cola is using the technology to create an AR-enabled vending machine and other retailers, including Men’s Warehouse and Nike, are testing the product, Snap said, noting that the technology could now be part of ARES.
The company first detailed its Shopping Suite during the official unveiling of ARES in March, explaining how businesses can use its features on their e-commerce sites and apps. Among the nearly half dozen features included in the suite are those that allow users to view products from all angles, get fit and size recommendations based on their shape body, etc. to use AR experiences to virtually try on items such as clothing, accessories, or footwear. Snap noted that customers using the suite of tools include sunglasses retailer Goodr, clothing company Princess Polly and Mongolian manufacturer Gobi Cashmere, to name a few.
Snap noted that Goodr found that their customers were 81% more likely to add products to their cart after using the AR Try-On. They also saw a 67% increase in conversion for mobile device users, which led to a 59% increase in revenue per shopper. Princess Polly provided over 50 million fit and size recommendations and saw a 24% lower return rate when they used Snap’s technology. Gobi reports that Snap features lead to 4x conversions.
Also demoed today was Live Garment Transfer, a tool that facilitates AR asset creation for retailers by allowing them to upload 3D assets to Lens Studio. Retailers can create a Lens that applies 3D animated clothing over what users are wearing in real time, with no special assets required.
Image Credits: Snap
Businesses access the Shopping Suite solution through a front-end dashboard and backend infrastructure where they create and manage their AR assets, build AR experiences, manage 3D asset catalogs, and implement Shopping Suite SDK. Meanwhile, Snap provides an in-house team that assists clients with onboarding and using the suite’s features.
Now, Snap’s ARES business line will expand to include another new option, with the launch of AR Mirrors, announced today.
This offering brings AR features to physical spaces and events, Snap said, allowing customers to play with AR in the real world — like physical stores, for example. The product is focused on engaging customers and improving the in-store experience, although it may not be a significant business given the unique nature of these types of experiences.
Image Credits: Snap
Snap says Men’s Warehouse and Nike are using its AR Mirrors in stores. It currently has an AR Mirror in a Men’s Wearhouse store to prepare shoppers for prom and wedding season and said Nike, which was the first pilot tester last fall, will later this year test AR Mirrors for of shoes in stores.
The company also cited studies that found brands that use AR in stores are 82% more likely to be recommended and 85% more likely to inspire future purchases.
Image Credits: Snap
Snap added that it is already working with Coca-Cola on an AR-enabled vending machine where users can reach up and use hand gestures to control what’s on the screen. The machine is a prototype but designed to blend the physical and digital experience together, the company said.