Obsess has been acquired by Infinite Reality. Learn more [here](https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-virtual-shopping-platform-obsess).
Obsess has been acquired by Infinite Reality. Learn more [here](https://www.theinfinitereality.com/news/infinite-reality-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-virtual-shopping-platform-obsess).
Obsess is reinventing the way alcohol brands engage their consumers. Through our virtual experiences, alcohol and spirits brands can meet their customers online with immersive environments accessible via web or mobile, and create new ways to maximize event sponsorships, or host online events.
Brands can build a branded virtual experience hosted on their websites for consumers to learn more about their brand, join exclusive events or purchase products from a multitude of retailers. By integrating with alcohol retailer’s sites through multi-retailer checkout, brands’ e-commerce platforms or alcohol delivery services like Drizly—alcohol brands can facilitate convenient purchases and ensure a seamless user buying experience.
Obsess virtual stores empower alcohol brands to engage their target audience on a deeper level in an immersive and interactive environment. Brands can take their consumers through their production processes and guide them through their facilities—for example, capturing the beauty of a vineyard or distillery.
Alcohol brands can also use virtual stores to maximize their sponsorship strategy, complimenting their partner assets with engaging content, gamified experiences or transportative audio and playlists—increasing brand recognition for their partners.
Obsess virtual stores have the ability to incorporate social commerce features such as live streaming capabilities, Shop with Friends, Branded Avatars and more. These virtual experiences serve as a way to host exclusive events, enabling alcohol brands to double down on customer loyalty efforts. For example, Corona Premier used their Virtual Clubhouse to host an exclusive sweepstakes for their consumers, taking one lucky winner on an all-inclusive trip to the 2023 US Open. Alcohol brands can also host tasting events or promotional events when releasing new flavors to strengthen their community.
Unlock new possibilities in the world of alcohol by embracing technology with immersive experiences, and enhance brand engagement.
To learn more about how Obsess virtual stores can be used to engage your community of consumers, contact our team at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.
Gaming companies are constantly seeking innovative strategies to cut through the marketplace noise and effectively reach their target audience. Traditional online gaming stores, with their static user interface, often leave users without much to consume or to interact with; immersive 3D environments transform game discovery by letting gamers explore endless content, interact with games prior to purchase and engage in game-centric activities, challenges and discussions.
Virtual stores offer gaming companies a way to incorporate extensive game-related content into their marketing and storytelling. Companies can construct interactive displays to reveal developer insights, character backgrounds and intricate storyline details.
Virtual gaming experiences present a unique opportunity for game development companies to deliver exclusive content. Game developers can tease their audience with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes footage or even early access to certain levels or characters; generating gamer interest and building attachment, leading to increased sales over time.
This contextualization deepens the connection between gamers and their selected games. Users are empowered with the freedom to delve into game-worlds, preview scenarios, purchase merchandise and more, facilitating an engaging gaming journey.
To learn more about how Obsess virtual stores can be used to enhance your brand’s relationship with your gamers, contact our team at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of global e-commerce, consumer electronics companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out from the competition and capture the attention of tech-savvy consumers. One such solution that has emerged as a game-changer is the concept of virtual stores. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, consumer tech brands can create dedicated brand showrooms and virtual flagships that offer immersive and engaging experiences to customers.
1. Immersive Brand Showrooms
Virtual store technology allows consumer tech brands to create highly interactive and immersive brand showrooms that replicate the essence of their brand. By utilizing advanced features and designs, these virtual showrooms can showcase key products in a visually stunning and captivating environment. With the ability to drive consumer education and engagement, virtual stores provide an ideal platform for brands to highlight their product features, demonstrate functionalities and create a lasting impression on potential buyers.
2. Internal Training and Product Launches
Consumer electronics companies can also utilize virtual store technology for internal purposes, such as training team members on new products or conducting product launches. Virtual stores provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for disseminating knowledge and educating employees. With the ability to amplify content for education, brands can ensure that their workforce is well-equipped to provide exceptional customer support and technical assistance. Additionally, virtual stores enable consumer electronic companies to extend their educational initiatives to end consumers, further enhancing brand credibility and customer satisfaction.
3. Cost Savings and Global Reach
One of the most significant advantages of virtual stores for consumer electronics companies is the ability to maximize cost savings. By eliminating the need for physical infrastructure, rent and staffing costs associated with physical conferences and showrooms, brands can significantly reduce operational expenses. Moreover, virtual stores offer a wider global reach, enabling companies to break geographical barriers and tap into new markets. This expansion opens up immense growth opportunities for consumer tech brands and allows them to connect with a diverse customer base from around the world.
In the highly competitive world of consumer electronics, virtual electronics stores have emerged as a necessity for brands seeking to differentiate themselves and create unforgettable brand experiences. With their ability to provide immersive showrooms, drive engagement, offer cost-effective technical support and expand global reach, virtual stores empower consumer electronics companies to thrive in the digital era. By embracing this innovative technology, brands can captivate their audience, foster brand loyalty and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce.
To learn more about how Obsess virtual stores can be used to transform your brand’s presence and unlock new opportunities in the digital realm, contact our team at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.
In today’s fast-paced world, where convenience and innovation are paramount, Home Appliance brands face the challenge of providing customers with an immersive and seamless shopping experience. That’s where the Obsess virtual store platform comes in, revolutionizing the way people shop for appliances and transforming the industry as we know it.
With the Obsess virtual store platform, Home Appliance brands can now offer their customers a truly interactive and immersive 3D shopping environment. Gone are the days of static product descriptions and limited visuals. Our platform empowers customers to explore a wide range of appliances, evaluate their features and functionalities, and visualize how they will fit into their homes or storefronts, all from the comfort of their own screens.
Imagine being able to try out appliances virtually, interact with them to learn more about their functions and efficiencies, and watch videos showcasing their capabilities in action. The Obsess virtual store platform brings these possibilities to life, bridging the gap between physical and online shopping. Customers can now make informed decisions, confident that the appliances they choose are a perfect fit for their needs.
But the benefits of the Obsess virtual store platform don’t stop there. We understand that shopping is a social experience, and our platform reflects that. With our innovative features, customers can invite friends, family members, or colleagues to join their shopping journey. Collaborate, gather opinions, and make decisions together in real-time. It’s a truly engaging and interactive experience that enhances the overall satisfaction of the shopping process.
We’ve also incorporated gamification into the platform, adding an element of discoverability and interactivity to the shopping experience. Customers can participate in guided quizzes to test their knowledge and set themselves up for success. And for those who enjoy a challenge, themed virtual scavenger hunts—like collecting glowing electricity bolts throughout an electrical appliance virtual store—unlocks enticing incentives and makes the shopping journey even more rewarding for consumers.
Our platform equips all appliance virtual stores with a wealth of resources to support customers in their appliance shopping journey. Whether it’s information on installation, maintenance, or support, customers can access comprehensive guides and live chat integration for guided shopping. We aim to provide the ultimate convenience and assistance to ensure a seamless and satisfying experience for every customer.
When customers are ready to make a purchase, the Obsess virtual store platform offers a seamless checkout process via e-commerce integration.
So, if you’re a Home Appliance brand looking to transform the way your customers shop, it’s time to explore the possibilities offered by the Obsess virtual store platform. Embrace the future of Home Appliance shopping today and provide your customers with an unparalleled experience that will set your brand apart from the competition.
Book a demo to learn more about the Obsess virtual store platform and unlock a world of endless possibilities for your appliance business.
Virtual car showrooms have revolutionized the way we shop for cars, offering an immersive and educational buying journey. Through advanced visualizations, comprehensive information and personalized guidance, consumers can explore and select their dream car while avoiding the traditional high-pressure sales tactics. By the time buyers schedule an in-person test drive, they are already equipped with knowledge and confidence, leading to a more rewarding and efficient car-buying experience. Empower your shoppers to discover, explore and select their dream car at their own pace, from anywhere in the world with Obsess virtual showrooms for automotive brands.
1. Embrace Immersion
Virtual car showrooms provide a visually captivating and interactive experience that transports potential buyers into a virtual automotive wonderland. With high-quality 3D models, realistic animations and detailed visualizations, consumers can explore every angle and detail of their desired car, as if they were physically present at a dealership. From the exterior design to the interior features, buyers can visualize their future car in stunning detail, creating a strong emotional connection before making any commitments.
2. Education at Your Fingertips
One of the key advantages of virtual showrooms is the wealth of information readily available to consumers. Instead of relying solely on salespeople and printed brochures for product knowledge, buyers can digitally access comprehensive details about each car’s specifications, features and performance. Virtual showrooms will include informative pop-ups, videos and interactive elements that provide valuable insights. This immersive yet educational experience ensures that shoppers are well-informed about the cars they are considering, and empowers consumers to make educated decisions based on their preferences and needs.
3. Personalized Guidance
Virtual car showrooms also offer personalized guidance, tailored to individual preferences. Intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants can interact with consumers, answering questions, providing recommendations and guiding them through the car selection process. By understanding the buyer’s requirements and preferences, these virtual assistants can suggest suitable models, compare different options and help users narrow down their choices. The result is a hyper-personalized and efficient shopping experience.
4. Stress-Free Decision Making
Virtual showrooms alleviate the stress often associated with the traditional car-buying process by empowering buyers to explore at their own pace. Buyers can take their time with various models, comparing features and envisioning themselves behind the wheel. Without the pressure of an eager salesperson pushing for a quick sale, consumers can make decisions with clarity and confidence. This relaxed atmosphere fosters a positive buying experience, ensuring that buyers feel empowered and satisfied with their choices.
5. Convenient Test Drive Scheduling
Once buyers have thoroughly explored their desired car virtually, the next step is scheduling an in-person test drive. Virtual showrooms simplify this process by integrating with the dealership’s booking systems. With a few clicks, users can select a convenient time slot and book their test drive, minimizing the hassle of coordinating schedules over the phone or in person. By the time buyers arrive for their test drive, they are already well-acquainted with the car, making the experience more focused and productive.
To learn more about how Obsess virtual stores can be used in the car buying journey, and empower your consumers through increased education, contact our team at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.
Obsess is enabling sports equipment brands and retailers to create immersive shopping experiences that provide comprehensive resources and information to educate customers about their products and the sport. With engaging videos, tutorials and expert advice, sporting goods brands are able to immerse their shoppers in their respective sport like a pro.
Virtualize Your Sporting Goods Retail Store
Specialized Bicycle Components created a shoppable, virtualized retail version of their IRL Chicago store. The virtual store mirrors the Chicago location, but contains additional interactive features such as promotional videos, a community wall, special events calendar and more, for online shoppers to engage with anywhere in the world.
From helmets and shoulder pads to gloves and cleats, virtual sporting goods stores carry a wide range of equipment for a diverse selection of sports at your fingertips. Virtual stores are able to connect with a multitude of retailers so sports brands’ customers can find their products on a variety of sites. Whether your shoppers are seasoned players or just starting out, they are able to find exactly what they need to enhance their performance.
Engage Sporting Goods Consumers with a Personalized Experience
Brands and retailers are also able to embed interactive content that is engaging and empowers their consumers to determine what they need. Customers can put their skills to the test with a virtual branded game, get product recommendations fit for their goals with personalized quizzes, host events in sponsorship with professional athletes or host a live streaming event around major sporting events. Obsess virtual stores enable brands to bring professional athletes and various sports personalities into the experience to engage with fans in avatar format or through promotional campaign content.
Virtual sporting goods stores are interactive experiences with a variety of content and features for sports enthusiasts to enjoy a one-stop-shop experience that combines shopping, learning and interactive fun.
To learn more about how virtual sporting goods stores are reshaping the sports industry, email us at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.
In the rapidly expanding realm of global e-commerce, where sales are projected to reach a staggering $6.3 trillion this year with an 8.9% growth rate, retailers and brands are engaged in a fierce battle for market share and customer loyalty (Insider Intelligence, 2023; Forbes Advisor, 2023). To gain a competitive edge and differentiate themselves from competitors, leading companies are embracing immersive virtual commerce experiences. Amidst this transformative landscape, we’ve set out to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the way consumers shop through our virtual commerce platform.
AI-Powered Virtual Stores
At the core of this retail revolution lies the synergy between AI technology and the widespread popularity of online gaming. We’re leveraging AI to expedite the creation of virtual stores, making the process faster and more cost-effective. By integrating generative AI tools, our platform can now rapidly design virtual stores, slashing setup time from weeks to mere hours in some cases. Moreover, AI elevates and optimizes these experiences through the inclusion of generative content, such as images, text, and music, effectively breathing life into these immersive digital shopping experiences.
Through the adoption of AI-generated imagery in these experiences, retailers can significantly reduce the costs associated with traditional photo shoots and content creation. By eliminating expenses related to human talent, travel, studio and equipment rental, shipping, styling, editing, and other services, brands can allocate their resources more efficiently while still building a compelling immersive experience.
A prime example of this cost-saving approach is Elizabeth Arden, a renowned beauty brand whose virtual store used AI to complete archival photos featured throughout their virtual store. Obsess used the DALLE-2 platform to edit existing imagery, optimizing the historic content to fit the modern context of a virtual store in an automated way.
AI-Generated Content in Virtual Stores
In addition to image AI platforms, Obsess has also begun to leverage tools like ChatGPT to generate informative product descriptions and scripts for branded avatars that engage with shoppers within the virtual stores. Furthermore, AI-generated music libraries contribute to an immersive auditory experience without the need to pay licensing fees for copyrighted hits.
The true power of AI lies in its ability to enhance the immersive shopping journey by introducing engaging and personalized features that drive session time and customer satisfaction. Obsess customer Babylist, an online baby registry company, created a virtual store that includes an AI-powered baby name generator. By inputting a baby’s due date, the AI algorithm considers a curated set of names of individuals born on that day, presenting the shopper with a personalized list of potential girl, boy, and gender-neutral names based on astrological signs. This unique gamified feature optimizes an important personalization feature in the brand’s virtual store, creating engaging and dynamic content for consumers at a higher efficiency rate.
Looking ahead, the future of virtual commerce promises even more profound AI-driven applications. As AI adoption proliferates, we can expect an explosion in the types, designs, and formats of our virtual stores, leading to further growth in this domain. The emergence of advanced 2D to 3D rendering, and even text to 3D rendering, will empower Obsess to collaborate with more brands to swiftly deploy and test virtual store experiences. These platforms will dynamically render the entire virtual store environments in real-time, providing personalized experiences for each individual consumer.
With AI technology serving as a catalyst for change, Obsess has already made remarkable strides in creating virtual stores that are faster, more cost-effective, engaging, and personalized. As network speeds continue to accelerate and graphics processors become more powerful, the next generation of the internet will be characterized by 3D immersive experiences that closely resemble the real world. In the coming years, every brand with an e-commerce store will undoubtedly embrace a 3D immersive version of its online presence, ensuring a seamless and captivating shopping journey for customers worldwide.
Looking ahead, Obsess will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible within our virtual experiences. We hope to continue to redefine the shopping landscape, offering retailers and brands an unprecedented opportunity to captivate customers and drive exponential growth in the evolving world of e-commerce. If your brand is interested in launching an engaging virtual store using Generative AI, contact us at contact@obsessvr.com or fill out your information here.
Citations:
Baluch, A. (February 2023), 38 E-Commerce Statistics Of 2023. Forbes Advisor. Cramer-Flood, E. (February 2023), Global Retail Ecommerce Forecast 2023: Welcome to the Slower-Growth New Normal. Insider Intelligence.
Obsess customer Coach has won a Webby People’s Choice Award for its Virtual Holiday Gift Shop. The award-winning experience is inspired by a nostalgic New York City abode, and features a mix of classic and seasonal styles—all cozied up beneath the chicest of Christmas Trees.
The Webby Awards
Hailed as “the Oscars of the Internet”, the Webby Awards honors the best on the internet, and is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Each category selects two winners: one judged by a prestigious panel of over 3000 industry experts and technology innovators, and the other by the public. Winners are selected based on their creativity, innovation and overall impact on the web.
Coach’s Virtual Holiday Gift Shop
Coach’s virtual experience received the honor as the 2022 Webby Awards People’s Choice winner in the Metaverse, Immersive, and Virtual category. The virtual experience is a prime example of how brands can use immersive technology to create immersive and engaging experiences for their customers—combining technology, innovation and creativity.
The experience is both visually appealing and interactive, and it provides a unique way for customers to shop for the holidays and learn what Coach stands for as a brand. Visitors to the shop can explore each room to unlock special shopping discounts, and even access a secret virtual space. The gamified shopping experience brought Coach’s digital strategy to the next level and set them apart from their competition. This award is a testament to Coach’s commitment to evolution, adding a competitive edge to their digital strategy by leaning into the trend of merging physical and digital shopping.
The company is always looking for new ways to connect with its customers, and its Obsess-powered Virtual Holiday Gift Shop is a perfect example of how technology can be used to create a truly memorable experience. Through social commerce elements such as the ability to shop with friends, Coach is able to foster a new online community.
To learn more about Coach’s addition to their online strategy with its Virtual Holiday Gift Shop and how they were able to generate customer loyalty and sales, email us at contact@obsessVR.com or book a demo.
Introducing AVA, A Virtual Store Editor and Builder
After 2+ years of development, Obsess has launched a self-service tool to empower our brand partners to easily create and manage Obsess-powered virtual stores, which include elements of virtual and augmented reality, gamification and interactive shopping. The forward-thinking, innovative addition to Obsess’ virtual store technology platform enables brands to create smarter, more dynamic stores that match consumers’ ever-evolving needs and align to brands’ marketing and merchandising calendars.
Virtual shopping experiences drive greater consumer engagement and e-commerce results, and with AVA by Obsess, brands can expedite content management and merchandising of fully branded, immersive, 3D virtual stores—simplifying how to create a virtual store. The powerful, first-to-market virtual store editor enables brands and retailers to make their virtual storefronts dynamic and easily implement optimizations to merchandising and content.
How to Create a Virtual Store with AVA
The AVA platform enables brands to customize an entire 3D virtual store without additional assets or 3D design experience—the virtual store editor was developed to provide 3D editing and merchandising technology to brands in a “no-code” format. To get started, AVA users simply have to upload a standard 3D media file into the content management system (CMS). Obsess’ patented rendering technology then converts it into a proprietary, web-compatible format for large-scale 3D environments. Brands can also easily integrate SKU-level data and product imagery from their E-commerce stores and dynamically place products throughout the virtual retail store.
Managing Dynamic Virtual Storefronts
In the words of Obsess Founder and CEO, Neha Singh: “In the same way that platforms like Shopify and Squarespace revolutionized digital presence enablement for brands, AVA by Obsess democratizes building for the next generation of the web—which is 3D, interactive, and experiential.”
Shopify enabled brands to seamlessly create storefronts for the traditional web grid interface; likewise, Obsess enables brands to seamlessly create shoppable virtual storefronts in 3D. Teams of all experiences can easily customize merchandising and styling in the virtual store editor, and are able to quickly add content hotspots to showcase immersive offerings such as in-scene videos, games, educational content, and avatars. Regardless of expertise, anyone on your team can make updates to your virtual store’s display through the CMS.
Expediting Optimizations with the Virtual Store Editor
“Brands need to keep their virtual experiences fresh, just like their websites,” says Singh. Virtual stores are an always-on, year-round sales channel that needs to be optimized regularly, and adapt to ongoing learnings about shoppers. As an immersive extension of the brand’s own website, Obsess-powered virtual store experiences offer more control compared to external platforms.
As an owned channel, virtual stores grant brands access to first-party customer behavioral data and 3D spatial insights, which can be used to optimize the experience for later iterations.
First-party data allows brands to increase the efficacy of their promotional content, and strategically highlight their products to increase engagement and conversion. From product placement to embedded media content, the AVA virtual store editor allows brands to make optimizations quickly and frequently.
AVA access is included as part of every managed service contract with Obsess. Every Obsess partner is able to use the tool as part of their annual subscription—they can choose to use the virtual store editor independently or work with their dedicated team to manage their virtual store. Get connected at contact@obsessvr.com to talk to the Obsess team about building a virtual store.
Reducing environmental impact is one of the key reasons that brands choose to build virtual stores. Likewise, sustainability is of the utmost importance to Obsess—in terms of how we function day-to-day as a company, and how we choose our partners and providers for our virtual stores.
To raise awareness around sustainable retail practices, and provide more robust transparency around virtual store carbon emissions, Obsess created a Carbon Emissions Calculator for Retail Stores. This free, public tool analyzes the energy output of brick-and-mortar retail stores, in comparison to virtual retail stores.
Learn how the Obsess platform supports a sustainable future:
1) Minimizing Waste and Carbon Emissions
The Obsess virtual store platform enables brands to create immersive selling environments that can be optimized, decorated, and staffed using fewer resources than traditional physical retail.
Every Obsess virtual store can be accessed via web browser. This means that consumers do not need to travel to access physical shopping locations, reducing their carbon footprint from transportation.
Store owners and managers do not need to transport physical goods into their retail locations when they supplement a virtual store for a physical one. Retailers use our proprietary virtual merchandising tool to showcase digital product imagery in virtual stores on an ongoing, dynamic basis.
Key virtual store platform features like quizzes and virtual try-ons allow consumers to better match products to their individual needs and styling. Better product matching leads to fewer returns—thus reducing any back-and-forth of items in transit, and ultimately mitigating excess carbon emissions.
Obsess retail partners are able to test demand for product inventory through virtual selling, leading to lower waste and better stock estimates at their physical store locations.
2) Increasing Transparency
Our technology empowers brands to increase visibility and engagement for their already-impactful content. The Obsess platform is 100% customizable, so brands can showcase sustainability messaging and visuals in a hyper-engaging, memorable context.
The Carbon Emissions Calculator for Retail Stores compares the energy output of brick-and-mortar retail stores, in comparison to virtual retail stores. If a retail or brand team is evaluating construction for a new physical store location, they use this tool to assess its potential carbon impact—and compare it to the impact of a virtual store alternative.
3) Efficient Energy Usage
As a fully managed SaaS (Software as a Service) platform, Obsess relies on a technology infrastructure that can support top-tier web performance, without compromising environmental impact.
Web hosting for Obsess virtual stores:
Our primary hosting provider is 3.6X more energy efficient than other hosting providers in the US, and 5X more energy efficient than other hosting providers in Europe. It is on track to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Our provider is heavily invested in sustainable innovation—from the chip designs of their servers, to the cooling systems for their data centers. Their latest chips use up to 60% less energy, and their latest cooling technology uses 20% less energy.
Content Delivery Network (CDN) for Obsess virtual stores:
Our primary global Content Delivery Network (CDN) provider has committed to powering its network of servers with 100% renewable energy and offsetting or removing all historical emissions associated with powering its network by 2025.
4) Daily Sustainable Practices
The full Obsess team is devoted to making positive choices that support a sustainable mission, particularly in our offices.
88% of all Obsess employees commute into an office via either public transit or walking. The majority of remaining employees work from home and do not require transportation at all.
Our New York-based headquarters has eliminated the use of single-use plastics.
The office provider for our New York-based headquarters will be carbon neutral in 2023. It is 2.5X more energy efficient than a typical office.
Obsess is committed to a sustainable future. To learn more about how virtual stores and the metaverse can help the retail industry with sustainability, check out this post.
