When Augmented Reality debuted as a technological breakthrough, its potential was undeniably visible to many. Today, the impact of augmented reality has been felt in many sectors, and more so in the furniture industry with the likes of Wayfair and IKEA leading the way in the residential furniture space. Look for ‘furniture android app’ or ‘augmented reality furniture iPhone app’ on your Google Play Store or iTunes and you’ll find quite a few apps. The popularity these apps is explained since augmented reality has improved the way many homeowners shop for furniture. With the use of augmented reality, it is easier for individuals to pick manufacturers’ or retailers’ catalog items that they feel will look nice in their homes, and virtually try them out in the space. It allows them to visualize how the items would look and fit.
Augmented reality and the commercial furniture market
Augmented reality has tremendous potential to improve sales and customer experience in the commercial furniture segment — that is, manufacturers, retailers and designers in the business to business (B2B) space. By incorporating augmented reality in their sales and marketing endeavors, sales and marketing teams can enhance the overall buyer’s journey, conclude business to business transactions faster, and improve the experience of their corporate customers. Just as the shopping experience of residential buyers is improved by visualizing home furniture in their home before buying, business owners or procurement teams benefit immensely from augmented reality by being able to visualize furniture before making their purchases.
Taking Furniture to a Client’s Site Helps to Conclude the Sale Faster
When a commercial sales team can show to their prospective buyers or clients how their office setting, or business area would look with different products options it makes decision making easier. This is exactly what augmented reality helps achieve. To wow their commercial customers, creative sales teams can place furniture items in augmented reality in the client’s physical space or recreate the settings of their office or commercial place in 3D and place full-scale virtual items in that 3D space. The sales reps can show multiple fabric and material combinations, capture images and email share instantly. When decision makers can see how the furniture can transform their facility, they will be convinced to purchase.
It Helps Save Time
Augmented reality can save time for both, furniture businesses and their commercial buyers. It is always easier and faster to make decisions about purchases when business owners or procurement teams can visualize what they are going to pay for and visualize items in the exact places they are going to be. It is often said that time is money and furniture businesses can improve the experience of their B2B clients by helping them save time using augmented reality.
It Inspires Creativity
With augmented reality, it is easier for resourceful individuals to create better looking environment with the furniture in your catalog. They can always add and remove items until they arrive at what will make the perfect sense in any commercial setting. With the ability to easily showcase multiple furniture items and combinations of fabrics and material in real environment, sales teams can be creative in showcasing products and offering the best solutions to clients.
It Will Save Cost
Moving office equipment and the sort of large furniture that is needed in a commercial setting costs money. In case of mis-matches, it may be necessary to return some items that do not fit properly in the space. Augmented reality technology takes care of this problem. With AR, buyers can try before they buy, ensuring the final purchase is accurate and the chances of returns are minimal.
Using augmented reality furniture industry solution for business to business transactions makes things easier. It will also improve customer satisfaction and strengthen business relationships.