How to Use Augmented Reality (AR) for UK Retail Campaigns

You may find it surprising to hear that the phenomenon of Augmented Reality can be traced back to the 20th century! However, the term ‘augmented reality’ was not coined until the 1990s, when researchers began describing the technology that overlaid digital information onto the real world. I still remember the days when businesses and entrepreneurs were hesitant to trust modern methods and relied almost entirely on traditional methods. However, over the past few years, digital technologies have become increasingly accepted, paving the way for innovative tools like AR to become more appealing, acting as a key component in marketing strategies and retail campaigns in the UK. 

A survey by Zenith states that almost 72% of adults in the UK find AR fun and engaging, driving brands and businesses in the country to adopt AR-infused marketing strategies that meet the current trends while aligning with the growing expectations of customers. I’m Tony John, the founder of SpiderWorks Technologies, one of the top Digital Marketing Agencies in Birmingham, and we stay atop the list by working on crafting immersive marketing experiences through creatives and campaigns to keep our customers engaged. In this blog, we’ll look at how businesses in the country can use Augmented Reality (AR) for UK retail campaigns and how you can offer your customers vibrant and memorable experiences. 

What is Augmented Reality Advertising?

Augmented Reality advertising can be defined as a form of digital marketing that utilizes Augmented Reality technology to craft engaging and vibrant experiences for consumers. The AR technology works by overlaying and overlapping the real-world environment with digital components that include text, images, videos, or graphics through smart devices to create a reality that blends both together. 

Augmented Reality advertising is mainly used by businesses and entrepreneurs to demonstrate their services and products in a way where users can digitally interact with them. This can be done through versatile platforms, from QR codes to mobile applications to social media filters. One of the key advantages of AR is that anyone with a smartphone can enjoy and experience it. This makes AR one of the most effective tools in the digital era for increasing engagement and driving conversions while delivering memorable experiences for customers. 

Ways for UK Retail Campaigns to Use Augmented Reality 

The phenomenon of AR continues to transform the way businesses across the UK keep their customers engaged. The potential for creating immersive campaigns that connect digital experiences with physical spaces has grown substantially with AR. We have compiled some of the practical and impactful ways brands in the UK can use AR to create successful campaigns: 

Interactive Product Try-Ons

AR-powered product try-ons allow customers to visualise how a product looks before purchasing it. Let it be a pair of shoes, or headphones, or a new office chair; AR allows you to see the product in detail and up to scale. For example, brands like ASOS and Charlotte Tilbury have employed AR to gather better confidence in their products and reduce cancellations and return rates. By integrating AR into e-commerce sites and mobile applications, UK brands have managed to turn online browsing into a better and well-informed shopping experience for customers. 

AR Store Experience 

Virtual AR stores completely transform the way shopping works. Through interactive kiosks, AR Mirrors, and QR codes placed on shelves, customers can acquire detailed information on the product, including additional information such as how to style it or similar products. Some brands have utilised AI to showcase virtual rooms, increasing customer engagement through increased site visits. Moreover, this gives independent and local retailers opportunities to use AR tools and interactive campaigns to stay ahead in the highly competitive UK market. 

Social Media AR Filters

Social Media has become the most powerful platform for brands to connect with their audiences through fun, interactive, and engaging ways. As AR filters become more mainstream on trending social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, retailers now have the ability to create immersive brand experiences that users can interact with and share, increasing their digital presence while at the same time boosting brand awareness. 

AR on Packaging

One of the simplest ways to employ AR in marketing is by infusing it into your product package. This allows users to unlock fun and interactive 3D animations that can be digital catalogues or promotional offers. UK Retailers can use this to bridge the gap between offline components and online engagement, allowing customers to experience the brand beyond the store, staying competitive and relevant. 

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Main Benefits of AR in Marketing

UK retailers are utilising AR in marketing, as it can transform the way customers interact with their brand and significantly drive more conversions. Let us go through the benefits of AR that we have observed through our digital marketing services in Birmingham: 

Better Customer Engagement: AR helps in creating more immersive experiences that are simple but effective in capturing attention. The fun and interactive experiences not only keep customers involved with the brands but also build better relationships and encourage them to explore more while improving the chances of conversions through purchase. 

Improve Confidence in Brand: As customers get to interact with the digital counterparts of the products and services with AR before buying them, they have less uncertainty about the product. They can see in detail how the product looks and how it can potentially fit with the right scale. This means guaranteed higher conversions and fewer chances of product returns! 

Brand Recognition: With AR, brands can stay unique and differentiated from their competitors through modern and tech-fuelled methodologies. Even local UK retailers have better chances to position themselves ahead in the highly competitive marketplace through more customer-centric AR campaigns that are interactive and shareable for better visibility and improved connections with audiences. 

Staying Ahead in UK AR Marketing with SpiderWorks

Over the last three decades, at SpiderWorks, Birmingham, we have been working on perfecting the art of digital marketing for businesses of all sizes and industries. We utilise AR to craft campaigns that embody engaging stories and are highly interactive, driving both engagement and conversions. By focusing on creating content that aligns with consumer behavior, we assist the UK retailers in delivering experiences that resonate with their target audience 

As the leading Digital Marketing Agency in Birmingham, SpiderWorks acknowledges that AR is no more a fad but a powerful marketing tool that offers plentiful opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK to boost their brand and strengthen their customer base effectively. Let SpiderWorks help you rule the ever-evolving digital-led marketplace with our creative and reliable AR marketing services.

Contact us today to book a free consultation with us!