3D 3D product visualisation and the unified retail experience

Beck Besecker, CEO and Co-Founder, 3D Cloud by Marxent, looks at why UK retailers are embracing 3D technology to connect online and in-store shopping.

We are past the pandemic, and shopping habits are normalising. Over the past two years, it’s become clear that a unified retail experience is vital in a post-Covid era. The resurgence of in-store shopping paired with emerging digital technologies that offer new ways to engage with customers makes it clear that a hybrid approach to retail is crucial. This article explores the symbiotic relationship between stores and e-commerce and the role of 3D technologies in creating consistent and captivating customer experiences at scale.

The e-commerce boom and the resilience of physical stores

During the height of the pandemic, it seemed as though e-commerce would take the lion’s share of retail from bricks and mortar stores. However, recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that nearly 75% of retail sales in the UK still occur in physical stores, with e-commerce accounting for only about 27% as of January 2023. This signals the enduring significance of in-store experiences, but online shopping isn’t going anywhere either.

The distinction between online and offline sales

With 3D tech, retailers can seamlessly integrate their online and offline product experience, erasing the lines that separate them.