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Industry Trends

Engaging Gen Z Shoppers with Interactive Retail Solutions

Tangiblee
Chris Nelson
  |  
March 19, 2024
Engaging Gen Z Shoppers with Interactive Retail Solutions

Let’s dive into how to capture the attention and loyalty of Generation Z, the future of your present and/or future customer base, depending on your product lineup.

A Quick Intro to Gen Z

Gen Z is tech-savvy, socially conscious, and digitally native. They've grown up in a world with smartphones as extensions of their hands and minds; where social media is the predominant form of communication with peers. They already hold significant purchasing power and influence family spending decisions, which will only increase as they age into their prime earning years. 

As of 2024, members of Gen Z are between 12-27 years old. Ignoring them means missing out on a substantial chunk of the market with an estimated $143 billion in spending power in the US alone. So how can we capture their attention and understand their habits when it comes to online retail experiences?

Deciphering Gen Z's Shopping Behavior

From their preference for online shopping to their reliance on social media for recommendations, Gen Z has distinct shopping habits that retailers need to grasp: they're accustomed to seamless digital experiences and expect personalized recommendations tailored to their interests.

Gen Z wants more than just products—they’re looking for brands that they can relate to on a personal level. Authenticity and emotional resonance play a massive role in their buying decisions. They're drawn to brands that share their values and engage with them authentically. 

That said, how can retailers incorporate that knowledge into their e-commerce offerings in tandem with the newest advancements in engagement solutions?

The Shake-up: Immersive Experiences

Enter immersive retail experiences—a game-changer in capturing Gen Z's attention. Think interactive virtual shopping, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and polished product visualization. These experiences bridge the gap between online and offline shopping, offering Gen Z an engaging way to interact with brands.

In a nutshell: to win over Gen Z, brands need to master social engagement, craft authentic messaging, and leverage personalized content to drive connection. Understanding and catering to their desire for immersive experiences is paramount for retailers looking to thrive in today's market. By embracing interactive solutions, you're not just selling products; you're creating memorable experiences that will keep Gen Z shoppers coming back for more.

Craft a Custom Retail Experience With Tangiblee

The future of retail is immersive—let’s make it work in your favor. Schedule a free demo to explore our solutions.

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Frequently Asked Qustions

No. Virtual try-on adds a visualization layer on top of a product; it doesn't replace accurate product data or existing imagery. In a quality-checked pipeline, the brand's existing product photo is actually the foundation the result is built from.

It places the brand's real 2D catalog photo of the item onto a hand, wrist, or ear from a reference photo, rather than generating a new image of the product from scratch. The item's proportions and details come from the actual product photo; the AI handles scale, angle, and blending onto the shopper's photo. This is different from older try-on technology, which mapped a manually built 3D or 2D asset onto the shopper using fixed geometric rules, and different from generic AI image generators, which typically synthesize the product rather than place a real photo of it.

We recommend supporting the launch with a dedicated email announcing the new feature, ideally featuring an animated GIF that demonstrates the experience in action and links to a category page with VTO-enabled products.
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To build broader awareness, homepage visibility is also important. Banners or other prominent placements can help introduce the feature to more visitors and encourage trial.
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We also suggest adding a short explanation of how the feature works. Even when the experience is simple, some shoppers may benefit from a little extra guidance before they feel comfortable using it.
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Finally, we recommend promoting the new capability across social media and user-generated-style content so that more of your audience is exposed to it and encouraged to engage.

Bring Your Catalog to Life

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