Authors:
John Pistone, Kristen Chung, Ted Clark, Kirk Goldman, Manda Miller, Brian Taylor
Abstract:
This disclosure proposes a Mixed Reality Marketing Platform that allows retailers and their products to exist simultaneously both physically and virtually, such as on the Metaverse. The Platform connects the physical store reality and the metaverse. Each item would have both a virtual and store representation. So whether the item is available online or in-store, or both, you would see it in both “worlds” and after purchase, the consumer would see it in both of their “worlds”
Background:
Retailers have a difficult time connecting with the consumer at the actual point of decision-making, especially if that consumer is online, or if they are in-store but decide to research online before buying. The consumer buying journey can be very different not only across individuals, but within individuals themselves, with the journey being different day-to-day depending on environment and needs of that consumer at that moment. This invention helps to solve the problem by allowing the consumer to access both online and offline channels at the same time, and thus bring decision-making to a more finite point in time and location. So, they can research online and see in-store options, be in-store and see online options, and all discounts and promotions from both, as well as any personalized recommendations from both online and in-store activity. Personalization Example: See in-store out of stock item for a recipe and online purchasing options or item substitutions; Buy couch online and see the matching end-table at the store down the street with a discount.
In addition, consumers are blending online/physical environments more and more, and are not discerning digital from physical, so this would allow them to have more matching physical and digital worlds. Consumers are having to manage two different “lives”, but this would bridge digital and physical identities. For example: If consumer purchases a Rolex watch that item can also be added to their virtual closet. System blends the two worlds.
Description:
Example: Consumer with smart glasses walks into a store. Sees physical items plus any in-store and online offers and ads, and online items available to them. In addition, they see access to physical and virtual currencies (points and crypto). Real world purchases will have a digital twin that now is accessible to consumers in the metaverse. The retail platform will allow consumers to connect to multiple retailers both on and offline and allow retailers and consumers to connect the physical and virtual creating true omnichannel marketing and commerce.
Example: A consumer shopping on the metaverse online can virtually walk-through physical representations of aisles of goods and be notified of offers, discounts, sales of items that relevant specifically to them.
Likewise, the shopper can walk through the physical store while wearing smart glasses or using a Toshiba smart cart and see those same discounts and offers, as well as online options that may not be available in-store or are out-of-stock in-store.
Both the in-store and metaverse experiences allow for digital promotions, coupons, and advertising. Consumers can grab virtual and in-store promotions and add them to their cart. So even if things are out of stock, they can virtually purchase them (adaptation of endless aisle). Or if they are online, they can ship-from-store, or warehouse
Enabling Technology:
Smart devices for virtual viewing, examples include smart glasses, VR headsets
Virtual and augmented reality online environments
TGCS Reference 2936
