The metaverse is a virtual world that can be accessed through the internet and that offers a wide range of experiences and activities. In the context of online stores, the metaverse can potentially be used to create immersive and interactive shopping experiences for customers. For example, customers could visit a virtual store in the metaverse and browse and purchase products in a way that is more engaging and interactive than traditional online shopping. The metaverse could also be used to host virtual events and experiences related to products or brands, which could help to build customer engagement and loyalty. Additionally, the metaverse could potentially be used to create virtual showrooms or exhibitions, where customers can view and interact with products in a more immersive and interactive way than they could on a traditional website.
The metaverse can reshaping the operations and strategies of e-commerce platforms, as futuristic marketplaces are built that can better serve consumers’ real and virtual needs,
Immersive technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, which are vital for the creation of a virtual presence in the metaverse, have the potential to change the way people shop by creating simulations of merchandise and providing interactive consumer experiences.
In the vision of next phase of digital platform shoppers can step into a virtual environment to view items such as furniture and household goods.
The models allow online customers to place virtual furniture in their homes to see how it looks without having to visit a store in person. Designers can also customize furniture and decorations according to a customer’s preferences.
The metaverse promises a future where the virtual and physical worlds are inextricably interconnected, – online store owners should start including VR technology in their site & applications.
For example – the market size of China’s VR industry will exceed 350 billion yuan ($50.9 billion) by 2026.
Authorities in Beijing, Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang have launched guidelines and action plans for the metaverse sector, hoping to gain an early advantage in the global race to benefit from the next generation of technology.
E-commerce has served as a key application scenario for the metaverse, and a multitude of new business models have already emerged.
Combining VR and AR technologies into online marketplaces has not only improved consumers’ experiences of remote shopping and boosted consumption during the pandemic, but also has spearheaded a new consumption trend.
The metaverse will play an active role in empowering the real economy, and promoting in-depth integration of the digital world with the real world.