In its 140,000-square-foot space, the Canadian Tire store in Edmonton is home to more than 100 digital screens, including an interactive patio builder.
The kiosk can be identified as 'Canada's Dream Backyard & Patio Builder,' which devotes half of the screen to a product catalog and another half where these items can be moved around on a touchscreen floorplan. While many retailers might only offer these features, Canadian Tire takes retail technology to the next level. After a design has been visualized on-screen, consumers can strap on a connected Oculus Rift headset and see their creation come to life in virtual reality before their eyes.
Other interactive in-store stations inside this Canadian Tire location include a car simulator for different seasonal conditions and a custom jersey maker.
Backyard Design Kiosks
Canadian Tire's Patio Builder Tool Helps Consumers Visualize with VR
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Reality in Retail - The use of VR in retail spaces to visualize and personalize products may become a common trend.
2. Interactive Kiosks - Retailers may continue to develop interactive kiosks that enable personalized product visualization.
3. Omnichannel Experience - The integration of digital and physical shopping experiences may create an omnichannel trend in retail.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can leverage emerging technologies to create immersive and personalized shopping experiences.
2. Home Improvement - Home improvement retailers can continue to develop innovative and interactive tools to help customers visualize and customize their spaces.
3. Automotive - The integration of simulators and customization tools in automotive retail spaces may potentially create a new trend.