Snap Inc., the company behind Snapchat, made a splash when it released a piece of hardware called 'Spectacles,' and the company continues to push sales on that product with the new Spectacles pop-up in Harrods, London's posh department store. Spectacles were previously only available out of Snap's purpose-built vending machines (called 'Snapbots'), so the new Spectacles pop-up shows that Snap is looking to expand its connected eyeglasses to the general public.
The Harrods pop-up offers much of the same customization as the Snapbots themselves, giving customers their choices of Spectacle color as well as a look at the footage that the lenses take through a smartphone connected to the kiosk. The kiosk also has a mirror, just like a traditional sunglasses hut, to give consumers the chance to see how the tech-laden lenses look on them.
Custom Connected Eyeglass Pop-Ups
The Snap Spectacles Pop-Up is On Display at Harrods in London
Trend Themes
1. Connected Retail Pop-ups - The success of Snap's Spectacles pop-up in Harrods demonstrates a trend towards technology-fashion collaborations in creating custom pop-up experiences.
2. Smart Eyewear - As connected eyewear gains popularity, companies can capitalize on the trend by integrating augmented reality and other innovative features into their products.
3. Fashionable Wearable Tech - Fashion brands can expand into the wearable technology industry by designing stylish and practical wearable tech accessories such as Spectacles and other connected eyewear products.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can create immersive and customized shopping experiences by integrating technology into their pop-up shops, such as displaying footage from connected eyewear cameras.
2. Eyewear - Eyewear companies can innovate by creating smart eyewear with advanced features such as augmented reality and other capabilities beyond traditional eyewear.
3. Fashion - Fashion brands can enter the wearable tech industry by designing stylish and functional products that integrate technology, creating a new market for trendy, tech-savvy consumers.