# Custom E-Consultation In-store consultants are traded in for convenient, online alternatives. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Jan 16, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/digital-consultation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.7/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Custom E-Consultation trend? **Custom E-Consultation:** Seeking a more efficient means of product scoping, consumers are turning to digital shopping consultants for easy access to a custom experience. Eliminating the need for in-person communication, online shoppers are seeking the insight and knowledge often associated with shopping assistants in a more streamlined manner. This reflects a move toward more affordable, flexible forms of brand-consumer engagement. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 7, 2015 to Nov 4, 2016 - Published: Jan 16, 2015 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Custom E-Consultation trend ### Virtual Shopping Assistants There is an opportunity for businesses to create virtual assistants to help consumers shop online and provide personalized product options and prices. ### AR Jewelry Apps There is an opportunity for businesses to integrate AR features into their apps to give shoppers a sense of size and style before buying an accessory of their liking. ### Custom E-Consultation There is an opportunity for businesses to create digital shopping consultants to provide a more streamlined, custom experience for online shoppers. ## What the Custom E-Consultation trend means for industry ### For E-commerce Businesses in this industry can benefit from creating virtual shopping assistants and AR jewelry apps to enhance the online shopping experience. ### For Retail Businesses in this industry can benefit from integrating digital shopping consultants and customized e-consultations to provide a more efficient means of product scoping to their customers. ### For Tech Businesses in this industry can benefit from developing new technologies, such as AR features and text-based virtual assistants, that can enhance the online shopping experience for customers across different industries. ## Trend signals for Custom E-Consultation Trend score 3.7 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 44%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 60% - Activity: 44% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Custom E-Consultation trend 5 featured examples from Jan 7, 2015 to Nov 4, 2016. - [AR Jewelry Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/try-on-jewelry-pieces): The GRANI Jewelry App Lets Users Try on Jewelry Pieces in a Virtual Fitting Room (Category: Tech) Implication: The jewelry industry can leverage augmented reality try-on technology to provide a more engaging online shopping experience, resulting in increased sales and customer satisfaction. - [Online Jewelry Consultations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bauble-bar): Bauble Bar Pairs Its Web Shoppers with a Personal Stylist (Category: Business) Implication: The e-commerce industry can leverage live video consultations to enhance customer experience, boost sales, and differentiate themselves from competitors. - [Shopping Assistant Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/store-assistant): IKEA's Mobile App Now Doubles as a Helpful In-Store Assistant (Category: Tech) Implication: This industry can take advantage of converging shopping experiences by developing integrated physical and digital strategies to elevate the customer journey and increase sales. - [Virtual Shopping Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/agent-q): Agent Q is a Text-Based Virtual Assistant That Helps You Shop Online (Category: Tech) Implication: Incorporating virtual shopping assistants to provide a personalized and convenient online shopping experience. - [Jacket Shopping Quizzes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-a-jacket): The Arc’teryx Shell Finder Helps Consumers Buy a Jacket Through a Quiz (Category: Marketing) Implication: Interactive shopping guides like the Arc’teryx Shell Finder have the potential to revolutionize the e-commerce industry by enhancing the online shopping experience and increasing… ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)