# Picture Purchase Brands are using AI to help consumers shop through pictures. By [Ady Floyd](https://www.trendhunter.com/AdyFloyd), Futurist, VP Innovation Strategy | Published Aug 23, 2019 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/picture-purchase ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Picture Purchase trend? **Picture Purchase:** Using AI and machine learning, consumers can now snap images of products and make instant purchases. Moving beyond voice-activated shopping platforms, brands continue to innovate the retail space with visual shopping applications. ## The consumer insight behind the Picture Purchase trend Consumers are drawn to this experience-oriented approach, in part due to their growing desire to see shifts in the path-to-purchase journey. As shoppers, consumers have come to expect seamless, disruption free shopping across channels as an extension of their digital behaviors. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 6, 2018 to Mar 5, 2019 - Published: Aug 23, 2019 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Picture Purchase trend 4 featured examples from Jun 6, 2018 to Mar 5, 2019. - [Supermarket Visual Search Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visual-search-tool): Slyce Launched a Mobile List-Building Solution for Shoppers (Category: Tech) Implication: Retailers of all types can benefit from the adoption of visual search tools, batch capture modes, and Scan and Go self-checkout systems to stay competitive and meet consumer deman… - [Shoppable In-App Searches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchat-visual-search): Snapchat 'Visual Search' Identifies Real-Life Objects to Buy on Amazon (Category: Business) Implication: Social media platforms like Snapchat can leverage visual search and in-app shopping capabilities to increase user engagement and drive revenue growth. - [Homebuying Photo Search Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snap-and-search): Homes.com Launched a Social Media-Inspired Snap & Search Feature (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The Snap & Search tool by Homes.com offers transformative potential for the real estate industry by revolutionizing the way homebuyers search and discover properties. - [AI Visual Search Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visual-search): Syte's VSN Lets Consumers Browse by Showing Versus Telling (Category: Business) Implication: E-commerce platforms can utilize visual search tools to enhance the browsing experience for customers, improving product discoverability and driving sales. **Workshop question:** How can your brand make its retail experience more convenient for consumers? ## Themes within the Picture Purchase trend ### Visual Shopping Applications Using AI and machine learning, consumers can snap images of products and make instant purchases. ### Shoppable In-App Searches Snapchat's Visual Search feature allows users to identify and purchase products they see in the real world on the spot. ### Visual AI Search Tools Retailers are offering visual search tools for browsing and filtering for products by pointing out exactly what they're looking for. ## What the Picture Purchase trend means for industry ### For Retail Industry Retailers can integrate visual AI and imaging technologies to create engaging, more seamless shopping experiences. ### For Real Estate Industry Real estate developers can benefit from offering AI-powered search features for property selection. ### For Grocery Industry AI-powered visual search and mobile apps can be used by grocery store retailers to simplify shopping experiences for their customers. ## Trend signals for Picture Purchase Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 59%, activity 41%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 59% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Caffeine Remix](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/portable-caffeine-formats) (Lifestyle) - [Climate Buffer](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/range-extended-suv) (Autos) - [Purpose Tuning](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/electric-suv-variants) (Autos) - [Driver Display](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/driver-display) (Autos) ## Trending in Business - [Integrated Cash Back Savings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/integrated-cash-back-savings) - [Fragrant Body Care Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-fridays-body-collection1) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) - [Spice Discovery Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavor-countdown-calendars) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)