# VR Mall Lounges Dixie Outlet Mall is Engaging Back-to-School Shoppers with Virtual Reality By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-08-10 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vr-mall References: [marketingmag](http://www.marketingmag.ca/brands/dixie-outlet-goes-wild-with-vr-180892?rss=yes) & [vrboard.io](http://vrboard.io/dixie-outlet-mall-hosting-vr-adventure-lounge.html) A new VR mall experience is being created at the [Dixie Outlet Mall](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/winndixie-twinn-week) in Mississauga, Canada as a way to attract and engage back-to-school shoppers. Each week at the 'VR Adventure Lounge,' mall-goers will be able to strap on a [Samsung](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-odyssey-gaming-booth) Head Gear and immerse themselves in completely different experiences. This includes a variety of themes, including underwater exploration, safaris, as well as one that promises "thrills and chills." Cristina Avila, marketing director at Dixie Outlet Mall, says that the VR Adventure Lounge is set to play a part in helping consumers "realize all the amazing wild things they can find at the mall—and when we refer to wild, it’s usually the savings." On top of this, those who choose to try out the technology at the VR mall experience have the chance to win a $500 back-to-school shopping spree at the Canadian mall. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Virtual Reality Shopping:** Retailers enhance their customer experience by incorporating virtual reality technology to increase engagement - **VR Entertainment Mall:** Malls and shopping centers integrate virtual reality experiences to provide a unique and exciting entertainment venue - **Interactive Marketing Strategies:** Brands create customer interactions and increase foot traffic through the promotion of interactive experiences and events ### Who This Affects Most - **Retail:** Retailers can integrate virtual reality technology into their stores and online platforms to enhance the customer shopping experience and increase engagement - **Entertainment:** Virtual reality can be used to create immersive entertainment experiences at malls, theme parks, and other venues, attracting more visitors and increasing revenue - **Marketing:** Marketers can incorporate interactive and immersive experiences into their campaigns, increasing customer engagement and brand awareness ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Metaverse Tech Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dyson-demo-vr.md) - [Immersive Banking Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cibc-experience-centre.md) - [Premium-Quality VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandbox-vr.md) - [Interactive Activewear Metaverses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alo-yoga.md) - [Mixed-Reality Theme Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mixedreality-theme-park.md) - [Experiential Entertainment Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illuminarium-1.md) - [Virtual Mall Metaverses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metamall.md) - [Experimental Immersive Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oasis-immersion.md) - [Metaverse Fashion Malls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outfit-shopping-mall.md)