EXPERIENTAIL CATALOGS
Trust Ikea to be at the forefront of both the pirnt catalog and the new interactive version. Their online catalogs combine media, text and navigation to let the viewer control which products are front and center. You can swipe in any direction, choose to get more information and even watch a video of a woman cooking the iconic Ikea swedish meatballs! It's all up to you, and research shows that this is the best way to close a sale, because it is a unique experience for each customer.

  AEROPOSTALE SHOWCASES THEIR PRODUCTS
The most effective way to deal with your product is to show it in action, being used by a consumer who looks like your potential customer. Aeropostale is a great example of this. Ceros, the creator, describes it as an "immersive interactive shopping experience." The experience uses images to suggest product qualities, video with close ups of the clothing and opportunities to see more information about specific items. The designer collections are shown as "rooms," giving the impression of a space occupied by people using the products. The only thing better than this?

AUGMENTED REALITY IS THE NEXT BEST THING
What if you could take a product for a spin before you bought it, in a situation that felt so real that for all practical purposes it was? That's what AR is. And if it's delivered on a mobile device so you can access it at your leisure, you've got something that can REALLY sell. In one application of mediated reality, the customer is able to see herself trying out the product; for example, with FACE by Holition, the user is able try on lip and eye makeup using a smartphone as a "mirror". And the situation seems incredibly real. And what about Sally Hanson's ManiMatch? Same concept. Take a pic of your hand, and then pick the nail colors you'd like to try. It's that simple. And the applications are endless.

Just to demystify the process, these AR applications work by using software, sensors, a compass and digital projectors that display images onto reality. It takes planning, planning, more planning and lots of money! But there is no better way to close a sale. All this will be more affordable as these applications become the usual way to shop. So start thinking now about how these technologies can help your bottom line, because they are here to stay.