The usage of Augmented Reality (AR) in shopping is anticipated to grow drastically in future

Even though when Augmented Reality (AR) apps sound futuristic, it is already around the corner. The consumers are interestingly catching up with the trends using augmented reality applications. Augmented reality is all about superimposing computer-generated images on top of the view of reality, thus creating a composite view that augments the real world. It makes strong use of camera so that you don't need any special computer setup or headset to make it work. Today, just 20% of the people in the United States use augmented reality apps once a month. The technology is still in the first stage of development. However, it is anticipated to grow drastically over years.

Here is a list of Augmented Reality mobile shopping applications that everyone must give a try

Home Depot

The Home Depot is one of the largest home improvement retailers in the United States, supplying tools, construction products and services. The company expanded its augmented reality feature in 2017. The option is available in the mobile app, which allows users to overlay Home Depot merchandise on any room in their home as per their wish. The app enables the user to have a 3D vision of the product they select, starting from refrigerators to chandeliers in any space they want to see. The Forrester Research recently ranked Home Depot's augmented reality mobile app as the number one retail mobile app for its functionality and user experience.

IKEA

IKEA operates an augmented reality app called IKEA Place focusing on home decors. The Swedish furniture retailer gives shoppers a chance to put their products in their homes virtually. Using the IKEA Place app, the consumer takes picture of the living room, and then it provides recommendations on furniture that fits the space. Easy drag-and-drop functionalities and the option to see different colors, create a fun-filled experience. IKEA's app was one of the first apps to be launched using Apple's augmented reality technology.

Wayfair

Wayfair Inc. is an American e-commerce company that sells furniture and home-goods. In Wayfair's mobile shopping app, there is a functionality called View in Room 3D. Using the feature on a mobile phone, customers can visualize the Wayfair furniture's look within their homes. Wayfair is one of the companies that embraced augmented reality in the early stage. The Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the company, Steve Conine believed that augmented reality had the potential to completely transform the way people shop for their homes.

Target

Target provides a special functionality called Your Space in its mobile website that enables customers to digitally see products in their homes. The feature was unravelled in 2017. Initially, Target started providing 3D vision for only 200 products from the company's list. Later, the company added thousands of products to its functionality.

Sephora

Sephora app provides a special functionality called Sephora Virtual Artist. The feature allows users to get a whole virtual make-up look at home. Consumers can try on lipstick, lashes, and full look across a range of brands. Users first scan their face using the camera option in the app and then try different kinds of looks with its make-up tools. Consumers can snap or upload a photo to someone else, and if everything goes well, they can directly buy the product through the application.

Amazon

Amazon provides an augmented reality feature to both furniture and make-up products. Amazon users can see how furniture looks at their environment by clicking 'View in your room' option. Amazon teamed up with L'Oreal to bring augmented reality to its cosmetics shoppers. Users can avail the feature by taking a picture of themselves or using a similar toned model to try on the make-up before shopping. L'Oreal owns the augmented reality technology. For now, only lipsticks are at the rack for virtual trial. However, the list is expected to expand in future.

Nike

Nike, the famous shoe seller added a new augmented reality feature in its mobile app called Nike Fit. It is a tough job to find the correct shoe size while shopping footwear. This feature allows customers to find their true shoe size by scanning their feet. An estimated 60% of people wearing the wrong size shoe can be benefitted from the app. Even if a customer shops in-store, sales associates can scan the QR code in the app and retrieve the customer's shoe size.

Warby Parker

Warby Parker added the augmented reality functionality in its app last year. The feature allows customers to digitally try on a large variety of glasses through virtual screening. Recently, the company updated its augmented reality feature enabling users to take a picture while they are wearing the glass and share it with friends.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie's retail furniture stores don't have many products on display. However, customers can shop online to see the intensity of the company's furniture offerings. Anthropologie's 'preview in room' feature allows users to try on furniture at the designated location. Since most of the customers are not interior designers, the augmented reality functionality within Anthropologie's main shopping app comes in handy when users are trying to determine if the piece they like works well to the ambience.

Magnolia Market

Magnolia Market is a lifestyle brand founded by Joanna Gaines, host of a popular TV show Fixer Upper. In 2017, Spotify teamed up with Gaines to create an augmented reality shopping app for Magnolia Market. Since the store is only in Waco, Texas, the application provides a finely detailed view of the product range at their home to customers who can't directly visit the retail shop.