Macy's set to bring virtual reality features to over 90 stores by 2019

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Oct 17, 2018

Macy’s and Marxent have partnered for what the two companies have said is "the largest virtual reality rollout in retail history," with Macy's VR installations already available in approximately 70 stores nationwide and a further 20 planned before January 2019. 

After piloting the furniture visualization tech in three stores, the companies found the virtual reality program, which allows shoppers to assemble multiple pieces inside virtual rooms, increased furniture sales by over 60 percent.

"In partnership with Marxent, Macy’s is enabling customers to discover products and make informed buying decisions using the Macy’s VR furniture experience," the company said in a press release. "The program also allows Macy’s to offer a full range of furniture in a dramatically smaller space."

“Through the Macy’s VR furniture experience, we are giving our customers a new way to visualize a large selection of furniture products," said Hal Lawton, president of Macy’s. "Customers design their living space and, using a VR headset, immerse themselves in the virtual rooms they create. VR is a practical application proven to drive sales and a terrific example of combining technology and the human touch." 

“The technology decreases return rates and VR gives customers a real omni-channel experience,” said Beck Besecker, co-founder and CEO of Marxent. 

Macy's and Marxent have also introduced a VR app, called “See Your Space IRL,” which allows customers to virtually place Macy’s furniture products in their homes before purchase.

The app is available now on the Macy’s mobile app for iOS and is set to launch for Android users in 2019.