Not content to just surf the online grocery wave, Amazon is also tapping into the burgeoning DIY market with the launch of an augmented reality (AR) tool to visualise furniture and home décor in place.
What marks its new service out is that it allows for the viewing of multiple items all at once, so that shoppers can get a clear view of how many pieces will work with new décor.
It also takes things further, allowing the user to bank snap-shots of their room and also view items within those photos when away from home or the room in question.
The feature is available across many thousands of furniture items for sale on Amazon, including those from some select third-parties. When a shopper is looking at furniture items in the Amazon app, they are offered the option to click “view in your room” to fire up the service. They can then start to place items – along with complimentary items that the apps suggests.
It currently works in iOS and desktop browsers.
An Amazon spokesperson says: “Amazon is always exploring new ways to create experiences that delight our customers. With the addition of Room Decorator tools, Amazon enhances its augmented reality feature to give customers an even more immersive shopping experience from the comfort of their own home, or on the go,”
The spokesperson adds: “With access to the inspiring furniture styles available on Amazon, customers can do more than just imagine their dream rooms—they can visualize them to make more informed shopping decisions,”
Amazon first introduced AR in 2017, based around Apple’s then nascent ARKit built into iOS11.
Amazon’s announcement is timely as the DIY market goes from strength to strength, with sales booming in the sector during lockdown. According to Bloomreach, home improvement and DIY saw sales were up 50.9% year on year in July. As a result Kingfisher Group – owner of B&Q and Screwfix – has announced the creation of 400 UK jobs today.