The French company Boulanger has launched a 3D store in SecondLife that acts as a front to its 2D website. With support from IBM that is treating their 3D store as another channel with additional services. Initially the 3D service allows customers to view and interact with Boulanger objects in a familiar context, click to be taken to the purchase page on a 2D website or to talk directly to an assistant.
This is a different approach to retail being advocated by VirtualEShopping.com (refer to AI 103) though both have similarities as they front 2D web.
New 3D services expected are kitchen design and cooking lessons.
Another service being considered is interactive guides for real products.
"Retailers have to explore new and creative digital channels to reach today's intelligent and informed consumer," Colin Parris, vice president, Digital Convergence, IBM, said in a statement. "Boulanger's use of the virtual worlds demonstrates the company's capability to transcend traditional boundaries to provide an immersive and interactive shopping experience for customers."
The picture shows me within the Boulanger kitchen.
