Digital services agency United Future has developed a
system that turns a retailer’s storefront into an interactive, touchscreen
shopping experience. The company believes the technology will attract more
customers, particularly tech-savvy ones such as college students, and increase
sales.
The system uses a touch-sensitive film attached to the storefront
glass, along with a projector and laptop. The touchscreen display can be
customized for each retailer, who can change information displayed on an hourly
basis if they choose.
The shopper uses the window touchscreen to drag and
drop apparel items onto mannequins sized to fit their personal measurements.
Customers can then complete a purchase through QR codes linked to secure store web
sites. United Future is trying to enhance the system to enable payments using a
smartphone by tapping on the glass.
“Our product extends the shelf by helping educate the
consumer and bringing the retail floor to life,” Scott Holmes, president of
United Futures, said in an article for a National Retail Federation publication.
“That, to me, is the future of where retail is headed: toward more experiential
shopping. We must connect across all retail channels to succeed in the future.”