Aussie Farmers Direct launches virtual reality shopping app
Online retailer Aussie Farmers Direct has launched a virtual reality online shopping app that mimics the experience of perusing the shelves of an actual store.
The company hopes the AisleOne app, which it describes as a world first, will drive a new wave of customers to its business to experience a simplified but immersive online shopping experience.
Aussie Farmers Direct CEO Keith Louie said that AisleOne does away with cluttered search boxes, detailed product lists and text-based navigation to create a true virtual shop optimised for touchscreens that makes customers feel like they’re physically standing in a supermarket.
AisleOne displays the Aussie Farmers Direct product range in a virtual store and lets customers shop in three steps:
- ‘Scroll and stroll’ through the virtual shop.
- ‘Click and pick’ products off the shelf for a closer look.
- ‘Drag and drop’ items into their basket.
“AisleOne has been designed so that someone with little or no computer experience can pick it up and start using it immediately. Browsing through each virtual aisle is as easy as swiping left or right across the screen. You can tap on any item to reveal detailed product information, and adding items to the shopping cart is as simple as dragging it down into the shopping trolley,” said Louie.
The app keeps some aspects of traditional online shopping: a search button enables customers to search for items by text, while category buttons enable customers to jump to specific aisles. Items can be scheduled to be automatically ordered on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
The launch of AisleOne also marks Aussie Farmers Direct’s entry into the digital marketing space. It is currently in talks to white-label the AisleOne platform, opening the company up to new revenue channels outside of the online food delivery business.
“When we started this business 10 years ago, we would never have dreamed we’d end up in the app business,” said Louie.
AisleOne is available for iPads through the Apple iTunes store.
Expanding beyond biscuits: Arnott's acquires Prolife Foods
The Arnott's Group has expanded its 'better-for-you' snacking portfolio with the...
FDA investigates PFAS in seafood
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expands its investigation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl...
Cell-cultured quail moving closer to Australians' plates
FSANZ is undertaking a second round of consultation on a proposed approach to allow cell-cultured...
