The Japanese market is facial some major challenges like global competition, declining interest, and return rates. Talking specifically about jewellery, the industry is making a shift to virtual online shopping.
Modern Japanese customers expect more than just browsing pictures of rings, earrings, or necklaces on a website. They look for an engaging experience to interact with the products before making a purchase, which traditional online shopping lacks, i.e., the touch and feel element.
Therefore, in this blog, we will cover the core problems Japanese jewellery retailers face and how virtual try on for jewellery can solve these challenges, why they matter, and how businesses can integrate them to enrich customer experience.
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Why It’s Time to Go Virtual
While searching for the problems of the jewellery market in Japan, we came across some stats. According to Statista, Japan’s online jewellery sales are projected to reach over 1.2 trillion yen by 2026, with younger generations driving this digital adoption.
However, customer hesitation is quite high due to doubts about the size, design accuracy, and product authenticity. This is where iAugment virtual try on for jewellery comes into play. It offers an array of features for jewellery retailers in Japan that help them create an immersive retail experience that resonates with modern customers.
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What Are the Challenges of Jewellery Retailers?
Japanese jewellery retailers face several challenges while working online. Here are some of the top five issues:
High Return Rates
Customers often return jewellery because the products look quite different from what they saw online while purchasing. According to the Japan Jewelry Association, online jewellery return rates are 15-20% higher than offline sales. Because of this, the profitability of retailers declines.
Declining Youth Interest
The enthusiasm for jewellery and other luxury items among the Japanese young customers has waned since the 1990s. Youth today are anxious about the economy’s future, so they are more likely to save rather than spend heavily on high-end brands.
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Limited Personalization
Most eCommerce stores offer standard product photos and designs. Customers cannot see how a design complements their skin tone, hairstyle, or outfit. This lack of personalization lowers buying confidence.
Competitive Pressure
There is an intense competition in the Japanese jewellery market due to international brands entering Japan. They are already experimenting with modern and advanced tools like virtual reality shopping platforms. Therefore, local businesses are in dire need of innovative technology like virtual try on for jewellery.
Poor Digital Engagement
In the present times, a static website with pictures and descriptions can’t attract customers. Without engagement experience, the chance of conversion remains weak.
These problems prove why Japanese jewellers need to rethink their digital approach to gain traction in the market.
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The Solution
The good news is that there is a powerful solution already in the market to address these challenges: iAugment Virtual Try On. By incorporating this platform into your store, you can transform your online store into a virtual reality shopping platform.
This technology doesn’t rely on pictures; instead, it uses customers’ camera-enabled devices to virtually wear earrings, rings, or necklaces in real time. This makes the buying process interactive and enjoyable as it combines the convenience of virtual online shopping with a physical store’s reliability.
iAugment Virtual Try On
If you have never heard about virtual try on, then let me guide you. Virtual try on is a digital solution powered by augmented reality. It overlays realistic 2D or 3D jewellery models onto the user’s clicked images using the device camera.
For example, a customer is browsing a jewellery piece they find attractive. With the help of this feature, they can use their phone to check how the necklace looks on their neckline. They can also compare different options and everyday items to get a better idea about their size. Apart from this, they can also share it for others’ opinions about the look.
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Globally, there are many brands that have already embraced this technology, like Pandora, Soha Diamond Co., Tanishq, etc. Tech enthusiasts like Japanese youngsters who are comfortable with these digital-first technologies are drawn towards this kind of innovation.
For them, virtual online shopping is not just about convenience but about having an engaging, lifelike experience. This is where virtual try on creates real value. Our virtual try on works smoothly with different categories like rings, bangles, rings, and earrings, making a versatile choice for Japanese jewellery retailers.
Blending this digital interaction with product exploration creates an immersive retail experience that feels close to trying items in-store.
How iAugment Virtual Try On Solves the Above Problems
Here’s how virtual try on directly addresses the earlier challenges:
Reduces Return Rates
When customers are able to see products on themselves before purchase, their confidence increases. This reduces unnecessary returns and saves costs for retailers.
Builds Youth Interest
When they can experience the products in the real world directly on them, they feel more confident about making a purchase. Virtual reality shopping platform bridges the gap between online images and real-world use.
Adds Personalization
Customers can try different styles, adjust the image, and even test different designs on them to decide the one that matches their preferences.
Strengthens Competitiveness
Japanese retailers adopting this tech can stand strong against global competitors. It will help create an immersive customer experience while increasing conversion and creating loyalty.
Boost Engagement
Virtual tools keep customers interacting with websites longer. They can explore collections, share their try on looks on social media, and create buzz for the brand.
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The transformation is clear. These help retailers move from a transactional selling process to an interactive shopping journey. This upgrade is vital in today’s market.
What’s Our Take
We believe virtual try on is not just a technology add-on; we have built a solution for Japanese jewellery eCommerce. Our expertise lies in making this transformation smooth and impactful for retailers.
We support jewellery businesses with:
- Full development and deployment of our SaaS virtual reality shopping.
- Smooth integration of try on tools into existing websites and mobile apps.
- Jewellery modeling for accurate representation using the existing 2D catalog.
- Support and maintenance to help manage the jewellery try on.
By doing this, we help brands go beyond simple product listings and create an engaging environment where customers enjoy interacting with their jewellery before buying to enrich customer experience and increase their trust.
Conclusion
The Japanese jewellery retail market is at a turning point. While online sales continue to grow, customer hesitation and lack of trust remain barriers. By adopting virtual try on solutions, retailers can overcome these challenges and deliver an immersive retail experience.
Additionally, it boosts confidence and reduces returns, and increases sales. With virtual online shopping becoming the standard, the integration of try on technology is no longer optional.
It is the bridge between traditional jewellery buying and the future of virtual reality shopping platforms. For Japanese retailers aiming to make their customers happy and stay competitive, this is the most effective step they can take towards a better future for their jewellery business.