Summary:

Research:

For the idea swap, I worked with Lucy, her idea focuses on the future of shopping and reimagining derelict spaces using VR.

Firstly, I carried out some research by reading news articles about how in-person shopping is evolving. As more people choose to shop online, new incentives are needed to entice customers back into physical shops and encourage them to visit in person.

For example, Tesco in Berkshire is trialling a virtual try-on mirror that allows customers to select a digital model or upload a photo of themselves to see how clothes might look on them. I think this is a smart idea, especially as Tesco doesn’t have fitting rooms, which can make shopping for clothes more difficult and frustrating if customers need to return items.

Hopefully, the trial will be successful and introduced in other stores. This could help reduce queues for fitting rooms while making the shopping experience more convenient. It could also support sustainability and hygiene, as clothing can sometimes become stained or damaged when tried on, meaning it might no longer be suitable for sale and could end up being thrown away.

Lucy mentioned how Sephora introduced “store playgrounds” in America, where customers can test out new products. I decided to research where else this concept is being explored and what it involves. One example is Etude in South Korea, which offers a personalised and interactive shopping experience.

Personalisation is available across a range of products, from interactive skin scans and foundation-mixing stations, where products are delivered by a robot, to play tables where customers can create their own palettes by choosing colours and adding decorative elements such as stickers and engraving.

I find this idea very inviting, as it enhances the shopping experience by making it more fun, interactive and personalised. This could encourage customers to return to the store rather than shop online, as they can enjoy a more engaging and hands-on experience.

SCAMPER:

I used the SCAMPER technique to help Lucy explore different possibilities and consider ways to improve existing ideas.

<aside> 💡

S—Substitute: What element within the product can be swapped with something else and what would happen?

• Virtual try on clothes to reduce queues at changing rooms.
• Face scanner for makeup to analyse what shade of foundation skin type etc.

C—Combine: What can be combined and how would this affect the product?

• Personalised shopping using AI removing the need of having to book an appointment (smart mirror virtually try on clothes that suit you based on preferences)
• Self-service kiosk If you’re looking for a gift for someone gives you recommendations based on their preferences

A—Adapt: What aspects of the product can be adapted to a different context and how?

• Subscription service for when you’re running out of a certain product automatically orders it. Tracks how long it takes to use it based on how often you use it.

M—Modify: What can be modified to improve the product?

• Stations to be able to refill your products to be more sustainable.

P—Put to other uses: Are there any other uses this product can serve?

• Easier collection if ordering into store using lockers instead of waiting for someone.

E—Eliminate: Is there anything within the product that can be removed to make it simpler?

• Remove physical price tags with QR codes to show stock availability, sizes, colours etc.

R—Rearrange or reverse: What can be reversed or rearranged to make this product better?

• Shop layout easier to find certain piece of clothing using signage and sections. </aside>

Completing this exercise allowed Lucy to gain a different perspective and potentially take a new direction with her project. It could also spark creativity and help her identify other ideas worth exploring further.

3 Ideas:

These are the three ideas I came up with from the SCARPER technique.