IKEA Australia partnered with SCANN3D to launch the IKEA Virtual Reality (VR) experience earlier today. IKEA is the first large retail store in Australia to launch a VR shopping experience, providing shoppers with a 3D tour of an iconic IKEA store to browse and purchase products.

Click here to view the IKEA launch video

IKEA wanted to provide their customers with an engaging virtual online shopping experience following the success of their online shopping launch in Canberra, Tasmania, North Queensland and Northern Territory.

IKEA Australia Multichannel Specialist Malcolm Haylett said the IKEA Virtual Reality Store was about bringing online shopping to life in a new, interactive way.

“The IKEA Virtual Reality store has been developed to support our online shopping service. We know that it’s important for customers to see and experience our home furnishings range. IKEA has recently made a move towards online retailing, but we want to offer the full IKEA store experience to our online shoppers,” said Mr Haylett.

“We know that IKEA customers like to look online for inspiration before making a purchase. The IKEA Virtual Reality Store is simply a different and more immersive tool that allows you to do that. Through the innovative tool you can stand in a room-set and visualise it as if you were there in person, and you can for example, see our full range of sofas or beds at a glance. In the IKEA Virtual Reality Store you self navigate the experience as if you walking an IKEA store.”

SCANN3D is excited by for the launch as it demonstrates that 3D tours and virtual reality can be successful in industries such as retail. SCANN3D aims to help 3D tour providers by unlocking new verticals that will benefit from utilising immersive media.