Lacoste, a popular fashion brand, has now shifted its focus towards a new frontier in the retail sector with its latest endeavor. This summer, Lacoste is making headwinds in the retail world by introducing a virtual store that strives to offer its clients a distinct shopping experience.
The store features exclusive elements that are accessible only to Le Club Lacoste and its UNDW3 (Web3) members. Lacoste’s primary objective with this innovative initiative is to cultivate a stronger sense of community and customer loyalty, providing an extended retail experience that spreads beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
As shoppers step into the virtual store, they are welcomed with a delightful stroll, leading them from a serene beach scene directly into a colossal crocodile mouth, representing Lacoste’s iconic logo. Inside this virtual haven, they are welcomed with the most recent summer collection, showcasing a variety of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
A swift elevator ride takes visitors to an enchanting outdoor space, where they can explore additional products, all presented in a tranquil pool-deck setting with a picturesque beach view.
Attractive Features And Unique Partnerships
NFTs are becoming majorly linked to real-world items and experiences, and in the case of Lacoste, digital assets work as keys to help unleash unique shopping regions and collections. Increasing layers of engagement in the shopping experience, the virtual store also consists of a crocodile scavenger hunt.
This hunt sends shoppers to an underwater VIP space, a feature that is made available exclusively to the UNDW3 and Le Club Lacoste members. This exclusive space is unlocked via an email login or a Lacoste nonfungible token.
Within the VIP space, shoppers will encounter an extraordinary UNDW3 collection co-created exclusively for this event. The collection emerged from a collaboration between Lacoste and its UNDW3 Web3 community members in March and is set to be unveiled this summer. What sets this collection apart is the incorporation of digital twins and an AR feature, accessible through a QR code scan, accompanying each physical garment.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The VIP room holds a captivating mini treasure-hunt game, where engaged community members can anticipate receiving special prizes on a weekly basis.
The Power Of Emperia’s Virtual Retail Experience
Lacoste’s summer virtual store was unveiled in partnership with Emperia, a virtual retail technology developer. Notably, Emperia’s platform empowers retailers to develop and maintain advanced shoppable virtual experiences. Additionally, it leverages data monitoring to optimize in-store virtual user experiences, conversions, and brand engagement.
The introduction of Lacoste’s summer virtual store comes after the firm’s holiday virtual experience that was unleashed late in 2022. This previous business venture was a huge success, earning Lacoste and Emperia a Webby Award in the Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual Retail & Shopping class in 2023. The summer virtual store maintains Lacoste’s commitment to innovative retail experiences, guaranteeing an equally rewarding journey for the shoppers.
The Takeaway
By employing NFTs innovatively, Lacoste seamlessly connects the physical and digital realms, crafting a multi-dimensional retail experience. The summer virtual store represents the fusion of fashion and technology, establishing Lacoste’s unique presence in the retail sector. Offering exclusive collections, interactive in-store activities, and an immersive shopping environment, the brand aims to foster a strong sense of community among its customers.
This forward-thinking approach to e-commerce showcases Lacoste’s commitment to bolstering customer loyalty and engagement in the ever-evolving retail landscape. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and enhancing the shopping experience, Lacoste cements its position as a trailblazer in the industry.
