Alibaba Rolls Out Virtual Reality Dressing Room in Hangzhou

Chinese consumers can now virtually try on products in a pair of “magic mirrors” before purchasing cosmetics. Alibaba’s B2C eCommerce platform Tmall has recently rolled out a “smart dressing room” in the West Lake Intime Mall located in Hangzhou City.

Check Out These Resources

• Do you need a business bank account for your online business? Take a look at our review of the five best bank accounts for sellers, some of which are free with no minimum balance or deposits. ^[sponsored]
• Boost your social media engagement with Publer. Learn how you can save time writing engaging content faster with AI. ^[sponsored]
• Could your online business use capital for growth? Here is a primer on revenue-based loans, and how they work.

Consumers waiting in line can use the augmented-reality-powered digital screens to virtually try on and purchase cosmetics such as lipstick, blush, eyeliners, and eyeshadows.

The “magic mirrors” appear to be similar technology like Amazon’s mirror patent we wrote up just a few weeks ago. Except Amazon is tying its smart mirror technology to in-home shopping, whilst Tmall is putting smaller screen versions out in public.

Tmall Pushes Innovation with Smart Facilities

It’s the latest addition to New Retail by Tmall and Intime after TMall teamed up with Japanese premium diaper maker Moony to create a high-tech space for nursing mothers and their babies.

The lactation room located at the West Intime Shopping Mall is undergoing remodeling and the company targets to open it to the public by the end of February.

Tmall is also working with several international brands to provide more baby-friendly lactating rooms using the eCommerce giant’s latest retail technology. The facilities will have a voice-assistant smart speaker and Tmall Genie that are connected to other devices in the room.

Other features that will be available is a “Cloud Shelf” which is a digital screen that offers customers to browse and buy a product online.

Toilet Revolution in China

Alibaba Group also plans to expand the Tmall model to more public toilets around the country. This high-tech initiative coincides with China’s continued push for a “toilet revolution,” a national drive to improve sanitation and build more clean restrooms across the country.

But more important to brands, the high-tech upgrades provide a huge opportunity to showcase products in a captive environment and attract new customers.

The smart vending machines in toilets also offer feminine products, a feature they have copied from U.S. and European women’s public toilets.

Opportunity for Western Brands and SMEs

As the Chinese middle class demands better brand name products, Tmall is ready to serve up more upscale goods. The vending machines being installed by Tmall feature non-Chinese brands such as Shu Uemera, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden and Benefit.

For SMEs that produce cosmetic and feminine products in Western countries, this could be an interesting opportunity in China.

It is also possible similar high-tech vending machines may find their way into U.S., UK and European dressing rooms and toilets. This is just another great example how eCommerce and physical locations may find synergies with improved wireless communications and payment technologies.

We hope you found this story informative. Please join us in our Free Facebook Group Global eCommerce News & Discussion for Sellers where we always talk about what is going on for SMEs around the globe. The group is a great way to discuss this article or any other news relevant to small businesses and entrepreneurs.