Online shopping is a godsend this time of year. And while it’s true that the convenience that comes with a digital cart and express shipping is appealing, there’s something about in-person
browsing that gets the merry vibes going—especially after a homebound year that made leisure shopping a rarity.
For those who take pleasure in scouting gifts the old-fashioned brick-and-mortar way, Ralph Lauren’s latest virtual stores will make your holiday dreams a reality. The iconic retailer’s new shopping innovation combines the best of the digital and physical worlds, capturing the feeling of shopping IRL through a tech-savvy experience, while offering the option to get your desired goods delivered right to your hot little hands. Let us paint a picture.
Imagine walking into a festively-decorated boutique—garlands hanging, lights twinkling. You saunter inside to discover a sleek space stocked with curated, highly giftable finds. Intrigued (maybe even a little bit entranced), you venture in further and fix your eyes on a luxurious assortment of winter-ready knit accessories. Turn to one side, and you spot luxe leather handbags and an artfully arranged shoe display. The next thing you know, you’re drooling over a shearling coat—the elusive find even your famously picky sister will approve, perhaps? It isn’t long before you’re spoiled for choice, pondering whether mom would prefer the elegant crystal glassware or the floral-scented eau de parfum.
You can get a taste of this holiday shopping wonderland via Ralph Lauren’s virtual store experience. Instead of strolling through the gorgeous space, you’ll click and scroll your way through using guided arrows on your screen (there’s also a directory that allows you to effectively teleport from section to section).
The interface offers plenty of thoughtful details to replicate the in-person browsing experience, but with even more convenience: instead of flagging down a salesperson, simply click on the icon that pops up near your item of interest to learn more about it. Even better, you have the ability to quickly and easily add an item to your “favorites” list, or buy it on the spot with a couple of clicks. What’s more, you’ll feel like a VIP who gets the store all to themselves—a serious improvement over fighting the crowds on a bustling Saturday afternoon.
Try out Ralph Lauren’s immersive experience for yourself—and don’t be surprised if you end up scoring five-star gifts for your entire list while you’re at it.