Using new technology to attract and retain customers to stores is top-of-mind for many retailers. But how do you design an engaging, playful in-store experience for kids and families?
Together with Coop Sweden, one of the largest grocery chains in Sweden, and Information Experience, an innovative platform using AR and VR to bring 3D models to construction, we set out to solve this question.
We wanted to give parents a shopping experience where they feel more relaxed and less stressed, and kids an experience where they have more fun while being involved in daily tasks such as getting groceries.
When designing games for kids the key to an engaging experience is to have a kids-first-approach. In our world, that means two things.
1. Design with empathy (& humor)
Put yourself in the shoes of a child. How do kids play? What do they find fun and exciting? What platforms are they on? Most importantly, have you asked them?
In the end, if kids don’t find it playful and engaging, then whatever cool, innovative technology you’re using won’t matter.
2. Design age-appropriately
A 4-year old and a 6-year old are very different in terms of their cognitive, physical and emotional capabilities. This will affect the user interface and game design, especially when dealing with Augmented Reality (AR).
You want the child to feel confident in her ability to play the game, yet give enough “challenges” and appropriate feedback so she feels engaged.
Supermarkets offer large play areas, similar to playing outdoors. We immediately stepped into the mind of a 6 year old, and started brainstorming different ways we would play outdoors: Tag, Capture the flag, Pokemon Go, Hide-and seek and other made-up adventures like scavenger hunts. Those are all fun!While thinking of outdoor play, we also had to keep in mind that navigating large stores and finding ingredients can be challenging. It sometimes leaves us feeling frustrated and stressed, and we didn’t want this to happen to kids because then we’d lose their interest...
Designing the best AR retail experience for kids isn’t just about technology!
It’s about empathy, imagination, and a willingness to experiment. By combining storytelling, play, and precise navigation, we’ve proven that shopping can be transformed from a stressful chore into a fun, family-friendly adventure.
The pilot is only the beginning, and we’re excited to keep learning, iterating, and inspiring new ways for retailers to create meaningful, joyful connections in-store.
