Imagine stepping into a store where you can try on outfits without ever touching a hanger—or visualize exactly how a new sofa would look in your living room with a tap of your phone. The worlds of AR and VR examples are no longer science fiction—they’re transforming our daily experiences, from shopping and learning to gaming and navigating cities. Let’s uncover how businesses and innovators worldwide are reshaping the way we live, work, and play through the magic of augmented and virtual reality.
Introduction: What Makes AR and VR Examples So Groundbreaking?
The digital frontier has never felt closer or more interactive. AR and VR examples—from Pokémon GO to VR fashion shows—help bridge the gap between imagination and reality. In this blog, you’ll discover:
- What makes these technologies tick
- The most impactful real-life AR and VR examples in 2025
- How they’re revolutionizing retail, marketing, education, and beyond
- Data-driven insights and stories for curious minds of all ages!
Understanding AR and VR: How They Work in the Real World
Definition Box
- Augmented Reality (AR): Adds virtual elements (like images or data) onto the real world via smartphones, glasses, or screens.
- Virtual Reality (VR): Immerses users in a fully virtual world, often with a headset, blocking out reality for an interactive digital experience.
Both are transforming major industries — but their uses, impact, and “wow” factor differ in surprising ways.
AR and VR Examples in Everyday Life: Retail, Education, Gaming, and More
Top Augmented Reality (AR) Examples
- IKEA Place (Retail): Lets shoppers preview furniture in their actual rooms via AR, boosting buyer confidence and reducing returns. Users point their phone, select a product, and see it “placed” in real life with perfect scale.
- Pokémon GO (Gaming): One of the world’s most popular AR games—digital creatures appear overlaid onto streets, parks, and sidewalks, sending millions outside to “catch” them.
- Snapchat Lenses (Social Media): People use AR filters to add accessories, animate their faces, or try on digital makeup while taking selfies.
- Saks Fifth Avenue Virtual Try-On (Fashion): Luxury shoppers use smart mirrors or their phones to see clothes and accessories on themselves before buying. This increases in-store and online engagement.
- Saatchi Art “View in My Room” (Art Retail): Customers visualize over a million artworks on their own walls via AR web features—boosting sales and reducing hesitation.
- Nike Fit (Footwear/Retail): Smartphone AR scans your feet, delivering perfect fit recommendations—accuracy within 2mm!
- Houzz AR Tool (Home Design): Test how furniture and decor fit in your space before you purchase.
- Makeup Genius by L’Oréal (Beauty): Virtually try on various makeup looks straight from your phone—no mess, total personalization.
- AR Navigation in Malls: Use your phone to navigate stores with directions and product highlights.
- Jewelry Store AR Displays: “Try on” luxury necklaces or watches, even if the real piece isn’t in stock.
Top Virtual Reality (VR) Examples
- IKEA Place VR: A VR version lets you “walk” through your future or newly designed home, swapping layouts and styles.
- Alibaba Buy+ (E-Commerce): Shop inside a fully immersive virtual mall, browsing, picking, and buying products as if inside a real store.
- Tommy Hilfiger’s VR Fashion Show: Fashion enthusiasts experience live runway moments via VR headsets, making exclusive events globally accessible.
- Audi VR Car Configurator: Build and explore your dream car in a realistic virtual showroom—rotate, customize, and sit “inside” before buying.
- North Face VR Wilderness: Embark on a virtual hike through Yosemite National Park, exploring landscapes and gear in a digital adventure.
- Sephora Virtual Artist: Try on cosmetics through a VR or AR app—see results instantly on your face using smartphone or in-store kiosks.
- Lowe’s Holoroom (Home Improvement): Design, decorate, and “stand inside” a virtual kitchen or bathroom before any real construction begins.
- eBay Virtual Department Store: Navigate and interact with goods in a totally virtualized shopping space.
AR and VR Exemplars: Retail, Education, and Entertainment
AR and VR in Retail—How Stores Win Big
- AR Increases Sales: Saatchi Art’s AR tool led to a 70% increase in sales with their “View in My Room” feature—a gamechanger for online art buying.
- Virtual Fitting Rooms: Tommy Hilfiger’s AR mirrors and Ulta/Sephora “virtual try-on” kiosks led to over 60% more try-ons, more purchases, and higher customer satisfaction.
- In-Store Navigation and Digital Displays: AR helps shoppers find their way and engage with dynamic, data-rich in-store experiences.
AR and VR in Education
- Anatomy Learning via AR: Medical students can “see inside” the human body using AR overlays—making complex subjects more engaging and memorable.
- Immersive History Lessons: VR tours let students explore ancient civilizations, walk historic battlefields, and experience science simulations firsthand.
AR and VR Examples Table
| Technology | Example | Industry | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR | IKEA Place | Retail | Try furniture virtually in your own home |
| AR | Pokémon GO | Gaming | Engages millions in active outdoor play |
| AR | Snapchat Lenses | Social Media | Fun, personalizable photo/video effects |
| AR | Nike Fit | Retail | Accurate shoe sizing via smartphone |
| AR | Houzz AR Tool | Interior Design | Test furniture & decor at home |
| AR | Saatchi Art “View in My Room” | Art Retail | Preview art on your walls via web browser |
| VR | Alibaba Buy+ | E-commerce | Immersive online shopping in a virtual mall |
| VR | Tommy Hilfiger VR Fashion Show | Fashion | Experience runway shows from home |
| VR | Audi VR Car Configurator | Automotive | Explore and customize cars in virtual space |
| VR | Lowe’s Holoroom | Home Improvement | Virtual home design before committing |
Answer Engine Quick Reference
Q: What is the main difference between AR and VR?
A: AR adds virtual elements to the real world (e.g., seeing digital furniture in your actual room), while VR immerses you in a completely digital environment, often using a headset.
Q: Which brands use AR and VR in retail?
A: IKEA, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Audi, Alibaba, Sephora, Ulta, North Face, and Saatchi Art are all leading innovators in AR and VR for retail.
Q: How do AR and VR apps benefit customers?
A: They boost confidence, reduce purchase anxiety, improve engagement, and make shopping or learning more efficient and enjoyable.
The Power and Possibility of AR and VR Examples Today
Our world is rapidly evolving, with AR and VR examples proving that imagination is the only limit. From shopping smarter to learning faster, these tools empower both consumers and businesses in ways most people could only dream of a decade ago. As you explore these innovations—whether trying on digital sneakers, designing a new room, or attending a global event from home—remember that the future of immersive technology is already here. Share your favorite AR or VR experience or check out our next tech guide for more insights into the exciting world of digital innovation!