Myer, eBay Australia launch ‘world’s first VR department store’

Myer is spearheading a new experience in mobile shopping with the “world’s first Virtual Reality (VR) department store.” Partnering with eBay Australia, the up-market department store chain has built a virtual reality store that allows shoppers to browse and purchase thousands of Myer products anywhere and anytime in Australia.

The VR Department Store makes use of “shopticals,” a cardboard VR headset very similar to the Google Cardboard headsets. The shopticals will be available free for the first 15,000 customers who sign up at eBay’s site. Users then need to download the eBay Virtual Reality Department Store app on their iOS or Android phones to start their VR shopping experience.

Like how other VR headsets work, the Myer VR headset is used by inserting a mobile phone into the shoptical. Users can browse over 12,000 products in the Myer catalogue using eBay Sight Search, which is through head and eye movements. The items are presented in 2-D photos but the top 100 products can be examined in greater detail in 3-D.

The VR Department Store uses eBay Australia’s existing Application Programming Interface (API), allowing Myer’s product range, pricing and stock information to be updated in real time. As eBay boasted, this is “a first for virtual reality experiences globally.”

“Until now, we have not had the opportunity to physically experience the transformative effect VR could have on retail. By building the world’s first VR Department Store here in Australia and observing the reactions of thousands of consumers who trial the experience, we have the opportunity to lead the world into the next phase of retailing,” Jooman Park, the managing director of eBay Australia and New Zealand, said.

“Our customers can now immerse themselves in the experience of shopping inside a Myer store from wherever they may be, with the product information updated in real time to ensure everyone can keep up with the latest offers from Myer,” Richard Umbers, Myer CEO and managing director, added.

“This really showcases a department store that can bring the love of shopping to life across both physical and digital environments.”

YouTube/eBay Australia