Virtual Reality In Retail Market (By Component: Hardware, Software, Services; By Device: Head Mounted Devices, Gesture Tracking Device; By Application; By Vertical) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2023-2032

The global virtual reality in retail market was surpassed at USD 3.29 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit around USD 38.93 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 28.03% from 2023 to 2032. The virtual reality in retail market in the United States was accounted for USD 658.9 million in 2022.

Key Pointers

• North America accounted for a significant revenue share of 30% in 2022 
• The European region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032
• The software segment is expected to expand the highest CAGR of 29.75% over the forecast period
• The Head-mounted Devices (HMDs) segment accounted for the highest revenue share of 65% in 2022 
• The food and beverage segment is expected to record a CAGR of 33.03% from 2023 to 2032
• The planning and designing segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 29.24% from 2023 to 2032.

Report Scope of the Virtual Reality In Retail Market

The growing trend of VR headsets in the retail sector is reshaping the customer shopping experience, resulting in a rapid market expansion during the forecast period. Moreover, various companies are attempting to bring VR shopping experience into their outlet and website as it enhances the user buying experience. For instance, in August 2022, Hugo Boss AG launched a virtual reality try-on service dressing room allowing online customers to try clothes with the help of personalized avatars, such strategies of players is boosting the market growth over the forecast period. Additionally, the implementation and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into virtual reality are likely to augment the demand for virtual reality in the retail market. For instance, in February 2023, Procter & Gamble Company, a multinational consumer goods company, is expected to launch a supply chain platform for its retail partners across North America. The company is tapping virtual reality tools, proprietary algorithms, and artificial intelligence to upscale its business and generate better insights, which is expected to drive virtual reality in retail market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the virtual reality in the retail market. As consumers turned to online shopping, retailers sought innovative ways to provide an immersive shopping experience, leading to increased adoption of VR technology. Virtual reality has allowed retailers to bridge the gap between physical and online shopping by offering interactive product visualization, virtual try-on, and simulated store environments. The pandemic has accelerated the integration of VR in retail, as it enables customers to engage with products and brands in a realistic and immersive manner, even from the comfort of their own homes. This shift in consumer behavior and the growing need for enhanced online shopping experiences have further propelled the virtual reality market in the retail market.

The adoption of Virtual Reality (VR) in the retail sector offers customers personalized information and experiences, contributing to its growing popularity. Through VR technology and headsets, customers can customize their shopping experience by virtually experiencing products or services. For instance, using virtual tools, a customer can personalize and customize clothing according to their preferences before making a purchase. This level of personalization is anticipated to drive the demand for virtual reality in the retail market in the forecast period.

Moreover, the utilization of VR in retail not only enables an immersive shopping experience but also generates valuable data for marketing analytics teams to enhance customer experience and increase brand awareness. This data-driven approach is expected to drive the growth of the virtual reality in retail market in the forecast period. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as the incorporation of eye-tracking technology in VR headsets, provide retailers with insights into customer preferences and buying patterns. This understanding of consumer behavior fuels the demand for virtual reality in retail as it helps retailers optimize their product offerings.

Component Insights

The software segment is expected to expand the highest CAGR of 29.75% over the forecast period, owing to the ongoing innovations and technological developments in the virtual reality in retail market. Virtual reality software allows customers to visualize products in a realistic and immersive manner before making the decision to purchase. By integrating high-quality 3D modeling and rendering capabilities, the software enables retailers to showcase the product from multiple angles in different sizes, colors, and configurations. This, in turn, is expected to augment the segmental growth over the forecast period.

The hardware segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022, owing to the notable focus on advancing headsets to enhance display resolution, comfort, and overall performance. Moreover, the eye-tracking technology is being integrated to gather valuable consumer insights, and gesture and motion tracking enhance user interaction. Additionally, there is a demand for scalable and affordable VR solutions to accommodate a wider range of retailers and customers, driving innovation in the hardware segment of the virtual reality in retail market.

Device Insights

The Head-mounted Devices (HMDs) segment accounted for the highest revenue share of 65% in 2022 and is expected to continue the same trend over the forecast period. The increasing popularity of VR headsets, such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR, among consumers is driving the growth of the HMDs segment. These headsets provide immersive experiences and are widely adopted for various retail applications, including virtual product demonstrations, virtual try-ons, and virtual store visits. As the technology advances and prices become more affordable, the demand for HMDs is anticipated to grow, further consolidating the segment's position as a major revenue generator in the VR retail market.

The gesture tracking device segment is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period. The increasing adoption of gesture tracking technologies, such as hand tracking and motion sensors, is driving the segment growth. These devices enable users to interact with virtual environments and manipulate virtual objects using natural hand movements and gestures. In the retail context, gesture tracking devices offer a seamless and intuitive way for customers to navigate virtual stores, select products, and engage with virtual content, which is expected to drive the gesture-tracking device segment growth during the forecast period.

Vertical Insights

The food and beverage segment is expected to record a CAGR of 33.03% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the emergence of virtual dining experiences. The customers can immerse themselves in virtual restaurant settings, explore menus, and even interact with virtual waitstaff. This trend offers a unique and engaging way for customers to preview and experience dining options before making reservations or ordering food, enhancing the overall dining experience and driving the growth of VR in the food and beverage retail market.

The clothing segment witnessed a significant revenue share for the virtual reality in retail market in 2022. Virtual reality is revolutionizing the clothing segment by offering innovative technologies for customers to interact with their desired products, enabling brands to showcase their product portfolio, and enhancing the shopping experience. Furthermore, the implementation of VR technology in the retail sector is experiencing increased demand as it effectively enhances customer engagement on websites, particularly for specific products. This increased level of customer engagement has a direct impact on buying decisions, driving market growth and further fueling the adoption of VR in the retail market.

Application Insights

The planning and designing segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 29.24% from 2023 to 2032. This is attributed to the properties offered by the virtual reality for the retail industry, such as store design and layout, store prototype designing, and visual merchandising, among others. In addition, the VR technology helps retailers to visualize and create virtual store layouts and designs before implementing them in physical spaces. Retailers can also get the leverage to experience shelving arrangements, product placement, and design alterations, which is expected to further drive the virtual reality in retail market growth during the forecast period.

The advertising and marketing segment witnessed a significant revenue share for the virtual reality in retail market in 2022 and is expected to record significant growth in the coming years. The growing trend of brand differentiation, increasing market presence, improved product visualization, targeted campaigns, and valuable insights in companies by implementing virtual reality in retail, are expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Moreover, the virtual reality technology collects a large amount of data and analytics insights that can be used for refined marketing strategies and optimizing product offerings, among others. This, in turn, is expected to boost the segmental growth over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for a significant revenue share of 30% in 2022 and is expected to continue its dominance from 2023 to 2032. This is attributed to the increased digitalization and virtual reality technology developments in the region. Additionally, the high disposable income levels and weakening prices of headsets with screens and processors are expected to fuel the market growth across the region. Furthermore, the growing demand for improved customer buying experience and the rising competitiveness among retailers in the region is further expected to drive the virtual reality in retail market growth.

The European region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. The market growth is attributed to the presence of numerous notable fashion brands that are implementing virtual reality to enhance the customer experience along with increasing their brand presence. In addition, the rising preference for remote shopping, as it helps customers with personalized shopping experiences with the availability of a vast product portfolio, is expected to propel the virtual reality in retail market growth further across the region.

Virtual Reality In Retail Market Segmentations:

By Component 

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

By Device 

• Head Mounted Devices
• Gesture Tracking Device
• Projectors & Display Wall

By Application 

• Information Systems
• Advertising & Marketing
• Try-on Solutions
• Planning & Designing

By Vertical 

• Food and Beverage
• Home Products
• Clothing
• Consumer Electronics

By Regional 

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia