Retail Chains to move to virtual worlds |
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Corporations, institutions, and business setting up shop in Second Life seems to be the trend now-a-days, and it seems that there isn't any slowing down.The Washington Post reports that this month, Sears Holdings Corp, in partnership with International Business Machines Corporation (er, IBM) unveiled Sears Virtual Home, a showroom on Second Life. There are also reports that Circuit City Stores Inc. have built a showroom in Second Life with IBM's help.
As trendy as it is at the moment, industry watchers are warning that the popularity of setting up shop in virtual worlds could backlash. Gartner Group analyst Steve Prentice has said earlier this month that SL was "heading toward the peak of the hype cycle" and faces the possibility of growing disillusionment among its community.
Playing it safe, the showrooms that Sears and Circuit City are just that, showrooms. Visitors can browse products, but they cannot purchase. However, despite the caution, there are hopes that consumers will eventually be able to redesign areas of their own homes (with the products) using the virtual online showroom.
Paul Miller, senior vice president of direct commerce at Sears had this to say:
The real goal here is to introduce people to the brand and in doing so, increase people's level of awareness. Does that translate into sales at some point? I think so.
Via Washington Post
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