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How virtual reality affects consumer choice

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  • Meißner, Martin
  • Pfeiffer, Jella
  • Peukert, Christian
  • Dietrich, Holger
  • Pfeiffer, Thies

Abstract

With high-immersive virtual reality (VR) systems approaching mass markets, companies are seeking to better understand how consumers behave when shopping in VR. A key feature of high-immersive VR environments is that they can create a strong illusion of reality to the senses, which could substantially change consumer choice behavior compared to online shopping. We compare consumer choice from virtual shelves in two environments: (i) a high-immersive VR environment using a head-mounted display and hand-held controllers with (ii) a low-immersive environment showing products as rotatable 3-D models on a desktop computer screen. We use an incentive-aligned choice experiment to investigate how immersion affects consumer choice. Our investigation comprises three key choice characteristics: variety-seeking, price-sensitivity, and satisfaction with the choice made. The empirical results provide evidence that consumers in high-immersive VR choose a larger variety of products and are less price-sensitive. Choice satisfaction, however, did not increase in high-immersive VR.

Suggested Citation

  • Meißner, Martin & Pfeiffer, Jella & Peukert, Christian & Dietrich, Holger & Pfeiffer, Thies, 2020. "How virtual reality affects consumer choice," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 219-231.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:117:y:2020:i:c:p:219-231
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.06.004
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    Cited by:

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    5. Thorsten Hennig-Thurau & Dorothea N. Aliman & Alina M. Herting & Gerrit P. Cziehso & Marc Linder & Raoul V. Kübler, 2023. "Social interactions in the metaverse: Framework, initial evidence, and research roadmap," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 889-913, July.
    6. Peschel, Anne O. & Frank, Darius-Aurel & Blumenkranz, Daniel & Steinmann, Sascha, 2024. "Visual fidelity in the metaverse matters for memory performance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    7. Achrol, Ravi S. & Kotler, Philip, 2022. "Distributed marketing networks: The fourth industrial revolution," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 515-527.
    8. Zhang, Yunen & Shao, Wei & Quach, Sara & Thaichon, Park & Li, Qianmin, 2024. "Examining the moderating effects of shopping orientation, product knowledge and involvement on the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) retail environment," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
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    10. Shulin Wang & Shanhua Wu, 2023. "Optimizing the Location of Virtual-Shopping-Experience Stores Based on the Minimum Impact on Urban Traffic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-25, June.

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