The metaverse is all about bringing the world together. Distance is no longer an obstacle. What was once an outlandish concept from one of your favourite sci-fi movies has since become a reality, and the truth is, it couldn’t be more of an advantage for brands worldwide.
This is because it not only provides a platform for users to interact with their favourite brands and products from anywhere in the world, but it also allows further customisation for a more personalised experience. And as we all know, that little personal touch goes a long way.
We’ve already seen an increased uptake in the use of AR in eCommerce in a bid to offer interactive customer experiences, with some brands successfully bridging the gap between reality and digital experiences.
So how impactful is the metaverse?
When it comes to measuring impact, numbers speak volumes. So on that note, let’s take a look at a few metaverse stats to help paint a brighter picture.
- $800 billion is the estimated worth of the metaverse market
- NFT sales reached close to $25 billion in 2021
- Over $2.14 billion was spent on online purchases in 2021
- 10,000 new jobs will be created in the EU in the next 5 years
- By 2023 26 million VR units are projected to be sold annually
- 45.8 million people watched Travis Scott perform virtually for his Astronomical show
12 Brands Perfectly Leveraging Metaverse for superior user experience
The best way to understand the power of the metaverse is to look at a few metaverse examples that already exist in the world. While many may have taken on the new digital world, there are a few brands that stand out from the crowd, and we’ll highlight them below.
1. Nike
The sneaker brand took on a new world of product experiences by developing a virtual world, Nikeland, where customers could interact with the different products that they have on offer. It’s based on the brand’s actual headquarters, offering a behind-the-scenes look like never before.
2. Wendy’s
The fast-food chain has partnered with Wii as well as Fortnite to create avatars related to their brands to increase their exposure.
3. Hyundai
The car manufacturer partnered with Roblox to give customers the chance to experience their creations in the digital space.
4. Gucci
The fashion brand partnered with Roblox to create a two-week virtual art installation. Customers could experience the space and purchase digital items for their avatars.
5. Fortnite
The digital world partnered with Balenciaga to give customers the chance to buy limited-edition merchandise. They also create a virtual hangout space for players to enjoy.
6. Louis Vuitton
In honor of its 200th birthday, the brand decided to host a virtual game where people were tasked with finding 200 hidden candles. 30 NFTs were also up for grabs.
7. Sentosa
Back when travel was banned, the island nation found a way to welcome guests and have them experience the island – virtually of course.
8. The Walking Dead
The famous TV series partnered with Sandbox to bring their fans closer to the action by creating the ultimate Walking Dead online experience. It’s like living through the zombie apocalypse, without leaving your home!
9. Burberry
The fashion brand decided to join the metaverse by partnering with Blankos Block Party, giving players the chance to invest in Burberry fashion and accessories.
10. Ferrari
Fortnite seems to be leading the way when it comes to the metaverse, joining forces with Ferrari to offer a unique user experience. When the 296 GTB was released, the Fortnite community was one of the first to experience it.
11. Vans
The sneaker brand partnered with Roblox to create Vans World. This skating world lets users customize their sneakers while learning new tricks.
12. Forever 21
Another Roblox partnership taking the world by storm. However, this partnership gives users the opportunity to build and stock their very own digital stores.
Tick tock, isn’t it time you joined the metaverse?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know that the world has gone digital – and at a rapid pace too! Brands that have been following trends and keeping their fingers on the pulse of what has been happening in the world have been reaping the benefits of this technology. The examples listed above indicate.
The only question left to ask is why haven’t you joined the digital age. Why haven’t you joined the metaverse?
Author’s Bio:
Sabrina Sedicot is an experienced marketer, focussing on all things digital. She works for Appnova, a creative web design agency London. She works on projects across UX/ UI design, eCommerce, Branding & Content Production. She’s inspired by all forms of digital storytelling and interested in creating tailored solutions that can deliver experiences to build brands.
