Introducing the world’s first subconscious shopping experience, eBay invested in pioneering neuroscience by UK-based brain technology company MyndPlay. The online giant also referred to a study that showed that 84% of inspired shoppers experienced a prolonged high at check-out and that 82% of shop-y-cats became fatigued by the pressure to fit in. The study also identified the ideal mind-state in which our brains are most open to inspiration. Like an athlete preparing to compete or admiring a work of art, this zone is achievable when we remain present, focus and calm when browsing.
Next-Generation Personalisation Technology
The experience required the shopper to adorn interesting looking wearable tech headgear. Once on, the EEG technology is supposed to instantly unlock micro-moments of inspiration. A specially designed algorithm- developed by behavioural psychologists- then connects space with a vibrant array of items from the eBay stores, which each produce a similar neurological response. Upon completion, visitors will receive personalised shopping carts filled with product suggestions based on their unique experience.
On the reason behind their partnership Rob Hattrell, Vice President of eBay UK explained, “Shopping has always been intensely personal. It’s an expression of what makes you, you. This year, we want to put inspiration back into shopping and encourage people to find what they love.We want to be there for consumers when inspiration strikes and offer a more personalised shopping experience. Through The Art of Shopping, we’re exploring this in a fun, engaging way but the integration of Interests at the end of the year gives a glimpse into how we see the future of shopping on eBay.”
Later this year, eBay will unveil a new homepage experience, built on artificial intelligence and machine learning, to provide shoppers with an unsurpassed level of personalisation. eBay Interests will deliver a tailored browsing experience; based on real shopping behaviour, serving up inventory and content tailored to shopper’s style, interests and activities or passions.
For many of us, it might seem more straightforward to make the same purchases as others, but isn’t it much less satisfying? Aiming to combat beige shopping behaviour, eBay’s The Art of Shopping uses artful subconscious shopping inspiration to challenge shoppers to step outside their comfort zone, into the ‘inspiration zone’ and let their subconscious do the shopping.
Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta is currently one of the leading influencers writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology. She has also given talks at Premiere Vision, Munich Fabric Start and Pure London, to name a few. Besides working as a fashion innovation consultant for various fashion companies like LVMH Atelier, Muchaneta has also contributed to Vogue Business, is a senior contributor at The Interline and an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, UAL.