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Many firms, including Amazon and IKEA, utilise augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance the consumer experience. In the retail industry, AR is gaining increasing traction as a means of improving the customer experience overall. In this research, we conduct an exploratory analysis to determine whether AR contributes positively or otherwise to customer experience. By means of semi-structured interviews, we identify seven core themes pertinent to the customer journey. Findings suggest that, prior to purchase, AR can broaden consumers’ product consideration set, while narrowing the choice set. Moreover, we find evidence that AR can lessen brand value, thereby giving emerging brands the opportunity to connect with consumers. Findings indicate that, at the point of purchase, AR can help with product curation and drive hedonic value through playfulness. Finally, at the post-purchase stage, findings show that AR can influence consumer choice confidence, and can also amplify cognitive dissonance. From these themes, we draw implications for theory as well as managerial implications in terms of balancing the potential promises and perils of AR as an innovation technology.

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PurposeFor consumers, cross-channel behaviour is increasingly prevalent. Such behaviour involves consumers actively engaging in (and deriving benefit) from one channel during a product search but switching to another channel when making a purchase. Drawing on multi-attribute utility theory, this study proposes a cross-channel behaviour typology consisting of three key aspects: channel choice behaviour, functional and economic outcomes and consumer-specific psychographic and demographic variables.Design/methodology/approachSegmentation analysis conducted via latent class analysis (LCA) was performed on a sample of 400 US consumers collected via an online survey.FindingsCross-channel behaviour is not always intentional. We identify a specific segment of consumers that most often engage in unplanned, rather than intentional, cross-channel switching. We find that of all shoppers that engage in cross-channel behaviour, a fifth (20%) are forced to switch channels at the point of purchase.Practical implicationsCross-channel behaviour can be mitigated by retailers via a deep understanding of the driving factors of different configurations of showrooming and webrooming.Originality/valueIn contrast with existing conceptualisations, this study suggests that cross-channel behaviour often stems from consumers being “forced” by factors outside of their control, but within the retailers' control. This research presents a nuanced approach to decompose consumer cross-channel behaviour from the consumer perspective as planned, forced or opportunistic.