E188: Disruptive Retail - How Virtual Clienteling & ’Live Commerce’ Bring the In-Store Experience Home - Patrick Jacobs, Immerss

Unveiling the Future of Shopping: A Deep Dive into Immerss with Patrick Jacobs

Imagine, if you will, a world where your online shopping spree feels like a heart-to-heart chat with a friend who perfectly understands your taste, needs, and the exact size of that space in your living room you've been dying to fill. Welcome to the future of eCommerce, where Immerss is changing the game by bringing a personalized, conversational touch to your digital storefront experiences. In this episode of THE ECOMMERCE EDGE Podcast, we sit down with Patrick Jacobs, the mastermind behind Immerss, to talk about how they're blending technology and human touch in ways that make online shopping feel less like a chore and more like a day out with your bestie.

A Little Chit-chat with the Co-founder

Patrick Jacobs, calling in from the hearty state of Texas where everything's bigger, including, apparently, their influence on cuisine (ever heard of Tex-Mex, y’all?), graced us with his presence and some seriously juicy insights into the world of conversational commerce. Patrick’s journey from the hospitality trenches of California to pioneering in the eCommerce space is nothing short of movie-worthy.

Immerss: The Secret Sauce in the eCommerce Stew

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of Immerss. Picture this: a blend of live stream shopping with virtual clienteling so seamless it'll make peanut butter and jelly look like a forced relationship. Immerss is here to make sure online merchants can give you that "just right" shopping experience without the awkwardness of aimlessly wandering in the digital aisles.

A Human Touch in the Digital Realm

Ever tried buying something online and felt like you’re deciphering hieroglyphics? Yeah, we've all been there. Patrick and his team saw this abyss and asked, "What if," - what if they could connect customers directly to brand experts in real-time? What if shopping for that $800 pair of cowboy boots felt as reassuring as having an expert by your side, telling you, "Yup, those boots will indeed change your life"? That's where Immerss steps in, making that "what if" a bright, shiny reality.

The Friendly Ghost in the eCommerce Machine

Now, you might be thinking, "But doesn't this sound a tad like what Hero does?" Well, yes and no. Before Hero got swallowed up by the Klarna machine, it was dipping its toes in similar waters. But Immerss didn’t just stop at clienteling; they went full-on Broadway with live shopping and streaming, making the whole shopping experience not just interactive but fun. Like, seriously, imagine shopping while an expert not only helps you but puts on a show. Talk about retail therapy, am I right?

The Birth of a Revolutionary Idea

How did this all start, you wonder? Picture Patrick at lunch with the president of Lucchese, a high-end cowboy boot brand (because Texas, y’all). They were chatting about challenges in selling luxurious boots online, and voila, the lightbulb moment happened right between the appetizers and the main course. Fast forward, and Immerss is rolling out MVPs faster than you can say "add to cart," proving that even in our darkest COVID hit days, connecting customers with real people could light up the sales like a Christmas tree.

Breaking Down Barriers

Immerss didn’t just break the ice; they threw a party on it. By integrating live sales stats and commission tracking, they made sure that the in-store sales teams were not just on board but were leading the charge. It turned "Us vs. Them" into a collective "We", all helping customers navigate through their shopping journeys.

Bridging the Digital Divide

And here’s the kicker: Even when a sale was as good as done, how did Immerss ensure that the spark stayed alive? By turning each interaction into a stepping stone for a lasting relationship. The platform’s capability to seamlessly move from live chats to personal shopping advice not only secures the sale but wraps it with a bow of personal touch, turning customers into brand advocates.

The Immerss Takeaway

What we're seeing here is not just a shift but a complete transformation in how we view eCommerce. It's the dawn of an era where shopping online doesn't have to feel like you're hurling questions into the void, hoping for a sign. Immerss is pioneering a path where technology meets the warmth of human connection, making every click a step closer to a tailor-made shopping experience. So, to all the online merchants out there, it's time to ask yourselves: are you ready to Immerss into the future?

There you have it, folks, a sneak peek into the future, where Immerss is making sure we don't lose our human touch in the digital age. Stay tuned, and who knows, your next online shopping might just turn into a story worth telling at your next dinner party!

To learn more, check out the related THE ECOMMERCE EDGE Podcast episode below: