Lowe's 3-D Room Makes Remodeling a (Virtual) Reality

It's a question retailers everywhere are grappling with: How do they get shoppers to turn off their computers and back into the store? Lowe's thinks it may have found the answer: give them something they can't get online. The home improvement retailer announced on Wednesday that it will transform the in-store experience by building a 30x30 virtual reality room that enables customers to view a 3-D representation of their renovation projects before they start with demolition. The proprietary technology, developed in partnership with SciFutures technology firm, starts by letting shoppers design their ideal room on one of the store's iPads.