Metaverse Retailing: Are SVW Users Ready to Buy Real Products from Virtual World Stores?

Social virtual world users are spending millions of real money on virtual products and services, but are they willing to spend money on real products in-world? This study investigates the willingness of active Second Life users to shop for real products in-world and explores the benefits and drawbacks which may play a determining role in the adoption of this alternative retail channel. While many SVW users appear to be willing to purchase real products from the metaverse channel, other users raise some important security, safety and privacy concerns that need to be addressed. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that most SVW users perceive metaverse retailing as an extension to the traditional online channel, but with more fun and better product inspection capabilities. They seem to accept buying search as well as experience products from the in-world channel.

ISBN:978-989-8533-42-5

Jaar van publicatie:2015

Trefwoorden:Metaverse Retailing, Retail Channel Adoption, SVW Shopping Motivations, Social Virtual Worlds, Second Life