Holographic display technology is revolutionizing visual presentation by creating three-dimensional (3D) images that appear to float in space without requiring special glasses. This advancement makes retail environments more engaging by enabling interactive product showcases, dynamic advertisements, and immersive brand experiences. Ongoing improvements in light-field projection, AI integration, and cost-efficient manufacturing make holographic displays more accessible and affordable for widespread retail adoption.
Table of ContentsWhat is a Hologram?Types of Holographic Display TechnologiesHolograms in Retail: Enhancing Shopping ExperiencesKey Players in Retail HolographyHoloconnectsHYPERVSNLight Field LabProto (formerly PORTL Hologram)The Future of Retail with Holography
What is a Hologram?
Unlike traditional flat screens that rely on 2D images or stereoscopic illusions, true holographic displays use advanced light projection techniques to generate realistic, volumetric visuals. These displays project light from multiple angles, allowing viewers to perceive depth and motion parallax naturally. This breakthrough lets viewers shift their perspective and focus on different depths, mimicking real-world object interaction.
Types of Holographic Display Technologies
There are multiple methods for producing holographic imagery, each offering unique advantages for retail applications:
Light-Field Displays: These displays emit billions of light rays from different angles, forming an actual volumetric 3D image that appears mid-air. Viewers can focus on different depths and move around the hologram to see it from multiple perspectives.
Volumetric Displays: These systems generate imagery within a physical volume by sweeping a projection surface through space or illuminating airborne voxels (volumetric pixels) to create a 3D shape.
Holographic Fan Displays: These displays use high-speed spinning LED arrays to create the illusion of floating 3D objects. The persistence of vision allows the human eye to perceive a solid volumetric image.
Projection-Based Holography: These setups use transparent screens or angled glass reflectors to overlay digital content onto real-world backdrops, enhancing mixed-reality experiences.
Holograms in Retail: Enhancing Shopping Experiences
Retailers are increasingly integrating holographic displays to captivate customers and enhance in-store engagement. High-end department stores have deployed holographic 3D units to project luxury product collections in stunning detail, drawing passersby into stores. Similarly, fashion brands have used holographic mannequins to showcase apparel in an interactive format, allowing shoppers to visualize outfits on virtual models without trying them on physically.
Holographic advertising is also gaining traction in shopping malls. Some retail locations have installed holographic ad displays, presenting 3D advertisements that significantly increase shopper dwell time compared to traditional digital signage. These displays feature interactive brand promotions and live hologram appearances, offering a dynamic way to engage consumers.
Large-scale holographic walls are transforming public spaces by offering life-sized 3D visualizations. Used in transit hubs and flagship stores, these installations create immersive brand experiences. Some companies have leveraged holographic walls in public locations to project interactive 3D product showcases, demonstrating the technology’s potential in experiential marketing.
Key Players in Retail Holography
Several companies are pioneering holographic retail technology:
Holoconnects
Holloconnects offers products like the Holobox and Hologrid, which are modular, interactive hologram displays. These are marketed for retail environments to showcase products dynamically, such as demonstrating clothing or electronics in 3D. Their technology aims to WOW target audiences and is ideal for product launches and in-store promotions, making it a strong contender in the retail holograph space.
HYPERVSN
HYPERVSN is a London-based holographic technology firm that has gained attention for its 3D hologram solutions tailored for retail and advertising. Their displays create eye-catching, floating holographic visuals used by major brands like Coca-Cola, Adidas, and Walmart to enhance in-store experiences and drive sales. For instance, Coca-Cola reported a 12% sales increase in Mexico after deploying HYPERVSN’s holographic advertising. Their solutions are designed to attract customers, boost engagement, and elevate brand visibility in physical retail spaces.
Light Field Lab
Light Field Lab technology projects high-resolution 3D objects in mid-air, offering a glimpse into the future of holographic retail displays. Thier SolidLight holographic displays project objects in mid-air without headgear, targeting retail applications like interactive billboards or in-store product showcases. Their vision includes transforming traditional retail signage into immersive retail-tainment experiences.
Proto (formerly PORTL Hologram)
Proto focuses on holographic telepresence, enabling people to be holoportated into remote locations for live interactions and advertising. They are creating a holographic communications platform with devices like the Epic and Proto M, which can display life-size or tabletop holograms. While applicable across industries like telemedicine and entertainment, Proto has been positioned for retail use, such as virtual shopping experiences where customers interact with holographic product displays or virtual assistants (VA) based on actual personalities and trained with AI and LLMs. Its scalability and cloud-based content management make it appealing for retail innovation.
The Future of Retail with Holography
As holographic technology evolves, it is converging with augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and large language models (LLMs) to create more intelligent and accessible retail experiences. Virtual try-on solutions are becoming increasingly sophisticated, allowing shoppers to see holographic projections of themselves wearing clothing, accessories, or cosmetics in real time. These experiences are powered by AI-driven personalization, ensuring shoppers receive tailored recommendations based on their preferences and shopping history.
Beyond in-store displays, mobile volumetric LED technologies are emerging, enabling consumers to experience holographic content on their smartphones. These innovations allow users to visualize products in 3D without requiring specialized hardware, blending digital shopping with physical-world interactions. As smartphone cameras and processing capabilities improve, consumers can view lifelike holograms of products, models, and interactive assistants in their own space, providing an authentic phygital shopping experience.
AI-powered holographic assistants are poised to transform retail customer service. These intelligent 3D avatars can answer questions, guide shoppers through stores, and even offer real-time styling advice. Leveraging LLMs, these holographic sales associates can engage in natural conversations, helping customers make informed decisions while providing a seamless, futuristic shopping experience.
Another promising development is holographic technology for live events and product launches. Retailers can deploy interactive holograms to introduce new collections, host virtual influencer showcases, or simultaneously beam celebrity brand ambassadors into multiple store locations. This creates immersive, high-engagement experiences previously only possible with in-person events.
As costs decrease and technology becomes more widely available, holographic displays will become a staple of modern retail, bridging the gap between online and offline shopping. Integrating AR, AI, LLMs, and mobile holography will redefine consumer interactions, offering a hyper-personalized and visually compelling shopping experience. Retailers embracing this technology stand to gain a competitive edge by delivering experiences that captivate and convert shoppers like never before.
©2025 DK New Media, LLC, All rights reserved | DisclosureOriginally Published on Martech Zone: Holographic Technology in Retail: Current State and Future Prospects