Mobile shopping decision comfort using augmented reality: the effects of perceived augmentation and haptic imagery

Purpose: Virtual try-on apps (VTOs) allow consumers to examine fashion and furniture items in usage context without going to a physical store. But the adoption of such apps has varied across product categories, and research on user acceptance of AR marketing has been fragmented. The current study aims to develop and test a general model that explains the formation of decision comfort (DC) in the majority of AR try-on experiences for mobile shopping. Design/methodology/approach: After reviewing 30 VTOs available on the iOS app store, the authors chose the Wanna Kicks sneaker shopping VTO as the most representative to test their hypotheses for AR try-on in general. Overall, 178 online consumers performed a sneaker shopping task on their mobile devices, and their responses were analyzed with the partial least squares method. Findings: The study confirmed the key role of perceived augmentation in leading to DC via a utilitarian and a hedonic path. These effects were attenuated for younger users, and haptic imagery only had a utilitarian impact. Scholars should pay more attention to the variable of age, while managers should act quickly to enhance the basic AR affordances of mobile try-on apps. Originality/value: This is the first study of a VTO in the footwear category and with a model that tests age as a moderating variable between antecedents and consumer responses.