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Marina Nazario/Business Insider
Retail stores are testing new high-tech mirrors.
Ralph Lauren launched interactive mirrors in its New York City flagship store in November.
Now Lululemon has a similar feature in its flagship store — only this mirror offers different features for use.
While Ralph Lauren's smart mirrors are in its fitting rooms, Lululemon's are on the floor and emphasize learning about the community.
Lululemon refers to it as its digital community board.
While it was tricky to photograph, I went to Lululemon to check it out.
Lululemon has two digital community mirrors created by tech company Nobal Technologies. One is located in its flagship store in Manhattan, the other is in Vancouver.
Lululemon
Lululemon's digital community board is interactive with its concierge service that connects shoppers with places to see, eat, or sweat in the surrounding area. A sales associate can update the mirror with classes, restaurants, and events happening in the community.
Lululemon
These interactive mirrors have five options to choose from: "mirror", "see community events", "find places to sweat", "plan your run", or "view our favorites".
Lululemon
When you tap on the "see community events" tab, the mirror will take you through different exercise classes, mediation practices, community discussions on healthy living, and film screenings happening in the store or in the surrounding area. This mirror is focused on the New York City area.
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The "find places to sweat" tab will provide you with a list of yoga, spinning, HIIT, or Pilates classes, as well as general fitness boutiques in the area to explore and attend.
Marina Nazario/Business Insider
The "plan my run" tab provides a list of running routes in the area that you can explore if you seek a new place to run.
Lululemon
The mirror will give the distance, elevation, and a description of the scenery of the route. It will even suggest a convenient place to eat in the area where you decide to run.
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The "view our favorites" tab provides a list of Lululemon suggestions on what to eat or see in the area — giving you the exact ___location and times of operation. The concierge team gathered these suggestions by talking with people in the community about places they enjoy.
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Some of Lululemon's favorite places in Manhattan include the High Line, Empire State Building, and Eataly.
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Interactive mirrors are beginning to pop up in most retail locations. While Ralph Lauren's mirror is focused on the individual shopper, Lululemon's is focused on submerging the consumer in the community.
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The digital community board and concierge service at Lululemon's flagship store is in a testing phase of use. Positive feedback from this retail service will most likely extend these store amenities to other locations.
Lululemon
I really enjoyed using the interactive mirror at Lululemon's flagship store. Because I'm new to New York City, this is a great way for me to explore different places in the area to eat and exercise. My favorite feature is the suggested running paths tab because I'm always looking for different routes to run in the congested concrete jungle. Smart mirrors like these are shaping the way we shop — enhancing the consumer experience.
