Virtual Retail-ity: Five Online Christmas Shopping Experiences

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Christmas shopping cancelled? Think again. Thanks to technology, it’s now possible for you to visit all kinds of brick-and-mortar retailers directly from the comfort of your living room. 

When it comes to doing our Christmas shopping this year, various experiences remain absent, from the joy of arriving at an overcrowded, decorated high street, to absorbing the merriment of the season via in-store music. 

Now we are shopping almost exclusively online again, various big-named retailers have been trying to bring us some of the thrills of shopping in-store to our homes instead. We’ve asked the team at Uswitch to reveal five virtual retail experiences to help you browse safely from the comfort of your sofa. 

  1. John Lewis, Virtual Store Tour 

To help get our Christmas shopping done easily and safely, John Lewis has launched an online feature that means customers can virtually visit its Oxford Street department store without leaving their sofa. Yes, that means you get all the magic of Christmas shopping without any of the mayhem. 

On the virtual tour, customers can see 1,332 beautiful hanging green baubles and 1,500 individual light bulbs in the Festive Footpath, visit the largest-ever Christmas tree forest showcasing 40 different styles to digitally walkthrough and a one-stop gift emporium. The service is available through the customer’s computer, smartphone or tablet to virtually view the store and also click through to purchase products.  

Explore John Lewis’ Christmas shop now!

  1. Liberty London, Online Christmas Shop

In response to the pandemic, Liberty London has introduced a virtual Christmas experience to help make customers’ shopping journeys safe, seamless, and festive. 

The luxury mega-store, based on Regent Street in London, has launched a 3-minute video that takes viewers on a magical tour of their quintessential Christmas store. Be inspired, as Christmas buyer, Julie Hassan unveils this year’s trending themes and in-store experts talk viewers through their top bauble buys. 

Once you have completed the Liberty London virtual experience, head to their online Christmas shop, where there are 1,000 different bauble designs to suit every festive taste. You’ll certainly spot traditional red and green baubles, and the usual assortment of arctic creatures. But, we’re more interested in the weird and wonderful ornaments, covering everything from quirky unicorns and pandas to beautiful peacock-inspired designs. 

Take a look at Liberty London’s online store on their website

  1. Josefina, Virtual Christmas Shop

Josefina a furniture shop local to Uckfield, East Sussex, has quickly adapted for all of your festive shopping needs. Offering personal shopping via Zoom where you can explore the Josefinas’s Christmas 2020 collection in full. 

This includes classic and traditional holly branches, adorable gingerbread-themed milk, honey, and sugar pots, and even a wide selection of Christmas scented candles to get you in the mood for the big day early this year.

That’s not all Josefina has to offer, either – the store is offering personalized gift boxes if you’re looking to surprise someone special or are just a little stuck for presents this year, including the likes of a ‘White Winter’, ‘Mum Love’, or even a ‘Me Time’ box – because you deserve a pamper too this Christmas. 

Find Josefina’s Christmas collection here

  1. Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design, Online Design Appointments

Already got your decorations up and moving onto the all-important gift shopping? Charlotte Cornelius has you covered if you’re looking for a shiny piece to surprise that special someone (or you just want to treat yourself this year). 

The bespoke jewellery boutique and goldsmiths, have moved online for the lockdown period and have begun offering free virtual consultations with Charlotte herself. 

You can book your call with Charlotte to commission your very own tailor-made, bespoke piece. These handmade pieces are created right in the Charlotte Cornelius goldsmiths, just in time for Christmas day. 

Pick out a piece for someone special on the Charlotte Cornelius website here

  1. Fenwick Concierge

Fenwick Concierge is providing a digitised version of their iconic brick-and-mortar store with their exclusive festive concierge service. Too busy to wrap your presents? Fenwick can do that. Need an expert’s advice on what’s the gift to give this year? Fenwick can do that, too – with their virtual personal shopping experience. 

Of course, that isn’t everything – why would it be? One of the most exciting services Fenwick are offering this year is ‘The Ultimate Fenwick Tree’ – if you’re struggling with how to decorate your tree this year, or want to push the boat out, let Fenwick know what kind of theme you’re feeling for 2020, and receive the whole package right on your doorstep. 

Check out what services Fenwick has to offer 

For further information click here: https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/virtual-events/


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