IBM and Circuit City Join to Explore the Application of Virtual Worlds to Business

IBM and Circuit City Join to Explore the Application of Virtual Worlds to Business

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it is working with Circuit City Stores, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics, to explore how to apply virtual worlds and 3-D environments to retail business models. The relationship aims to experiment with the introduction of virtual worlds and 3-D environments into the multi-channel retailing environment.

As retailers focus on improving the customers’ experience, connecting the virtual world with the real world to solve business problems can create a richer, more immersive experience for Circuit City’s customers. This work is an extension of IBM and Circuit City’s existing systems collaboration.

To kick off this experimental work, the companies have opened a prototype virtual Circuit City store, which replicates in 3-D products available in real Circuit City stores and on circuitcity.com. The Circuit City prototype store is part of an IBM complex opening to the public next week in the virtual world of Second Life.”Teaming with IBM in the virtual world is as much about sensing and learning from the community as it is about commerce.

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