Purpose: Consumers today actively participate in online purchasing experiences. As a result, it is critical to comprehend the behavioral aspects of novel technology usage, such as augmented reality (AR). AR apps enable beauty companies to create and design more immersive experience services. This study aims to highlight consumers’ perspectives on their continued desire to use AR app services. Design/methodology/approach: A comparative study between China and South Korea was conducted with sample sizes of 458 and 315, respectively. Smart PLS was used for analysis. Findings: The findings suggest that AR apps influence innovative consumers in China and South Korea to be satisfied with and continue to use such services. Previous research on technology acceptance model, information system success, AR and artificial intelligence (AI)-context-specific variables supported the findings. Practical implications: This study contributes to the development of AR apps for beauty brands, as such technology revolutionizes how beauty brands work and grow. As a result, AR apps can pave the way for brands to provide an immersive experience to their customers. Originality/value: The current study contributes to AR and AI drivers in the context of beauty brands by using novel technologies such as AR. AR integration with AI-context-specific variables indicates that consumers in China and South Korea are innovative and accept such technologies when purchasing beauty products online.

The current study of Augmented Reality technology aims to understand consumers’ behavioural aspects toward tourism destination intentions in the current situation of a pandemic. Augmented Reality’s role has significantly influenced consumers’ intentions to travel in the future, yielding fruitful results for academics and managers. The technology readiness index, technology acceptance model, quality, Augmented Reality psychological engagement, attitude, and enjoyment were used to assess consumer behaviour. The final data analysis included 484 respondents, who provided insights into the use of Augmented Reality technology. The findings suggest that Augmented Reality aspects influence tourists who want to travel, tour, and realize their desired destination intention in the future. The conceptual framework’s overarching theories with Augmented Reality aspects provide relevant findings across the fulcrum of tourism research.

Purpose: This study aims to understand customer equity and loyalty using augmented reality (AR) and employee services in a physical retail environment. The current study investigated how customers’ experiences with AR-based and employee service affect their satisfaction, equity and loyalty.Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual framework was developed by reviewing AR and employee services literature. The Smart PLS-SEM technique was used to test the responses of 620 Chinese respondents empirically.Findings: The findings provided valuable insights into AR and employee services in a physical retail environment. Customers are more inclined to use AR services in the current business climate.Research limitations/implications: This study’s sample was drawn from a single city, with a total of 620 respondents, which may not be a complete representation of China as a whole. As a result, the results may not be generalizable to a single city.Practical implications: Retail brand managers should emphasize implementing innovative technologies in the physical retail environment to retain and attract customers. Pandemic consumers are opting for innovative technologies as part of their shopping experience due to changes in business models.Originality/value: The researchers recognized AR and employee services as innovative domains in physical retail stores because they can increase sales, customer equity and loyalty. As a result, the framework results are precious to practitioners interested in implementing such innovative technologies for retail stores.

Online gaming is consistently changing with the use of new technologies and seen as making an impact on consumers’ sustainable lifestyles. The gaming avatars have influenced low avatar identification players to engage in physical and learning activities through massively multiplayer online (MMO) game genre. The fundamental purpose of the study is to classify the association of an avatar with consumer’s behavioural intention for exercise and to consume healthy food. This study incorporates three theories: social cognitive theory (SCT), social determination theory (SDT) and player-avatar identification (PAI) theory to determine its four dimensions’ impact on exercise and healthy food intention to attain a sustainable healthy lifestyle. SCT is related to human cognitive behaviour in the light of immersive experience, self-presence, and enjoyment. SDT related to the physical aspects of consumers that are exercise intention and consumption of healthy food. The results have shown that immersive experience, self-presence and enjoyment do impact the consumer’s behavioural intention towards an individual’s sustainability.

Purpose: Consumers are increasingly embracing innovative technologies for enhanced experiences. This study delves into the banking consumer brand experience through the lens of augmented reality (AR). The focus is on mobile augmented reality applications within financial institutions, which contribute to a more enjoyable and immersive customer experience. Specifically, the research highlights the utilisation of mobile augmented reality applications by a Pakistani bank and examines its influence on consumer loyalty and sustained engagement, with a particular emphasis on the AR brand experience. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a comparative study between married and unmarried consumers with sample sizes of 178 and 172, respectively. The results were analysed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS. Findings: The study's outcomes show that AR brand experience for the unmarried sample category is positive and higher than a married one. This is an excellent opportunity for the banking sector in Pakistan to invest more in innovative technologies. Originality/value: The current study investigates the brand experience in the banking sector from the perspective of AR technology which contributes to the AR literature.