In-store gift experience company Activity Superstore and Debenhams have teamed up to roll out a promotion that uses virtual reality to bring gifts to life in stores for shoppers. Four of Activity Superstore’s gift experiences are being demonstrated through the use of virtual reality in 21 Debenhams stores.

Activity Superstore chief executive, Shaun Powell said: “We see continual growth from our in-store gift experiences and wanted to provide our retail partners with a spectacle, which had a direct link to ROI and purchase for us, creating something entirely unique for shoppers to drive footfall in-store. We’re working with Debenhams to enhance customer engagement in-store while also delivering a virtual representation of our most thrilling gifts.”

The project launched its first site on November 2nd in Debenhams flagship store on London’s Oxford Street. The promotion will be rolled out in nine of Debenhams’ stores by November 22nd with a further 12 providing interactive encounters from December 11th throughout the festive shopping period.

Head of merchandising at Debenhams, Richard Vanoli said: “We know that customers buying gift experiences are keen to get an understanding of what the activity will look like before they purchase. Incorporating virtual reality into the sales process enables us, along with our partner Activity Superstore, to give shoppers an immersive snapshot of what is on offer.”