Lowe's virtual experience revolutionizes the way Canadians view products

New Augmented Reality technology helps customers interact with products in 3D from home

TORONTO, May 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Lowe's Canada in partnership with LG Appliances and Red Piston introduced customers to Augmented Reality - a technology that uses a combination of real-world and computer-generated data to literally make products pop out of the flyer in three dimension.

With the use of a special App, customers can use camera-enabled iOS or Android Smartphones and Tablets** to take a virtual tour of the selected images - all while looking at a traditional flyer, from the comforts of home.

The pilot project includes three LG Appliances that will appear in the Lowe's flyer delivered to customers May10th. The LG washer, dryer and refrigerator featured are all compatible with the App that allows customers to zoom in on specific hot spots, or test product features such as opening and closing the doors, pulling out the drawers, and turning on the washer and dryer to see how they work.

"Technology is changing how people shop and the ways in which we interact with our customers," says Alan Huggins, president of Lowe's Canada."Lowe's is always looking for innovative ways to inspire customers - this new Virtual Experience allows products on paper to be viewed as though they are within a showroom at home and helps to demonstrate how an appliance would look in the customer's own kitchen or laundry room."

The App, which supports the use of Augmented Reality technology, was created by Red Piston, a company based out of Windsor, Ontario that specializes in building innovative Mobile Apps.

"We're proud to have worked on this project with a great partner like Lowe's", says Ali Al-Aasm, Co-Founder, Red Piston. "It's exciting to have developed an App that uses technology that customers really haven't seen much of yet in the Canadian Marketplace."

In order for customers to take part in the Virtual Experience, access to the internet, a camera-enabled iOS or Android Smartphone or Tablet, and a copy of the Lowe's flyer is required. Customers can visit www.lowes.ca/FAQ  for specific details on how to acquire the App and use the technology, or to download a printable PDF version of the flyer.

The Virtual Experience is just one way in which Lowe's is using technology to further enhance the customer experience in-store. All Lowe's locations are now wi-fi enabled and equipped with both iPhones and iPads that help to better serve customers. With the use of these devices, Associates are able to check inventory without leaving the customer's side, or scan a bar code to display additional product information and play product videos.

ABOUT LOWE'S:

With fiscal year 2011 sales of $50.2 billion (USD), Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE^® 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,745 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world.

Lowe's Companies Canada, ULC first opened Canadian stores in December 2007 and now operates 31 stores in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia with more than 4,500 employees company-wide.

** System Requirements: iOS 4.2 and above, Android 2.2 and above. Visit www.lowes.ca/FAQ for additional specifications

Or to arrange an interview, contact:

Joanne Elson, Corporate Communications Manager
Lowe's Canada
416-730-7475
[email protected]

Katie Wagar, Corporate Communications Specialist
416-730-7504
[email protected]