Title: The Pokémonisation of the first moment of truth

Authors: Zahy B. Ramadan; Maya F. Farah

Addresses: Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon ' Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801, Lebanon

Abstract: The gamification of retail, helped essentially by the development of augmented reality, is hailed today as being the reverser of declining retail sales trends. With the rapid expansion and adoption of the Pokémon Go augmented reality game, there is a dire need to understand the true implications of this game app on brands and retailers alike. Given that studies on the risks attributed to the actual gamification of augmented reality are still scarce, this paper establishes an early understanding on this subject and expands the discussion on the potential negative implications of the commoditisation of augmented reality. Based on an exploratory qualitative design whereby 24 experts in the marketing field were interviewed, this study develops the currently narrow theoretical and practical understanding of how these apps could affect retailers. In sum, the study proposes a pioneering direction on the likely negative implications that gaming platforms such as Pokémon Go could have on the first moment of truth.

Keywords: Pokémon Go; augmented reality; shopper marketing; consumer engagement; retailing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2017.084417

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2017 Vol.13 No.2, pp.262 - 277

Received: 02 Aug 2016
Accepted: 17 Oct 2016
Published online: 06 Jun 2017 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article