Imagery is key − but poses significant challenges

We surveyed more than 100 VP or C-level executives at large retail companies in marketing or e-commerce roles. Let's dive into the key findings from the report:

Product imagery is crucial to consumers

Expectations are rising as quality imagery is table stakes

say high-quality product imagery is important (SS)

said product image capabilities actually increase their confidence in purchase decisions on websites they’ve never purchased from before (SS)

of people say the top thing that deters them from purchasing a product online is low-quality product visuals and lack of compelling visuals (SS)

said a lifestyle image was more likely to capture their attention than a regular packshot (SS)

use photo shoots as their primary method to create product images

Retail executives agree: Imagery is critical to online purchases

Product imagery affects key business metrics

of retail executives agree great product imagery has a clear positive impact across e-commerce performance metrics (DR)

of retail executives agree images can elicit a powerful emotional response influencing the purchase decision (DR)

agree contextual or lifestyle images perform better than plain images (DR)

are eager to increase their company's use of these context-rich images (DR)

But photography poses significant challenges

High costs and lengthy timelines drain resources

of retail executives report challenges with image creation (DR)

find high costs challenging when managing and producing product visuals (CR2)

73% of retailers conduct photoshoots at least weekly (DR)

86% of retailers have an annual photo shoot budget of over $500,000 (DR)

68% of retailers go over budget on photo shoots frequently or always (DR)

Retailers see the value in employing 3D and CGI image creation to reach their goals

3D and CGI are the future of image creation

already use CGI and 3D product visuals in some capacity (DR)

use CGI and 3D product visuals extensively (DR)

are planning to invest in CGI in the future (CR2)

are “very positive” that CGI and 3D visuals are the future of merchandising visualization (DR)

see CGI and 3D image creation as necessary technologies to deliver on their product visualization strategy (DR)

Retailers are realizing business results

Lower costs and higher engagement and conversion rates are only some of the benefits of 3D and CGI

see clear benefits from adopting these technologies for their product images (DR)

of brands and retailers think CGI has benefited their production and management of product visuals to some extent, with 49% reporting "significant" benefits (CR2)

investing in CGI say CGI reduces product returns (CR2)

50% more carbon efficient than traditional photography (CR)

Retailers are producing 3D models for as little as $200 instead of spending $15,000 or more for one photography session (CR2)

Product imagery is crucial to consumers

Expectations are rising as quality imagery is table stakes

say high-quality product imagery is important (SS)

said product image capabilities actually increase their confidence in purchase decisions on websites they’ve never purchased from before (SS)

of people say the top thing that deters them from purchasing a product online is low-quality product visuals and lack of compelling visuals (SS)

said a lifestyle image was more likely to capture their attention than a regular packshot (SS)

use photo shoots as their primary method to create product images

Retail executives agree: Imagery is critical to online purchases

Product imagery affects key business metrics

of retail executives agree great product imagery has a clear positive impact across e-commerce performance metrics (DR)

of retail executives agree images can elicit a powerful emotional response influencing the purchase decision (DR)

agree contextual or lifestyle images perform better than plain images (DR)

are eager to increase their company's use of these context-rich images (DR)

But photography poses significant challenges

High costs and lengthy timelines drain resources

of retail executives report challenges with image creation (DR)

find high costs challenging when managing and producing product visuals (CR2)

73% of retailers conduct photoshoots at least weekly (DR)

86% of retailers have an annual photo shoot budget of over $500,000 (DR)

68% of retailers go over budget on photo shoots frequently or always (DR)

Retailers see the value in employing 3D and CGI image creation to reach their goals

3D and CGI are the future of image creation

already use CGI and 3D product visuals in some capacity (DR)

use CGI and 3D product visuals extensively (DR)

are planning to invest in CGI in the future (CR2)

are “very positive” that CGI and 3D visuals are the future of merchandising visualization (DR)

see CGI and 3D image creation as necessary technologies to deliver on their product visualization strategy (DR)

Retailers are realizing business results

Lower costs and higher engagement and conversion rates are only some of the benefits of 3D and CGI

see clear benefits from adopting these technologies for their product images (DR)

of brands and retailers think CGI has benefited their production and management of product visuals to some extent, with 49% reporting "significant" benefits (CR2)

investing in CGI say CGI reduces product returns (CR2)

50% more carbon efficient than traditional photography (CR)

Retailers are producing 3D models for as little as $200 instead of spending $15,000 or more for one photography session (CR2)

Trends in ecommerce image creation

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Imagery is key − but poses significant challenges

We surveyed more than 100 VP or C-level executives at large retail companies in marketing or e-commerce roles. Let's dive into the key findings from the report:

Research Methodology: A total of 104 qualified individuals from the United States completed the survey conducted by Dimensional Research. All were VP or C-level executives working at a retail company with more than 1,000 employees. All had responsibility for online sales, with decision-making responsibility for product images or e-commerce merchandising.

Executives agree: Imagery is critical to online purchases

agree great product imagery has a clear positive impact across e-commerce performance metrics

agree images can elicit a powerful emotional response influencing the purchase decision

20

different images are created by retailers for each product

Retailers currently use a complex variety of sources to meet their imagery needs

What methods does your company use to create product images for online shopping experiences? Choose all that apply

use photo shoots as their primary method to create product images

use multiple types of resources

But 96% report challenges with image creation

Difficulty keeping images current due to quick changes in products

Not enough headcount to execute

Tight timelines

Difficulty scaling image creation activities

Difficulty producing enough image options across channels

High cost of photo shoots

Photo shoots drain resources

conduct photo shoots at least weekly

have a photo shoot budget of over $500,000

go over budget frequently or always

Trends in ecommerce image creation

Go now

Imagery is key − but poses significant challenges

We surveyed more than 100 VP or C-level executives at large retail companies in marketing or e-commerce roles. Let's dive into the key findings from the report:

Retailers currently use a complex variety of sources to meet their imagery needs

What methods does your company use to create product images for online shopping experiences? Choose all that apply

50-90% decrease in costs

Step into the future of imagery

Create product visuals that pop — without relying on costly, time-consuming photoshoots

63% faster image creation

Empower your teams to create at scale

One model unlocks infinite product images with the click of a button — no technical skills required

2.3x engagement rate

Increase shopper engagement

Deliver photorealistic product visuals that attract and inspire shoppers

49% increase in sales conversion

Convert shoppers into buyers

Give customers the confidence they need to “add-to-cart” with detailed, immersive imagery and personalized experiences

Trusted by 3 of the world’s top 5 retailers

Plus many other renowned brands and retailers

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Meet the Nfinite platform

Image creation at scale, no technical skills required

How it works

3 steps. Unlimited visuals.

With the power of CGI technology, a dedicated creative services team, and a self-serve platform, you can create and publish unlimited imagery for every channel, season, and product. Develop immersive shopping experiences to reach audiences using the latest technology with outputs that power AR, VR, and the Metaverse.

Upload your product catalog for 3D modeling.
All we need are a few images of the product, measurements, and types of materials
Create, style, and manage product visuals
Keep your products fresh with context-rich settings and channel-specific images, all in a few clicks
Export, publish, and test images across channels
Leverage your images across channels, conduct A/B tests, measure performance, and continue to iterate