Q1 Xperiences & Reflections

Welcome to Dopple's X.R. Report, our quarterly recap where we explore our Xperiences and Reflections from industry events across the country.

Dopple in the Wild: Where We’ve Been This Quarter

Kicking off 2025 strong, Dopple spent Q1 making intentional moves across some of the retail and commerce industry’s biggest stages; from Shoptalk and eTail West to category specific shows like AIMExpo and KBIS. These events help us keep a pulse on emerging trends, hear firsthand from brands and partners, and deepen relationships with the companies shaping the future of commerce.

We also continued to lean into our community-building efforts through private events, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership moments. Here’s what we learned…and what we’re thinking about next.

Where We Showed Up

NRF '25

Why We Attended:
The NRF conference is a prime opportunity for Dopple to connect with key players in the retail industry. Our goals were clear: build strategic partnerships with e-commerce platforms, tech providers, and retail brands, showcase our cutting-edge 3D and AR solutions for product visualization, and increase brand awareness among enterprise retailers and DTC brands.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• AI Integration: Artificial Intelligence is transforming retail by driving personalization, enhancing shopping experiences, and optimizing inventory.
• Experiential Physical Stores: Retailers are evolving their physical locations into experience hubs, using AR and interactive technologies to engage customers.
• Omnichannel Strategies: A seamless customer experience across online, mobile, and in-store touchpoints is crucial for modern retailers.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Retailers are focusing on eco-friendly practices, pushing for more sustainable operations to meet consumer demand.

Dopple Highlights:
At NRF, Dopple hosted a vibrant happy hour with ELVA and Yotpo, providing a fantastic setting for networking and discussing industry trends. We also explored potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities, while showcasing how Dopple’s 3D configurators can elevate the shopping experience. Attendees were particularly impressed by our innovative solutions for product customization, and our discussions around AI and sustainability sparked interest in how Dopple can help brands reduce waste and streamline their processes.

By attending NRF, we gained key insights into how we can further integrate AI into our offerings, enhance omnichannel strategies, and leverage AR to bridge digital and physical shopping experiences. We're excited about the potential to align our technology with emerging retail trends, making a real impact on how customers shop in the future.

SHOT Show

Why We Attended:
SHOT Show 2025 provided Dopple with a prime opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge innovations to the 2A market and beyond. Our goals were twofold: to introduce our product configurator to firearm builders looking for customization solutions, and to connect with industry leaders, learn about emerging trends, and forge new relationships within the outdoor and hunting gear community. From building awareness of Dopple’s capabilities to engaging directly with engineers and innovators, SHOT Show was a crucial platform for expanding our presence in this highly competitive market.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Smart and Connected Devices: The demand for "smart" features like app-controlled firearm safes and advanced camera systems was prominent throughout the show. This shift to digital integration reflects a new generation of consumers who expect technology-driven solutions.
• Lightweight & Modular Designs: Many exhibitors emphasized modularity and ergonomics, offering customizable products that adapt to various user needs. The focus on scalable solutions resonated with Dopple’s mission to support OEMs and aftermarket customization.
• Cross-Industry Collaborations: Several booths showcased collaborations between outdoor brands and organizations from outside the traditional hunting sector, signaling new partnership opportunities for Dopple in unexpected spaces.
• Rising Demand for Scalable Solutions: As customization becomes more integral to the buying process, gun builders seek solutions that allow for seamless integration with a growing range of products, ensuring their offerings can scale alongside changing customer needs.

Dopple Highlights:
Dopple made a splash at SHOT Show with interactive demonstrations of our latest product configurator. Visitors had the chance to see our platform in action, including part explosions and animations that brought product customization to life. This hands-on experience received great feedback, with many attendees impressed by our focus on lightweight, user-friendly features.

We also hosted a lively Sugar Cane Happy Hour with Ballistic Agency and Listrak, where industry friends and partners gathered to network and relax over delicious food and cocktails. This event gave us the chance to discuss future product roadmaps with key partners like Shopware, Big Commerce, and Topple, building meaningful relationships that will carry us into the next phase of innovation.

From engaging with notable brands like SIG Sauer and Staccato to exploring new product releases, SHOT Show 2025 was an invaluable experience. We’re excited about the insights we gained and the opportunities ahead to continue innovating within the 2A and outdoor markets. Stay tuned as Dopple continues to evolve alongside industry trends, pushing the boundaries of product design, functionality, and responsible innovation.

AIMExpo

Why We Attended:
Dopple attended AIMExpo 2025 to demonstrate our platform to event attendees and gather insights on the powersport industry for product and market research.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• E-commerce Challenges: Many powersport brands sell through dealerships or marketplaces, limiting their control over e-commerce. 
• Fit for Powersport Industry: Powersport brands, with their high-ticket items and large number of SKUs, are an ideal fit for 3D technology but often don’t know where to start.
• Younger Generations & Digital Adoption: Powersport brands are struggling to engage younger generations (Millennials), despite adopting digital-first strategies.
• Lifestyle Branding: Many brands used lifestyle branding as a differentiator, looking for a way to implement immersive product photography.

Dopple Highlights:

• Booth & Demo Engagement: Our booth featured live demos of Dopple’s AR and product configurator capabilities.
• Platform Demo Videos: We showcased demo videos on a TV loop to spark conversations and draw in attendees.
• Key Prospects: We had the opportunity to provide in-person demos to key prospects, deepening our relationships and advancing discussions about future collaborations.

eTail West

Why We Attended:
Dopple attended eTail West 2025 to build technology partnerships, strengthen relationships with agencies, and attract new clients by engaging with leaders in e-commerce and staying ahead of industry trends.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• AI-Driven Personalization: AI is playing a key role in 3D product configuration, allowing for personalized recommendations and dynamic visualizations based on customer preferences and behaviors.
• Video Content Marketing: The rise of short-form videos and influencer collaborations offers Dopple the opportunity to showcase 3D and AR experiences in action, driving engagement through real-time product customization.
• Omnichannel Strategy: Brands are looking to create a seamless shopping journey across all touch points—web, mobile, and in-store—highlighting the need for Dopple's 3D configurator to be integrated across these platforms.
• Data-Driven Insights: Collecting data on customer interactions with 3D and AR models can provide valuable analytics, helping brands understand customer behaviors and preferences related to product customization.
• Sustainability: Sustainability continues to be a top priority for retailers, with a focus on adopting eco-friendly practices to meet consumer expectations. Dopple can align with this trend by promoting sustainable materials and customization options in product designs.

Dopple Highlights:

• Private Dinner Event: Dopple hosted a private dinner in Coachella with partners such as Guidance, One Magnify, Firework, and Frate Returns. This informal setting allowed for deep networking and relationship-building with agencies and technology partners.
• Insightful Discussions: The dinner provided valuable insights into the trends discussed at the event, and discussions centered around how Dopple could help integrate these strategies into client projects and partnerships moving forward.

KBIS/IBS

Why We Attended:
KBIS 2025 was a key opportunity for Dopple to conduct product and market research within the kitchen and bath industry. We aimed to engage directly with top brands, and potential partners to better understand their needs and pain points. Our goal was to strengthen existing relationships with partners like Shopware and Cronix. The event provided a great platform to explore how Dopple’s 3D configurators and AR experiences could align with the trends and challenges facing the kitchen and bath market today.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Brands are increasingly focused on digital solutions and customization.
• There is growing demand for seamless, omnichannel experiences within the industry.

Dopple Highlights:

• Sponsored a booth alongside Shopware and Cronix, where we spent several hours engaging with event attendees.

Shoptalk

Why We Went:
We attended Shoptalk to build and nurture relationships with both current and prospective partners, stay ahead of trends in visual merchandising, and meet in person with clients. Shoptalk provided an invaluable opportunity to engage in strategic discussions with potential partners, learn about new advancements in the e-commerce space, and explore new ways to integrate emerging technologies, such as AI, into Dopple's offerings.

Key Highlights and Takeaways:

• Unified Customer Experiences: A major theme was the shift towards creating seamless shopping experiences that blend online, in-store, and mobile platforms. Retailers are integrating live commerce and shoppable content to bridge discovery and conversion.
• AI Integration in E-commerce: AI is being used in more practical ways, such as personalizing product recommendations based on session behavior and real-time intent, and utilizing AI-powered CGI for dynamic visual content.
• Generative AI and Search: The evolution of AI-driven search capabilities, including visual search tools like Google’s "Circle to Search," allows consumers to search for products using images. This transformation is making product discovery more intuitive and personalized.

Dopple Highlights:

• Networking and Happy Hour: We hosted a happy hour with BigCommerce and Verdale, attracting notable guests like Michelin Tires, Hess Trucks, Sur La Table, TikTok, and Filter Easy. This event provided an excellent opportunity for relationship-building and collaboration.
• CEO Interview: Justin was interviewed by the Irish Titan CEO at Ri Ra on the trends discussed at Shoptalk, focusing on the growing role of AI in e-commerce, and how Dopple’s 3D configurators fit into this evolving landscape.

Trend Watch: What We’re Seeing Across the Industry

From the show floors of AIMExpo to the packed sessions at Shoptalk and eTail West, Q1’s event circuit gave us a front-row seat to the shifts happening across retail, e-commerce, and customer experience. Here are three major trends we saw gaining real traction and sparking meaningful conversations across industries:

1. Personalization at Scale, Powered by AI

If there was one word that echoed through nearly every session and booth: personalization. Retailers are doubling down on delivering customer experiences that feel tailor made and AI is making that scalable. From real time product recommendations to AI-generated content based on user behavior, the end goal is clear: make every shopper feel like the brand gets them.

This goes well beyond marketing emails or “you might also like” suggestions. Brands are applying AI across the entire funnel to anticipate needs, reduce friction, and drive loyalty. Want to learn more? Check out our recent whitepaper:  The Unseen Influence of 3D in the Age of AI

2. Omnichannel Expectations Are Now Table Stakes

The line between online and offline continues to blur. Customers expect a seamless experience whether they’re browsing a mobile app, standing in a store, or interacting with a product on social media. Shoppable video, AR-enhanced shopping, and live commerce are just a few of the tools brands are using to close the gap between discovery and conversion.

It’s not just about being present across channels, it’s about ensuring the experience feels cohesive and frictionless no matter where the customer shows up.

3. Visual Storytelling Is the New Merchandising

Static images and product grids aren’t cutting it anymore. Brands are moving toward rich, immersive visuals to tell their product stories through video, 3D, AR, and even generative AI content. Whether it’s influencer led tutorials, short form social content, or dynamic product builders, shoppers want to experience the product, not just read about it.

We saw this trend come alive across industries with brands reimagining how products are presented online to create deeper connections and faster paths to purchase.

These trends point to a retail future that’s more dynamic, visual, and customer-centric than ever before. Brands that embrace these shifts aren’t just keeping up, they’re building the kinds of shopping experiences today’s consumers expect.

What’s Next for Dopple

After a whirlwind Q1 packed with events, insights, and momentum, one thing is clear: IRL connections are more important than ever. Whether we were demoing with partners at KBIS, talking visual merchandising at eTail West, or diving into unified commerce at Shoptalk, the conversations we had this quarter reinforced the value Dopple brings to brands navigating an increasingly visual and complex e-commerce landscape.

Q1 gave us validation, new ideas, and fresh ways to collaborate. Now, we’re carrying that energy into a stacked Q2.

We’ll be hitting the road again soon, with stops at:

• Shopware Partner Day
  
• NRA Annual Meeting
  
• High Point Market
  
• B2B Online Chicago
  
• Groove Commerce Summit
  
• League Originals Summit
  
• Shopify Summit
  
• Augmented World Expo (AWE)
  
• Outdoor Retailer & ODI
  

If you're attending any of these events — or just want to chat about how to bring your products to life online — we’d love to connect.

Let’s keep building.