VOA常速英语:未来的购物：打印机生产出毛衣？

Like most printers, the Mach 2XS by Shima Seiki has many parts.But instead of ink, it uses thread, and instead of paper, it prints knits, like this sweater.

“What we’re able to do is actually print a garment in 45 minutes that’s exactly tailored just to you,the fabrics, the styles and everything you like.”

Displayed by Intel at the National Retail Federation shown in New York City,the printer was one of many technologies retailers are using to wow customers.

“We think that it is a completely revolutionary way to approach the store.”

And given how many consumers now shop online,the on-demand personalization is an experience retailers are jumping on to drive in-store visits.

“We talk about screen engagement, broader than just mobile engagement,when it’s tested, it has screen engagement we try to aim at.”

That means turning store windows into yet another screen that captures your attention.Like this one created by Ads Reality featuring augmented-reality characters.

“It stops people outside the store because they’re amazed to see these characters inside the store...and then it drives them inside the store because they want to have their photograph taken with these characters.”

Even customer service robots, like these by autonomous , are part of the future of shopping.

“I think customer experience is still a very, very important problem to solve in retail today.With our technology, when you walk into a store one of our robots will approach you and behind the robot,it’s gonna bring someone who knows your shopping habits, who has been helping you for the past six months, who knows what you need, to talk to you.So to us that’s really, really important and that’s the very first time you can actually do personalization offline.”

For brick-and-mortar stores, these online technologies will hopefully create offline experiences that are worth shopping for.

Tina Trinh, VOA news, New York.