Tech, Trends, and Tomorrow: Highlights from Smart Commerce Nordic 2025

Last week, we attended Smart Commerce Nordic 2025, an excellent event with many valuable discussions regarding the future of commerce.

It was a day filled with ideas, knowledge, and networking, as well as concepts on how business is being transformed by technology in sales, marketing, and customer interaction.

What is Smart Commerce?

In the simplest form, smart commerce is the application of technology to enhance the buying and selling processes to make them quicker, simpler, and more individual.

New technologies are always the key, and smart commerce is increasingly being adopted as the new standard.

Smart Commerce Nordic was the perfect place to see how these technologies are being implemented and what is waiting for us around the corner.

Smart Commerce Nordic 2025: Highlights

Smart Commerce Nordic is one of the biggest conferences in the region which provides a platform for retailers, eCommerce leaders, tech creators, and industry leaders to discuss the future of commerce.

It is about how technology is changing the way of buying and selling, including AI, 3D, automation, personalization, sustainability and omnichannel.

This year, the event comprised keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, which made it a not-to-miss event for the industry stakeholders.

Our CEO, Jarkko Leppälähti, engaged in a panel discussion with Veera Korvenkari, the Digital Strategist and Marketing Lead at Sokos, to discuss how AR, VR, and 3D are changing smart commerce and the future of customer engagement.

So, Jarkko, what was your impression of Smart Commerce Nordic 2025?

-Jarkko: “The event was really inspiring! You could really feel that many businesses here in the Nordics are excited about the future of commerce and how technologies such as AR are making an impact on how people shop online, or how businesses do commerce. People weren’t just talking about trends - they were sharing real experiences and strategies that are working. It felt less like a trade show and more like a brainstorming session with some of the smartest minds in e-commerce.”

Your panel discussion covered AR, VR, 3D and the future of customer interaction. What were some of the key points?

-Jarkko: “Well I’m not a fan of acronyms and a lot of people do not know what these terms mean so we first defined what are these. We discussed next how these technologies are used through examples and what kind of changes in eCommerce metrics we’ve seen: Upticks in conversion rates, Average Order Value, Customer Satisfaction, NPS and stronger loyalty all come from just customers engaging more and exploring the product details. 3D, in particular, is becoming a game-changer - it’s not just about visualising a product anymore, it’s about creating immersive experiences that make commerce more engaging and personalized. Virtual try-ons in many forms, interactive product configurators, and 3D showrooms are becoming must-haves for businesses that want to stay ahead.”

What trends do you think will shape the future of smart commerce?

-Jarkko: “People nowadays and in the future shop using their mobile phones. This means that they prefer a mobile-optimised website, voice searching, AI-based personalised recommendations, 360-degree visualisations in 3D and Augmented Reality (AR) . From our point of view, use of 3D becoming mainstream is a huge focus point for many brands as it also enables many advanced use cases like VR. More and more brands are offering personalised custom-made products to attract customers, but that comes with its own challenges - how do you let customers easily visualize their options? How do you make it simple for the sales team to sell products that can be customized in countless ways? That’s where 3D configuration plays a crucial role. Businesses that get this right will win big.”

What advice would you give to businesses looking to stay ahead?

-Jarkko: “First, don’t be afraid of change. The businesses that thrive are the ones willing to experiment, test new technologies, and adapt quickly. Second, invest in the right tools. Whether it’s 3D technology, AI, or automation, the right tools can help you work smarter and stay ahead of the competition. And most importantly, keep your focus on the customer. At the end of the day, technology is just a tool - the goal is always to create the best possible experience for your customers.”

For 2026, the event is expected to benefit commerce leaders through automation and personalization with AI, sustainable business models, and expanding cross-border, making it one of the most important events of the year. The focus broadens to include themes such as AI-Driven Commerce, Circular Commerce, and Commerce Without Borders. Check their website to learn more.

It's clear that the future of commerce is being shaped by exciting innovations. From AI to immersive tech like 3D, AR and VR, the possibilities are endless. We're thrilled to be a part of this journey and can't wait to see how these trends evolve!