The David Sobey Retailing Centre at Saint Mary’s University has partnered with Halifax’s Rousseau Chocolatier to launch a groundbreaking digital twin of the chocolatier’s boutique and café. The innovative initiative transforms the online shopping experience, enabling customers to virtually explore Rousseau Chocolatier’s beautifully designed space while browsing and purchasing artisanal chocolates. The collaboration highlights how digital innovation can enhance customer engagement and expand the reach of small businesses.
Enhancing the Online Experience with a Digital Twin
Known for its handcrafted chocolates and elegant boutique in Halifax, Rousseau Chocolatier saw an opportunity to elevate its online presence. The digital twin, developed with advanced scanning technology, provides an immersive and detailed virtual replica of the boutique, allowing customers to navigate through the space and view products as if they were there in person.
“Our customers have embraced a fresh, immersive online experience thanks to the introduction of the digital twin,” said Nathalie Morin, Co-Founder of Rousseau Chocolatier. “This technology mirrors the elegance and personal touch of our physical store, allowing shoppers to explore products in detail and easily create custom orders.”
The idea originated from Morin’s experience with the retail innovation program at Saint Mary’s University, where she encountered a demonstration of digital twin technology. “When I saw that, I was like, that is so cool, I love that idea, and I just looked at it and said, let’s do it,” she recalled. The process of creating the digital twin involved using a Matterport camera to scan the boutique, with the entire process completed in about 20 minutes.
Blending Tradition with Innovation
The virtual replica offers a unique way to showcase the shop’s sophisticated interior, designed by a Montreal-based interior designer with over 25 years of experience. “People, when they come in, are often surprised to see this level of shop design in Halifax,” Morin noted. “It’s a bright, 18th-century-inspired space with lots of windows facing a park. Being able to recreate that atmosphere online lets people relive their visit or experience it for the first time from anywhere.”
The digital twin also serves as a key element in the chocolatier’s growth strategy, particularly as their reach has expanded across Canada and into the U.S. “We’ve grown exponentially over the last four years, including partnerships with luxury hotels like the Ritz Carlton in Toronto and the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver,” said Morin. “The digital twin gives our nationwide customers a chance to connect with our brand even if they can’t visit in person.”
Creating New Opportunities for Customer Engagement
The collaboration has opened up new possibilities for Rousseau Chocolatier to engage customers in creative ways. Future plans for the digital twin include virtual tours of their production kitchen, customizable chocolate boxes, and highlighting locally sourced ingredients. “We take pride in using the best local and Canadian ingredients,” Morin explained. “Showcasing our ingredients through the digital twin would be another way to connect with our customers and tell our story.”
Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre, emphasized that digital twins have broad applications for the retail industry. “Digital twins offer many possibilities for retailers looking to innovate. Embedding a digital twin on a website can provide customers with a more engaging and immersive online shopping experience—one that can even be explored through a virtual reality headset,” he said. “Beyond enhancing customer engagement, retailers can use digital twins for employee training, optimizing operations, and managing store layouts and space planning.”
A Seamless Blend of Physical and Digital Experiences
The creation of the digital twin using a Matterport camera underscores the accessibility and efficiency of this technology. Venkat pointed out that digital twins can enhance operational efficiency and improve accessibility for customers who may face challenges visiting physical stores. “For elderly or mobility-impaired customers, this technology offers a way to explore a store’s ambiance and products from the comfort of home,” he said.
Morin shared positive early feedback from customers, noting that many enjoy the immersive experience of exploring the boutique virtually. “The concept of being able to shop at Rousseau’s without setting foot in Rousseau’s is fun for our customers,” she said. “It’s still early days, but we’re excited to see where it can lead.”
Expanding the Possibilities of Retail Technology
Dr. Venkat highlighted the versatility of digital twin technology, which can extend beyond e-commerce into employee training, space planning, and store layout optimization. “For a larger retailer, this technology could revolutionize how they train employees and design spaces without disrupting store operations,” he explained. Venkat also noted that digital twins have proven successful in attracting tourist traffic and supporting customers with specific needs.
Rousseau Chocolatier is already exploring ways to maximize the potential of their digital twin. “We’re happy to be pioneers in this space, and we’re eager to see how far we can go,” said Morin. “It allows us to bring an experience-based element to shopping, which is what customers are seeking more and more.”
The Road Ahead for Digital Innovation in Retail
Looking forward, the David Sobey Retailing Centre plans to continue driving retail innovation, including launching a frictionless store and exploring computer vision-based self-checkout systems. Venkat underscored the Centre’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and industry practices, ensuring Canadian retailers remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
For Rousseau Chocolatier, the digital twin initiative is just one step in a journey of thoughtful growth and innovation. As Morin expressed, “Adopting advanced technology isn’t just a priority—it’s essential for growth and success. We’re excited to see where this journey takes us.”
