Nathalie Morin, Co-Founder, Rousseau Chocolatier, welcoming visitors in the digital twin store.

The David Sobey Retailing Centre at Saint Mary’s University recently partnered with Halifax-based small business Rousseau Chocolatier to enhance their online presence and elevate the shopping experience for their customers. As a local French confectionery, Rousseau Chocolatier is well-known for its artisanal chocolates, elegant boutique, and café in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In response to growing consumer demand for seamless online and offline shopping experiences, they sought innovative ways to engage customers digitally.

The Centre worked closely with Rousseau Chocolatier to develop a cutting-edge digital twin of their boutique and café. A digital twin is a highly detailed 3D virtual replica of a physical space, created using advanced scanning technology. This collaboration allowed Rousseau Chocolatier to offer a more interactive and immersive online shopping experience, bringing the charm and sophistication of their beautifully designed boutique directly to customers’ screens. “Our customers have embraced a fresh, immersive online experience thanks to the introduction of the digital twin. This technology mirrors the elegance and personal touch of our physical store, allowing shoppers to explore products in detail and easily create custom orders. This has boosted engagement and deepened brand loyalty,” says Nathalie Morin, Co-Founder of Rousseau Chocolatier.

Through the digital twin, online visitors can now explore the boutique’s interior, browse displays, and even shop directly from the virtual store—bridging the gap between the in-store experience and online shopping. Not only does this provide a captivating way to showcase Rousseau’s chocolates, but it also enhances customer engagement, encouraging them to stay longer and explore the space as they would in person.

View of shoppable products within the virtual store

For Rousseau Chocolatier, the digital twin offers more than just a unique customer experience; it also provides a valuable resource for remotely visualizing and managing the layout of their store. By partnering with the David Sobey Retailing Centre, the local chocolatier has been able to stay ahead of retail trends, further solidifying their position as a leader in Halifax’s specialty food market. “Partnering with the David Sobey Retailing Centre was crucial in making this vision a reality. Their expertise helped us navigate the challenges of digital transformation, ensuring we stayed competitive while delivering a seamless and luxurious experience to our clients,” says Morin.

Dollhouse view of Rousseau Chocolatier’s store

This collaboration highlights how innovative technologies can empower small businesses to thrive in a digital-first retail landscape. “For small businesses like ours, adopting advanced technology isn't just a priority—it's essential. It keeps us ahead of market trends, offers something unique to our customers, and lays the foundation for future growth and success in an increasingly digital world,” says Morin.

“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. Beyond enhancing customer engagement, retailers can use digital twins for employee training, optimizing operations, and managing store layouts and space planning, helping to streamline operations and improve store performance,” says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre.

To learn more about how the David Sobey Retailing Centre is shaping the future of retail, visit us at www.davidsobeycentre.ca or contact us at davidsobeycentre@smu.ca.