As technology advances and retail grows more competitive, the shopping experience is changing.

Here are five ways technology could make your shopping experience quicker and easier:

1. Shipping options

Anticipating a 15 percent increase in online orders this year, several retailers have updated shipping standards for the season, including Target’s free two-day shipping on any orders regardless of price. Target is among many retailers picking up advance shipping services, a deal made famous when Amazon began offering it for Prime members.

» PHOTOS: Luxury Kettering home on market for nearly $1M

2. Virtual reality for shopping

Kettering-based Marxent has developed virtual reality to help Macy’s customers visualize furniture within their homes. Beck Besecker, Founder and CEO of Marxent, said a growing number of apps are also allowing shoppers to visualize products without ever having to step out the door.

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