Virtual worlds have become more sophisticated and realistic as new technological developments enter into wider use. The increased access to bandwidth and processing power has allowed more lifelike environments for people to act out their fantasies or even pursue more serious goals. These "virtual worlds" have become big business. As you can see in the image on this page, American Apparel has established a retail presence in the virtual world of "Second Life."
They are not the only business to venture into the virtual world to expand or establish their brand image. Toyota/Scion and other companies have also opened up virtual shops in an effort to expand their reach beyond traditional means. Their belief is that to get an edge in the business world that you must move into the digital one. While there is not yet conclusive proof as to how this may affect users of the virtual world programs, it poses an interesting trend to watch out for in the future.