Walmart has decided to expand the use of augmented and virtual reality technologies, spreading this offer on eyewear.
The mentioned decision of one of the world’s largest retailers became known last Tuesday, January 30. This is the right step for the company from the point of view of commercial prospects and in the context of interaction with the consumer audience. Currently, many buyers are showing a high level of interest in using virtual reality technologies. Such solutions allow you to get better acquainted with the characteristics of the product before deciding on its purchase.
Walmart is already using augmented and virtual reality to help customers gain a better understanding of how products in categories such as beauty, fashion, and household items coexist with other elements of the space of objective being. This feature provides within the framework of what can be described as digital modeling with the maximum level of realism.
Walmart is expanding the use of virtual and augmented reality technologies. The company has announced its intention to offer appropriate solutions to buyers of eyewear. Starting in February, the Optical Virtual Try-On tool will allow the retailer’s customers to virtually try on frames and buy prescription eyewear online via the Walmart app or on the firm’s website.
Tom Ward, director of e-commerce at Walmart in the United States, said the company is committed to providing consumers with a shopping experience that exceeds expectations. Separately, he noted that in this case, it means a simple, engaging, and personalized user experience.
Tom Ward stated that the company offers customers another dimension of choice by meeting them exactly where they are while shopping.
Over the past year, the e-commerce giant has made several changes to its vision solutions. As part of these actions, the company expanded the range of frames and revamped vision centers, intending to increase their number to 3,000 throughout the United States by the end of 2024.
Walmart acquired the Zeekit dynamic virtual fitting room platform in 2021. A year later, the e-commerce giant launched a virtual tool called Choose My Model, with which people can see what wear looks like on models looked like them.
Also in 2022, Walmart launched an offer called Be Your Own Model. This is a more advanced and improved version of the mentioned virtual instrument.
Other retailers are also currently making efforts to introduce digital reality technologies into their functional spaces. For example, the brand of shoes and accessories Manolo Blahnik has created a virtual room that spotlights the elements of the shoe manufacturing process and provides insight into the creative path of the founder of the company.
Apparel retailer J. Crew has introduced an immersive shopping experience in collaboration with the Obsess e-commerce platform. In this case, 3D virtual stores were launched, which customers can access from their smartphones or laptops. Against this background, cybersecurity issues should be addressed. The increased application of smartphones and laptops is perceived by criminals as a new or additional space of opportunity. A simple query on an Internet search platform, such as how to know if my camera is hacked, allows users to get information that will help them record unauthorized access to their device.
The concept of virtual try-on is not new. However, Walmart claims that its offering brings technology to a new level due to 3D data and advanced algorithms that can create a digital twin of eyewear frames. These solutions provide a more realistic virtual try-on experience.
Currently, retailers are interested in combining the experience of standard and e-commerce. The relevant idea is approved by the consumer community. In the United States, about 30% of purchasers of goods want virtual reality to recreate the shopping experience in the real world.
As we have reported earlier, Walmart Upgrades Self-Checkout With BNPL from Affirm.
