Following its acquisition last year of Zeekit, creator of a virtual fitting room platform, Walmart is rolling out the venture’s tech, starting with a Choose My Model feature, to users of the retailer’s app and website.
Its customers are able to select from 50 models at launch, based on their height, body shape and skin tone, to have a better sense of how clothing will look on them.
“One of the most frustrating aspects of shopping for clothes online is understanding how an item will actually look on you,” says Denise Incandela, EVP of Apparel and Private Brands, Walmart US.
“With Zeekit, our goal is to deliver an inclusive, immersive and personalised digital experience that will better replicate physical shopping.”
She adds: “With the Choose My Model experience, customers can determine the model who best represents their height, body shape and skin tone to understand how an item will look on them.”
“And we will continue to expand our model selection, with nearly 70 additional model options launching in the weeks ahead to offer an even wider range of sizes, skin tones and hair colours.”
Choose My Model is now available on select items across Walmart’s portfolio.
It is also adding national brands, starting with Levi’s and Hanes, and will expand to new national brands in the coming months on Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace.
If an item is part of the Zeekit experience, customers will see the prompt to select a model on the item page.
“We have already seen a strong customer response to our Choose My Model experience,” says Incandela.
“The extraordinary, positive customer feedback out of the gate underscores our opportunity and ability to solve a common online shopping problem and build a true, personal connection between Walmart and our customers.”
The retailer is also working to launch a virtual try-on experience for women’s apparel.
Incandela concludes: “With Zeekit’s visionary team, powered by the Walmart Global Technology platform in partnership with our Fashion Merchandising and eCommerce Site Merchandising organisation, we have the incredible opportunity to revolutionise how our customers shop for clothes online,”
