Walmart unveils virtual fitting rooms
Walmart is offering customers a “real life”-type clothes try-on experience — virtually.
The discount giant is rolling out the Zeekit virtual fitting room solution to select users of the Walmart app and Walmart.com. Walmart purchased Zeekit, a female-founded, Israeli-based virtual fitting room start-up whose retail clients include Asos, in May 2021 for undisclosed terms. The Zeekit platform uses augmented reality to allow shoppers to virtually try on clothes.
Zeekit leverages real-time image processing to map a person’s image into thousands of segments. Clothing is processed in a similar manner and the equivalent points of the two are mapped into one final simulation. To use Zeekit, the customers uploads their picture or choose from a series of models that best represent their height, shape and skin tone to instantly see themselves in any item of clothing. Customers can also share their virtual outfits with friends for a second opinion, enabling a social shopping experience.
Walmart is starting its Zeekit implementation with the “Choose My Model” experience. This feature currently offers customers the ability to select from 50 models between 5’2” – 6’0” in height and sizes XS – XXXL. Customers can determine the model who best represents their height, body shape and skin tone to understand how an item will look on them. If an item is part of the Zeekit experience, customers will see the prompt to select a model on the item page.
The retailer says it will continue to expand its model selection, with nearly 70 additional model options scheduled to launch in the weeks ahead to offer a wider range of sizes, skin tones, and hair colors.
Choose My Model is now available on select items across Walmart’s portfolio of exclusive brands and private brands, including Free Assembly, Scoop, Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara, Eloquii Elements, Time and Tru, Athletic Works, Terra & Sky, No Boundaries, Avia, and The Pioneer Woman.
The company will also add national brands, starting with Levi’s and Hanes, and plans to continue to expand to new national brands in the coming months on both the Walmart e-commerce site and its third-party online marketplace. According to Walmart, it has already seen a strong customer response to the Choose My Model feature.
“With Zeekit’s visionary team, powered by the Walmart global technology platform in partnership with our fashion merchandising and e-commerce site merchandising organization, we have the incredible opportunity to revolutionize how our customers shop for clothes online,” said Denise Incandela, executive VP of apparel and private brands, Walmart U.S., in a corporate blog post. “One of the most frustrating aspects of shopping for clothes online is understanding how an item will actually look on you. With Zeekit, our goal is to deliver an inclusive, immersive and personalized digital experience that will better replicate physical shopping. 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.”