🎄 Holiday shopping goes virtual
Walmart is enhancing its digital shopping game this holiday season with updates to Walmart Realm. These include four new themed environments: a cozy mountain chalet, a festive holiday party, a white elephant gift exchange space, and a room featuring "the sweetest gifts." Inspired by social media trends from platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, these spaces aim to capture the excitement of the holidays. Influencers have been tapped to curate the virtual stores, ensuring the gifts align with trending interests. Walmart is looking to blend the festive spirit with interactive shopping.
📱 Tech features for smarter shopping
Walmart’s holiday virtual stores come packed with advanced tech. Shoppers can use AR tools to preview items in their space, making it easier to see how a gift might look or fit before purchase. The new Wish List feature lets users create and share personalized lists with friends and family. Product discovery has also been upgraded, making browsing a seamless and engaging experience. This innovation aligns with Walmart's goal of merging entertainment with retail, creating a fun and practical shopping journey.
🌐 Emperia’s influence on virtual retail
Emperia, Walmart's tech partner, has been instrumental in creating these immersive experiences. Known for collaborating with major retailers like Bloomingdale’s and Hugo Boss, Emperia brings expertise in virtual spaces that drive engagement. Walmart's initial foray into this realm came earlier this year with Your Dorm Your Way, a back-to-school virtual shop. These experiences encourage social interaction, allowing users to discuss and share ideas, enhancing the fun of online shopping. According to Emperia, this social strategy helps brands tap into viral moments and boost visibility.
🛍 Competition heats up in virtual shopping
Walmart isn't alone in embracing virtual stores. Competitors like Obsess are also innovating in this space. J. Crew, Benefit Cosmetics, and others have launched seasonal virtual shopping experiences. These moves reflect a broader industry trend toward blending technology with retail. By staying at the forefront with features like AR and curated gift selections, Walmart aims to set itself apart. As digital and physical shopping continue to merge, brands are vying for consumer attention through these dynamic, interactive platforms.
Will virtual shopping define holiday retail trends?
