Walmart Unveils Virtual Try-On Tool

Walmart has rolled out a virtual try-on tool that helps shoppers see how a shirt or another piece of clothing would look on their own bodies. It's the latest feature the company has added to its website, and it comes following the acquisition of Zeekit, a virtual fitting room startup. Walmart launched its first iteration of the tool in March, which allowed shoppers to choose a model that resembles their body type, skin tone and hair color. It later expanded from 50 to 120 models. The newest feature, “Be Your Own Model,” uses algorithms and machine learning technology to develop more accurate topographic maps. Shoppers can use it to virtually try on more than 270,000 items across Walmart’s private brands, select items from national brands, and some apparel sold on its third-party marketplace.

Total Retail's Take: Walmart has unveiled its virtual try-on tool at a time when shoppers are cutting back on clothing and other items purchased with disposable income as inflation drives up the prices of food, rent and more. Walmart believes that this technology will offer users "an unparalleled experience that makes it easier to shop for clothes online," according to  Denise Incandela, executive vice president, apparel and private brands, Walmart U.S., in a blog post. The value retailers hope to derive from the implementation of virtual try-on is increased conversion rates and decreased product return rates for users of the tool.