Walmart announced the new AI-enabled feature that gives shoppers the ability to choose a person that matches them in height, skin tone, and body shape. The retail giant will be rolling out the feature to more brands and products in the coming months. Future features will also include the ability for customers to upload their own photos and try outfits virtually.
For now, shoppers will be prompted to select a model(up to 50 different models at launch) on the product pages where the option is available.
The available models range in height from 5'2 to 6'0 and sizes from XS to XXXL.
The feature is currently available on the following brands:
- Free Assembly
- Scoop,
- Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara ELOQUII Elements
- Time and Tru
- Athletic Works
- Terra & Sky
- No Boundaries
- Avia
- The Pioneer Woman
Click here to view a working example on the Walmart site
Wallmart believes seeing clothing on a model that matches the customer will boost conversion rates and make the buying decision easier. It might also have the added benefit of reducing returns which is a significant profit killer on the scale of Walmart.
“Everything comes back to providing the customer with the confidence to make that purchase,” Denise Incandela, executive VP of apparel.
The recently acquired Zeekit enables the new 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.” Click here for the full press release
Choose My Model is powered by the company's power neural network that analyzes the image of garment and creates a dressed image using vision algorithms.
Walmart looking to grow online sales aggressively
Walmart enjoyed a staggering 70% increase in online sales in 2021, compared to 2020. The retail stores still made up the bulk of its revenue, but they are aggressively growing their online business, successfully unseating Amazon as the top apparel retailer in the US in 2020.
The Choose My Model feature is only one of the latest moves by the retail giant to sustain its momentum and expand this online growth. It is also looking to boost sign-ups to its Walmart+ subscription service with sales events only available to members. The Bentonville-based retail giant has a long way to go with regard to membership numbers, with 11 million compared to the 200 million Amazon Prime members.
Walmart's omnichannel model gives them an advantage over the competition, allowing for in-store pickups across their vast network of physical stores.
