Walmart is expanding its support for virtual try-on technology that allows online shoppers to better visualize clothing on models that look like themselves. Walmart.com customers used to be able to choose from dozens of different models in order to see how clothing would look on their own body and with their own skin tone. The new technology called "Be Your Own Model" lets shoppers use their own photos to see how clothes look on them, instead of choosing one of the existing models.
Walmart acquired the startup ZeeKit in 2021. The feature is able to analyze catalog images of garments to create a dressed image. Neural networks can be used to determine the different variations of a product, like fabric drape or sleeve length.
Walmart says that the result is more realistic than some other experiences. Walmart's Cheryl Ainoa says that this makes it feel different from other tech.
A lot of the augmented reality experiences are similar to laying a flat image on top of a flat image. It doesn't allow you to see what this article of clothing is going to look like on me.
Walmart's virtual try-on options ranged in height between 5'2′′ and 6'0′′ and ranged in size from X to XXXL. More than 270,000 items are now available on both national brands and Walmart's portfolio of brands. The feature is supported by a small number of items on the Walmart marketplace. It has grown from 50 to over 100.
Customers don't have to choose from the available models anymore.
Users of Walmart's mobile app will be able to use their own photos to create a more personalized shopping experience. The Walmart app and web will be the first places where this option will be available.
The image was taken at Walmart.
Customers will need to take a photo with the Walmart app in order to import their own image into the system. They can try on clothing items and see how they look. The photo can be deleted at any time if the customer is signed in.
The company believes that this technology will go a long way to increase conversions and reduce returns.
The initial "Choose My Model" feature has been a success according to Walmart's Executive Vice President of Apparel Division and Private brands.
The image was taken at Walmart.
She says that they expanded beyond the 50 models to the 120 because of the insights that came from the 'Choose My Model' feature. We saw what we wanted to see in terms of improved conversion.
Specific metrics on conversion increases and impact on returns were not shared by Walmart.
The retailer knows that not everyone will want to be a fashion model, so it will continue to support the "Choose My Model" feature. The company wants more customers to use their own image to help them shop, whether that is online or in-store.
The earlier feature has helped drive conversions and the retailer thinks it will continue to do so.
Customers will be able to see themselves for the first time They will see themselves in the product detail page. Incandela said that he was excited to acquire the ZeeKit product because of the lack of Gamification in the past.
Walmart wants to expand the technology to men's and children's apparel and accessories as well as introduce more brand integrations.
The soft launch of "Be Your Own Model" was on the Walmart app, but it will be rolled out more broadly.
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