Walmart is expanding its range of virtual try-on services for shoppers with news today that it plans to acquire Memomi, an AR optics technology company and current Walmart partner that offers a glasses-based virtual try-on experience. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Memomi has offered digital-based measurement technology to all Walmart and Sam’s Club shoppers since 2019.
This partnership had spanned more than 2,800 Walmart Vision Centers and 550 Sam’s Club stores. The technology also powers the optical e-commerce experience on SamsClub.com.
While Memomi’s website says its technology can be used for product categories beyond optics – including beauty, fashion, accessories, footwear and more – Walmart declined to talk about the service’s future plans in those areas. Instead, the retailer told us that it is focused solely on leveraging Memomi’s capabilities in virtual optical try-ons.
However, Walmart has been investing in a number of new technologies in the virtual try-on space, including a recently launched artificial intelligence-powered virtual clothing fitting feature powered by its Zeekit acquisition. Last week, it also launched an AR feature that lets users see furniture and other home décor items appear in their own spaces.
With the addition of Memomi, the retailer said they are interested in both the technology and the team. Co-founders Salvador Nissi Vilcovsky and Ofer Saban will thus join Walmart, as will the rest of the team when the deal is approved by regulators and officially finalized in the coming weeks. While the founders’ new official titles have not yet been announced, we are told that the Memomi team will join Walmart’s global technology team.
Walmart describes the deal as the “next step” in providing personalized and affordable optical care online, suggesting that the company is aiming to take on competitors like 1-800 Contacts and online brands like Warby Parker further with the acquisition. By bringing its technology partners in-house, it can also work more closely with the team on future development and integration, even if those remain limited to online optical technology solutions.
Customers are looking for digital access to care at home, and buying eyewear is no exception,” said David Reitnauer, vice president of professional services for Walmart Health & Wellness, in a statement. This acquisition supports our Health & Wellness mission to provide convenient access to care for the communities we serve. The communities we serve provide accessible care.”
“We are excited to welcome the Memomi team to Walmart and add their capabilities to our leading virtual reality technology that is transforming the retail experience for our customers and members,” added Cheryl Ainoa, senior vice president, New Business and Emerging Technologies, Walmart Global Technology.
