Walmart is expanding its range of virtual testing services for customers with today’s news that it intends to buy Memomi, an AR optical technology company and current Walmart partner offering a virtual spectacle testing experience. The terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Memomi has enabled digital measurements for all Walmart and Sam’s Club customers since 2019, the retailer said.
This partnership included more than 2,800 Walmart Vision centers and 550 Sam’s Clubs. The technology also allows for an optical e-commerce experience at SamsClub.com.
Although the Memomi website states how its technology can be used in a variety of non-optical product categories – including beauty, fashion, accessories, footwear and more – Walmart declined to talk about its future service plans in these areas. Instead, the retailer told us that it focuses only on exploiting Memomi’s capabilities in a virtual optical test.
However, Walmart is investing in a number of new technologies in the virtual experiment space, including the recent introduction of a virtual clothing testing feature powered by artificial intelligence, powered by the acquisition of Zeekit. Last week, it also unveiled the AR feature, which allows users to see furniture and other home decoration items in their space.
By adding Memomija, the retailer says there has been interest in both the technology and the team. Salvador co-founders Nissi Vilcovsky and Ofer Saban will join Walmart, as will other team members, when the deal is officially concluded in the coming weeks after regulatory approval. Although the new official titles of the founders are not yet available, the Memomi team will join the Walmart Global Tech team, we were told.
Walmart described the deal as a “next step” in offering customized and affordable access to optical care online, indicating that the company intends to further take over competitors such as 1-800 Contacts and online brands such as Warby Parker. If he brings his technology partner into the house, he can also work more closely with the team on future development and integrations, although they remain limited to online optics.
“Customers are looking for access to care digitally, in their own homes, and buying glasses is no different,” said David Reitnauer, vice president of specialist services at Walmart Health & Wellness. “This acquisition supports our Health & Wellness mission to provide affordable care
the communities we serve. “
“We welcome the Memomi team at Walmart and add their capabilities to our flagship virtual reality technology that transforms the retail experience for our customers and members,” added Cheryl Ainoa, Senior Vice President, New Business and New Technology, Walmart. Global Tech.