Recognizing the immense potential of the Metaverse – not just as a new way to meet and interact with customers but also as an opportunity to explore a new form of commerce (virtual commerce) where customers can shop for items in both the virtual and real worlds, Walmart is planning to delve deeper into this field.
The corporation stated that they are actively seeking opportunities in the Metaverse to connect commerce with their stores and vice versa. For instance, through the House Flip game, customers can purchase similar products for their real-world and virtual homes. Customers can also buy virtual fashion items based on Walmart’s Scoop fashion brand within Zepeto, a virtual world that allows players to create and customize their virtual characters.
“Walmart’s goal is to drive commerce in the virtual world, for every customer,” said Thomas Kang, Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of The Cultureverse, Walmart’s innovation arm.
Notably, Walmart, the world’s largest retail corporation, recently announced a partnership with web3 creative studio POCLabs to launch “The Cultureverse” Metaverse platform, celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop culture. “The Cultureverse” will be built on Walmart’s Black&Unlimited platform and feature over 25 creators and artists.
Currently, users can explore the Art of Sound exhibition, showcasing digital stories about artists and hip-hop art, join the main stage sponsored by Walmart to listen to influential hip-hop speeches and songs of all time, visit the Black & Unlimited art gallery, and immerse themselves in the history of hip-hop fashion at the Sound of Style exhibit.
“The Cultureverse” represents Walmart’s latest breakthrough in the emerging Metaverse. Previously, in September 2022, the retail giant launched “Walmart Land” and “Universe of Play” on the digital world-creation platform Roblox. In November 2022, Walmart entered into an agreement with Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media to develop digital programming for the Black community.