US retailer Walmart has said it will acquire Tel Aviv-Israel based virtual fitting room startup Zeekit.
Zeekit was founded in 2013 and had raised $16mn in venture funding to date, having previously worked with the likes of Macy’s, Asos and Adidas – as well as prior collaborations with Walmart.
AI and AR Applications
Zeekit’s technology relies on a mix of image processing, computer vision, deep learning and AI to accurately simulate how clothing will look on a customer.
Rather than simply combining pictures of clothing and a customer, Zeekit says its solution maps the images of clothing and an individual into segments, with equivalent points the remapped into a final simulation that takes into account factors such as body dimensions, fit, size and garment fabric.
Denise Incandela, EVP of Apparel and Private Brands, Walmart US, said: “Given its scalability, we believe Zeekit’s technology can also be used to create other fashion experiences, including the ability to build the world’s largest virtual closet and mix and match clothing seamlessly. These exciting technologies add a social element to the digital experience, allowing our customers to bring their unique personalities and preferences to shopping.”
Walmart did not disclose terms of the deal, other than saying that CEO Yael Vizel, chief technology officer Alon Kristal, and Nir Appleboim, vice president of research and development, would also be joining Walmart.
“Virtual try-on is a game-changer and solves what has historically been one of the most difficult things to replicate online: understanding fit and how an item will actually look on you,” said Incandela. “Zeekit will help us deliver an inclusive, immersive and personalized experience for our diverse customer base.”
Making Clothing Digital
Following the purchase, Walmart said customers would soon be able to use Zeekit’s technology to virtually try on items from brands such as Free People, Champion, Levi Strauss, ELOQUII Elements, Free Assembly, Scoop and Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara, as well as Walmart brands such as Time and Tru, Terra & Sky, Wonder Nation and George.
“When the experience is live on Walmart.com, customers will simply upload their picture or choose from a series of models that best represent their height, shape and skin tone to instantly see themselves in any item of clothing, mimicking the experience of trying on clothes in a store. They can even share their virtual outfits with friends for a second opinion. This brings an inclusive and social experience to digital shopping,” said Incandela.
