After the huge brands (one by one and in scope) foray into the metaverse, the retail giant Walmart is likely to announce the next massive digital breakthrough. Such a conclusion can be drawn based on several new trademarks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on December 30. Thus, it's known that the big-box retailer intends to expand its range with VR products, including electronics, personal & care goods, toys, home decor, and sporting supplies. Moreover, Walmart stated its intentions to offer virtual currency and non-fungible tokens to its clients.
Influential information sources like CNBC and Bloomberg were among the first to hint at Walmart's going crypto. Thus, according to CNBC, Walmart is “continuously exploring how emerging technologies may shape future shopping experiences.” Moreover, the news agency added these lines concerning Walmart's statements: “We are testing new ideas all the time. Some ideas become products or services that make it to customers. And some we test, iterate, and learn from.”
Bloomberg, in its turn, reported that Walmart applies for “Verse to Store,” “Verse to Curb” and “Verse to Home,” which can signal nothing but the retail giant's intentions to create a VR and AR shopping platform in the metaverse. Those who are non-indifferent to Walmart's possible digital transformation can see everything themselves by typing "Walmart" on the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS).
The latest events might have gone unnoticed if the brand hadn't announced the vacancy for a "digital currency and crypto product lead” back in August 2021. And a couple of months ago, last October 2021, Walmart teamed up with crypto ATM company Coinstar and crypto-cash exchange Coinme to install Bitcoin ATMs in its US stores.
Ain't all these moves and statements are direct evidence of the giant's being on the verge of integration into the metaverse? 2022 will show!
Meanwhile, tech titan Samsung has already transformed its business, making it metaverse-friendly. When such a massive influencer like Walmart joins the movement, it only speeds up the global digitalization among the smaller counterparts. What do you think?
