By Anthony Soohoo, SVP and Group General Manager, Home, Walmart U.S. eCommerce
Ten months ago, Walmart unveiled a new digital shopping experience that provides customers a more seamless way to buy for their home. Since then, we’ve learned even more about how our customers want to shop, what inspires them, and the process they undergo to create a space they love.
A big factor in creating that space starts with the wall. When decorating, redecorating, or even just infusing some new life into a room – many times the best and lowest-priced place to start is by hanging a piece of art on the wall. In an effort to give our customers even more inspiration and choice, I’m thrilled to announce our plans to acquire the assets of Art.com.
Art.com is the world’s largest online retailer in the art and wall décor category, and the addition of its two million curated images – including a growing exclusive assortment – will create an even richer, deeper customer experience across our home category. Take Jenn for example:
Jenn recently bought a home with her husband and young son. Their new place increased their living space, with taller ceilings, and a hardware and color scheme that is way more modern than Jenn’s more traditional aesthetic. They’re on a budget but want to infuse some of their personality and warmth into the space before the holidays hit. Where does Jenn start? The walls.
Art.com’s wide-ranging assortment, from affordable and chic posters for your first apartment to limited edition prints and loft art pieces for your new home, helps customers like Jenn, make their house a home without breaking the bank. The wall also allows us to create even more personalized experiences for her in the future, as we now have a better understanding of design aesthetics, color preferences, complementary pieces – like rugs, furniture, etc. – and, even insight into the size of the space.
We plan to operate the assets of Art.com as a standalone and complementary site – and then add their wide-ranging assortment to Walmart.com, Jet.com, and Hayneedle.com. This announcement is just another example of how we’re establishing Walmart.com as a specialty retail destination for the home – giving customers the inspiration and confidence to make a beautiful home possible for everyone. I’m so excited to welcome Art.com as a part of that mission.
