Walmart has filed for several digital trademarks and patents for the metaverse to keep up with competitors in the virtual landscape.
Jan. 17, 2022
Could we see a future where we stick on a headset to get our shopping delivered? It sounds like it with Walmart’s (NYSE: WMT) metaverse plans.
The big-box retailer is refusing to be left behind. Following in the footsteps of major brands such as Nike, Gap, Under Armour, and Adidas, Walmart has filed for several trademarks and patents for the digital world.
The Walmart-Verse?
The patents include all types of digitalized products, from home decor to musical instruments, to pet products, even furniture. Whether a purchase will actually translate to a physical product is anyone’s guess right now. Even a virtual currency and NFTs are on the cards according to the company, if that’s how things play out.
Walmart Connect, Verse to Store, Verse to Curb, and Verse to Home were among some of the trademarks applications filed. This gives the sense that customers may be able to switch on their headset and order up their entire shopping from there, or even wander around a virtual Walmart picking everything up.
You’re probably wondering why someone like Walmart even needs to consider these things — many of us are still trying to wrap our heads around the point of it all — including myself. But in actual fact, it points towards the retailer’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Amazon got a leg up on them before when it wasn’t being taken seriously, so you can be sure Walmart doesn’t want history to repeat itself.
It’s really just a layer of protection for the retail giant to safeguard its brand. Not that Walmart’s empire could crumble overnight, but it’s preparing for all outcomes. The company noting that it’s “testing new ideas all the time” and “continuously exploring how emerging technologies may shape future shopping experiences” might just give investors an extra layer of assurance to make sure it isn’t left behind.