Firework Announces Strategic Partnership with Walmart Connect to Test Livestream and Immersive Shoppable Video Experiences for Retail

Rhea-AI Summary

On September 20, 2022, Firework announced its partnership with Walmart Connect to integrate livestream and shoppable video content into Walmart's digital platforms. This collaboration aims to enhance the customer shopping experience by providing engaging, short-form videos that facilitate product discovery and purchases. The initiative supports Walmart's Mega Beauty Event held from September 13-16, featuring brands like J&J, L'Oreal, P&G, and Unilever. This move comes as e-commerce sales in the U.S. are projected to exceed $1 trillion, indicating a shift towards video-centric commerce.

Positive

• Partnership with Firework enhances Walmart's digital experience through shoppable video content.
• Supports Walmart's Mega Beauty Event, increasing engagement and potentially driving sales.
• Aims to meet growing demand for video commerce as U.S. e-commerce sales approach $1 trillion.

Negative

• None.

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Firework, a leading video e-commerce solution, announced today that it has signed a partnership agreement with Walmart Connect, a closed loop omnichannel media business of Walmart (NYSE: WMT), to bring livestream and premium shoppable video content to Walmart's experience.

By partnering with Firework, Walmart Connect aims to bring shoppable, short-form, social-media-style videos to its own digital properties while also making them available to advertisers, creating a premium video commerce experience. By bringing product discovery and final transactions together under a single immersive experience, Walmart Connect is supporting the entire customer continuum. 

"Video and livestream commerce truly works when you put the customer at the center of the experience—and that's what we're doing here," said Rich Lehrfeld, Walmart Connect's SVP and GM. "Our partnership with Firework further underscores how Walmart Connect is committed to evolving our business and expanding our offerings to actively stay ahead of what advertisers need. We're proud to be able to serve Walmart customers with engaging experiences in the places they already love to shop."

Firework partnered with Walmart Connect to launch a live shopping experience in support of Walmart's Mega Beauty Event with partners J&J, L'Oreal, P&G and Unilever. The event included four livestreams that took place from September 13th through 16th and leveraged replays and shoppable videos for featured products.

Walmart Connect is a retail media platform that connects advertisers with Walmart customers regardless of where they are in the shopping journey, whether that be onsite, offsite or in-store, with clear visibility into campaign performance on in-store and online sales. By combining Firework's rich live and short-form video experience—as well as its capacity for organic community growth outside of social networks—with Walmart Connect's closed loop systems offering holistic customer views, the partnership will create an end-to-end experiential and insight-rich environment from discovery to purchase. 

The move comes amid seismic changes in the retail industry, as exploding US e-commerce sales are expected to break the $1 trillion mark for the first time. Consumers who turned to online shopping during the pandemic have remained there, and live shopping trends that have taken Asian markets by storm are picking up steam in the states as consumers increasingly turn to short-form video to discover and research products in their omnichannel journey. 

"Walmart Connect has created an omnichannel ecosystem based on customer centricity and we couldn't be more excited to partner with them to power livestream and premium shoppable video experiences on their site," said Firework Chief Business Office Jason Holland. "We'll not only make shoppable and livestream video more deeply embedded in their omnichannel approach, we'll also provide a commerce media experience for their customers in-store and across the web."

Walmart Connect aims to launch the program in September 2022. For more information, visit https://www.walmartshoplive.com/walmart-live-mega-beauty-event.  

About Firework

Firework is the world's leading video commerce solution built for brands and retailers. Leveraging shoppable video, livestreaming commerce and powerful monetization capabilities, Firework empowers the world's most dynamic and exciting retailers, consumer brands, and publishers to build engaging video experiences on their owned and operated digital properties and across channels at a global scale. Firework enables organizations to bring new levels of authenticity and connection to online video experiences, speaking to digital natives in the language they understand fully—and taking control of their own customer data. The company has raised over $235  million in capital to date. To learn more, please visit firework.com.

Media Contact:
Anya Nelson Scratch Marketing + Media for Firework
anyan@scratchmm.com 

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SOURCE Firework

FAQ

What is the partnership between Firework and Walmart Connect about?

The partnership focuses on integrating livestream and shoppable video content into Walmart's digital platforms.

When did Walmart's Mega Beauty Event take place?

Walmart's Mega Beauty Event occurred from September 13 to September 16, 2022.

How does this partnership affect Walmart's business strategy?

It aims to enhance customer engagement through video content and leverage the growing trend of video commerce.

What are the expected benefits of the Firework partnership for Walmart?

The partnership is expected to improve product discovery and drive sales through immersive shopping experiences.

What are the implications of increasing e-commerce sales for Walmart?

As e-commerce sales are projected to exceed $1 trillion, Walmart aims to capture a larger market share by enhancing its digital offerings.