LSN : News : Walmart levels up immersive commerce with gaming mini-series

Walmart levels up immersive commerce with gaming mini-series

Walmart Unlimited, US

US – Walmart is expanding its footprint in immersive commerce with the launch of Walmart Unlimited, a gamified mini-series developed in collaboration with video game engine Unity, interactive 3D gaming platform Spatial, animation studio Martian Blueberry and game developer Pigiama Kasama. The experience, available exclusively on Spatial, blends storytelling, gaming and seamless shopping.

The first episode introduces characters inspired by Walmart’s suppliers, including Ibraheem Basir, founder of A Dozen Cousins. Players help Basir prepare for his Brooklyn block party while engaging with Walmart’s entrepreneurial suppliers, reinforcing the retail giant’s push into interactive retail.

‘Alongside the storyline, players can seamlessly shop for featured products without ever leaving the platform,’ said Justin Breton, Walmart’s head of brand marketing innovation, in a LinkedIn post. Walmart Unlimited is part of Walmart’s broader gaming strategy, including previous activations on Roblox and Zepeto. Additional episodes are set to be launched in April and May. ‘It starts to become a full-funnel activation that’s leaning into gaming as the mechanism to drive that engagement, product discovery and conversion,’ Breton told Retail Brew.

For more insights on the secrets behind the retailer’s success, head to our Brand Innovation Debrief: Walmart report.

Strategic opportunity

Consider developing branded virtual items, stores and experiences in gaming platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Zepeto and Spatial to expand e-commerce opportunities and brand visibility

Nordstrom elevates luxury styling experience with star stylist Catherine Bloom

US – Luxury department store retailer Nordstrom has appointed Catherine Bloom as its first director of luxury styling. Bloom brings decades of experience from Neiman Marcus, where she operated the discreet yet highly influential Bloom’s Room styling space.

In a nod to her legacy, Nordstrom is transforming its Melrose Place store in Los Angeles into Catherine Bloom for Nordstrom, offering an exclusive, by-appointment styling experience. Bloom’s client roster spans C-suite executives, celebrities, athletes and royalty, positioning her as a pivotal asset in Nordstrom’s strategy to reinvigorate luxury retail. ‘Bringing Catherine to our team is like getting the Michael Jordan of personal styling,’ Pete Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom, said in a statement shared with Fortune.

With personal styling driving high-end sales, Bloom’s influence is expected to shape Nordstrom’s buying strategy, introduce emerging designers and create a level of personalisation that rivals digital shopping experiences.

In Premium Fashion’s Comeback, we explore how brands are elevating their offerings by making star hires – such as luxury designers or A-list stylists – to navigate an increasingly tough, oversaturated market.

Nordstrom, US

Strategic opportunity

Revitalise bricks-and-mortar retail by investing in luxury styling services. Create exclusive, appointment-only experiences that offer personalised curation, driving affluent consumers in-store for bespoke fashion advice they can’t get online

Stat: PC gaming dominates as developers prioritise the platform

Photography by Yan Krukov

Global – The PC gaming industry continues to thrive, with 80% of game developers actively working on PC titles, more than double the percentage of those developing for any other platform, according to the 2025 State of the Game Industry report from the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

After PC, PlayStation 5 ranked second at 38%, with Xbox Series X/S at 34%, Android at 29% and iOS at 28%. The rise in PC development is notable, jumping from just 56% in 2020 to its current dominance. This surge is probably fuelled by the growing popularity of hand-held PC gaming devices like the Steam Deck, with 44% of developers citing interest in the platform.

The report also highlighted industry-wide challenges, with 11% of developers experiencing lay-offs in 2024 despite the sector’s rapid growth. In addition, one-third of AAA developers revealed they are working on live service games, signalling an ongoing shift in game monetisation and engagement models.

As PC gaming continues to dominate, all eyes are on how the industry will adapt. For more emerging trends shaping the future of the video game industry, explore our Gaming topic.

Strategic opportunity

With PlayStation and Xbox adoption lower than PC, consider making games and services cross-platform by default. This includes seamless cloud saves, unified game libraries and cross-progression to ensure players stay engaged across devices