Fashion from Walmart, anyone? The thought of shopping for anything besides bargain groceries and 50% off school supplies may make have made anyone cringe just last week. But now, with Walmart’s new partnership with Lord & Taylor, America’s favorite bargain retailer is no longer one to scoff at.
Following the trends of other mass-retail chains like Target, Forever 21, and H&M, Walmart is introducing an exclusive Lord & Taylor section under the fashion category of their website for a “premium” shopping experience. Online shoppers can now browse through 125 luxury brands, including Lucky Brand, H Halston, and Tommy Bahama. It will also include high-end beauty brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills and Laneige to rival those of Sephora. These brands will be separated from the previously existing lower-end Walmart brands, which are to be categorized under the label “Everyday Brands.”
In conjunction with their new lineup, the retailer has also redesigned their website–and it’s an upgrade by miles. Removing their signature blue from the header bar, the website now sports a clean, sleek, black and white design similar to that of Nordstrom. The re-haul was a much-needed aesthetic boost the site needed to make their new luxury fashion collaboration transition seamlessly into the rest of their merchandise.
The same free shipping over $35 policy applies to the premium items, which are planned to be added to the site within the next few weeks. With the newly updated website, shoppers can access luxury brands through a familiar retailer that recreates the experience of premium shopping for wealthier customers. It’s a partnership that’s likely to boost sales and interest for both parties: Walmart, whose customers have been long seeking out higher-end designs, and Lord & Taylor, who’s been struggling with declines in their e-commerce market.
Walmart, all we can say is we have underestimated you. Pat on the back for a job well done.
