Walmart Labs, the social and mobile lab created by the retail giant, has picked up mobile development agency Small Society. The small Portland, Ore. team will be incorporated into Walmart Labs, which has a Portland office and previously acquired Set Direction last year.
Walmart Labs is trying to evolve with the changing face of commerce as shoppers look to mobile and social channels to help augment the way they buy. The Labs, created out of the acquisition of Kosmix, has been on a buying spree of sorts, buying up Grabble in November and OneRiot in September.
Paul Cousineau, VP of mobile products for Walmart, said the company bought Small Society for its laser focus on products and its commitment to consumers. Small Society impressed Cousineau with its Zipcar app and has also worked on apps for Starbucks and the Democratic National Convention. And now they will take their creations to Walmart’s big audience.
Cousineau said Walmart Labs sees mobile as a big part of the way people will be shopping, both in-store and online. He said Walmart wants to continue to pick up small teams to add to its mobile team at Walmart Labs.
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