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Retailers can now hire on college-trained VR professionals

May 26, 2016

Illustrating the accelerating interest in virtual reality technology, the University of Arkansas is graduating its first class of VR professionals.

The college grads studied in a program created in partnership with InContext Solutions, a VR provider for retailers.

"At the Sam M. Walton College of Business we pride ourselves on being leaders of breakthrough retail innovations and educating the next generation of ingenious retail leaders," Sue Sedberry, managing director at the Walton College's Center for Retailing Excellence, housed within tthe university, said in a release. "We are thrilled to offer a certification program so students can enhance their academic experience through virtual reality simulations and develop a strong foundation on which to build their future career endeavors."

The students were given an opportunity to become certified in ShopperMX, a proprietary software that allows retailers and consumer product good companies (CPGs) to ideate, evaluate and activate new concepts using 3D virtual store simulations.

"Our academic partnership further demonstrates the growing trend in retail of using virtual reality technology to make faster, smarter and more profitable business decisions," said Mark Hardy, CEO of InContext Solutions. "We are incredibly excited to have had a hand in creating the first class of ShopperMX-certified graduates, and believe these students will have a leg-up on the competition when it comes to their future career pursuits."

The initial graduating class of 50 obtained their certification by completing a virtual reality shelf management boot camp or by enrolling in the college's Category Management Special Topics course. The goal is to train 70 more students in the 2016 - 2017 academic school year.

"The Walton College is continually looking for new ways to encourage innovation, which is something we are continuing to do through the help of our Center for Retailing Excellence," said Matt Waller, Walton College dean. "It is because of the dedication by our board members, professors and partners that we are able to better prepare students to achieve their academic and professional goals."