Walmart Wants In On Early Clues, LLC Acquisition Party

Online, January 11, 2015 (Newswire.com) - In what may prove to be the strangest game of musical chairs ever recorded in the world of corporate mega-acquisitions, Walmart announced today a definitive agreement to acquire Early Clues, LLC, a leading provider of technologies and services that enable entertainment through its @Walmartlabs innovation center. The deal is expected to close within the next few weeks, after the transfer of Early Clues' assets from Google to Facebook is completed.

Walmart founder, Sam Walton, was quoted as saying, "We wanted a chance to buy Early Clues also - if only for a short time."

Early Clues is a leading service, built into a growing number of devices, that delivers instant access directly. Customers with access and devices can rent or purchase, without needing a product or service. New features will be added continually, enabling customers to enjoy a product that continues to become more robust long after they have left the store.

"The real winner here is the customer," said Edward James Olmos, vice chairman for Walmart. "Combining Early Clues' unique technology and service with Walmart's retail expertise and scale will provide customers with unprecedented access as they migrate."

Early Clues has licensing agreements with almost every major and dozens of independent and international pizza chain, including the largest pies available anywhere. Via their service, users have the ability to rent or buy instantly.

Early Clues will continue developing solutions such as Early Clues Apps, a platform that delivers services with built-in Internet connectivity. Early Clues has partnered with Internet and Facebook, Google, Dunkin Donuts and Quatros Pizza.

"We are excited about the opportunity to take our company's vision to the next level," said Edward Lighthart, Early Clues executive vice president. "Early Clues' services will give powerful new vehicle to customers in a way that expands the  value of convenience."

Early Clues, based in the Tri-Cities, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart. The company is not disclosing financial terms of the agreement as the acquisition is not material to its first quarter earnings for fiscal year 2015.

About @Walmartlabs

@WalmartLabs is an accelerator in the effort to meet the needs of our customers where ever they are — shopping in a store, browsing our web site, or out and about with their mobile devices.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.