Walmart reportedly in talks to buy TV maker Vizio

Walmart is reportedly in talks to buy smart television manufacturer Vizio for more than $2 billion, per a Wall Street Journal report, that cited people familiar with the situation. The report noted that the move would give the retailer additional places where it can sell ads and pitch shoppers on goods. 

Walmart, including its Sam’s Club chain, has historically been the television manufacturer’s largest customer, and it is the largest television brand sold at the retailer by sales, the report said.

The report also noted that the talks are evidence of the importance of consumer data and ad space for major retailers as they build out their ad businesses and compete with Amazon. In addition to being an e-commerce giant, Amazon is among the biggest ad players in the United States behind Google parent Alphabet and Facebook owner Meta Platforms. Amazon also has been building its own smart TV business, the report added.  

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Discussions between the companies are ongoing, and a deal may not happen. 

A Vizio spokesperson and a Walmart spokesperson contacted by Drug Store News both declined to comment on the report.