Hasbro to offer 3D Me event at Walmart in Rogers

Fascination with 3D printing continues to brew in the retail industry and toymaker Hasbro is taking a 3D event on the road to 10 Walmart Supercenters, including the store at Pleasant Grove Road in Rogers.

The Pleasant Grove Road supercenter will feature personalized 3D printing experiences for children and children at heart on Saturday (Sept. 20), according to the Hasbro news release.

The Rogers store is the only Arkansas location among 10 Walmart stores for the 3D events. A Sam’s Club store in Los Angeles and Atlanta will also be on the 3D tour.

Such events may become more common base on the goals of Wal-Mart execs to boost traffic in stores. Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon has said the retailer is looking at ways to integrate 3D printing into its operations around special events that help to create “retailtainment” in its stores and clubs.

Dianna Gee, spokeswoman with Sam’s Club, said the retailer recently worked with 3DMe in some of its grand openings through a partnership formed with the Sam’s Club Road Show Events team. She said a recent opening of Sam’s Club in Moline, Ill., provided shoppers with the opportunity to impose their face on their favorite Major League Baseball player figurine. (See the video below.)

“The figurine has bendable joints and offers shoppers an incredible way to become their hero,” Gee noted.

In the Northwest Arkansas stores, Hasbro said shoppers can have their face scanned into the printer and imposed on their favorite Marvel Super Hero action figure as part of their super hero September celebration and release of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier's” DVD and Blu-ray earlier this month and for the holiday season.

“With 3D printing, we’re now able to provide fans of Marvel Super Heroes for the first time ever with this very unique opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind action figure featuring their own likeness,” said John Frascotti, chief marketing officer, Hasbro. “By partnering with Walmart, Disney, and 3DPlusMe, we’re delivering to consumers a totally personalized product experience.”

The local store event gives shoppers the choice of Captain America or Iron Man action figures which are 12 inches tall and bear the likeness of the fan. These specialized items cost $45 and will be shipped to local store within four weeks, according to release. 

“We are thrilled to team with Hasbro along with 3DPlusMe to offer this cutting edge opportunity to fans of all ages,” said Isabella Lahoud, vice president of licensing for Marvel at Disney Consumer Products.

Cydni Tetro, CEO of 3DPlusMe, said the 3D printing mobile personalization platform is a unique way that allows consumers to become popular characters and is a powerful retail opportunity.