Advertisement

Kaness tried to present the news as exciting by saying that the move allows the company to grow, which it undoubtedly does. He added that “culturally” Modcloth is a lot like Walmart.

“When I think about the quality of people I‘ve met at Jet and their ambitions and how it aligns with ours,” Kaness began. “And when when I think about their parent company Walmart, who has the resources—but also has when you’ve spent time researching it and understanding it, they’ve spent a lot of time working on corporate responsibility and environmental initiatives and opportunities for their employees and their careers. I think there’s a lot of overlap culturally with what they’re about and what we’re about. I think over time this is going to become an incredible marriage.” In the recording we heard, employees in the room can be heard laughing in what sounds like disbelief.

Advertisement

Jezebel has contacted Modcloth, Jet, and Walmart for comment and will update if we hear back.