Retail News Timeline
Walmart
Walmart Inc. is the world’s largest retailer, operating thousands of stores across multiple formats including supercenters, discount stores, and neighborhood markets. This comprehensive archive documents RetailWire’s coverage of Walmart from 2004-2025, including news articles, strategic initiatives, and community discussions.
1115
Total Articles
22 Years
Coverage Span
2004-2025
Date Range
Coverage Timeline Visualizer
1
2004
2
2005
3
2006
3
2007
48
2008
31
2009
31
2010
105
2011
103
2012
139
2013
104
2014
99
2015
36
2016
6
2017
12
2018
12
2019
69
2020
65
2021
70
2022
72
2023
46
2024
58
2025
Peak coverage: 2013 (139 articles) | Click any bar to jump to that year
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2025
58 articles
June 13, 2025
Walmart and Amazon Consider Launching Stablecoins
Stablecoins, backed by the U.S. dollar, may become an option for Walmart and Amazon purchases.
June 13, 2025
Walmart Refreshes Its Image via ‘Who Knew?’ Ad Campaign Featuring Walton Goggins
Walmart has launched a new ad campaign featuring Hollywood actor Walton Goggins.
June 13, 2025
Walmart Faces MAGA Boycott Following Walton Heiress’s Funding of ‘No Kings’ Ad
Walmart heiress refuses to recognize Donald Trump as a ‘king.’
June 12, 2025
Walmart’s New AI Assistant, ‘Sparky,’ Wants To Help Customers Shop Smarter
Walmart’s latest AI innovation promises to create a personalized shopping experience.
June 9, 2025
Walmart Expands Fast, Convenient Drone Delivery to 5 More Cities
Walmart continues to elevate the shopping experience with the rapid growth of this service.
June 9, 2025
OnePay and Synchrony Bring Credit Card Program to Walmart
Walmart customers will have two credit card options through the OnePay app.
June 9, 2025
Walmart Ramps up Efforts To Win Over First-Time and Loyal Customers
Walmart is doubling down on its efforts to attract new customers and retain current ones during these uncertain economic times.
June 5, 2025
Walmart Is Adding a Fast-Casual Hot Dog Restaurant to 6 Store Locations
Walmart has partnered with the Wienerschnitzel brand.
June 3, 2025
Walmart Shows Significant Price Increases Likely Tied to Tariffs, Despite Trump’s Demand To Maintain Pricing
Walmart is seemingly raising prices as a result of President Trump’s tariffs.
June 2, 2025
Walmart Provides Agentic AI Update, Says Customers Need To ‘Effectively Train Their Agents’
Walmart is further enhancing its agentic AI capabilities to improve logistics and customer service.
May 29, 2025
Walmart Fined by New York Attorney General Over the Sale of Realistic Toy Guns
Walmart allegedly violated New York state law by selling realistic toy guns.
May 22, 2025
Walmart and Partners Make Powerful $750K Commitment to Tornado-Affected Communities
Walmart and its partners are working together to assist those affected by natural disasters.
May 22, 2025
Walmart Is Cutting 1,500 Jobs To ‘Remove Layers and Complexity’
Walmart is reorganizing some departments and laying off workers.
May 22, 2025
Kroger Shutters Ship Service After Failing To Compete With Amazon, Walmart
Kroger will no longer be using Ship.
May 16, 2025
Walmart Plans To Overhaul 650 Stores. Is a Location Near You on the List?
Walmart is getting a facelift.
May 15, 2025
Walmart Expands Vision Care Offerings With Innovative New Products: All the Details
Walmart’s Vision Center continues to evolve and serve all customer needs.
May 15, 2025
Walmart Is Blaming Tariffs for Upcoming Price Hikes
Consumers might see higher prices at Walmart starting later this month.
May 12, 2025
Walmart’s National Pet Month Celebration Is Here and It’s Paw-sitively Amazing
Walmart is celebrating all the ways pets give back to a family in May.
May 8, 2025
Walmart Launches Powerful ‘Grow With US’ Program To Empower Small Businesses
Walmart’s Grow With US program helps small businesses succeed.
April 24, 2025
Walmart Offers Customers Giant Fuel Savings of 50 Cents Per Gallon
Walmart+ customers can score big savings at the pump.
April 23, 2025
Walmart’s Beauty Event Returns: Save on Top Beauty Finds
Walmart’s Beauty Event will run from now until May 31.
April 17, 2025
Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer Now at Walmart
Real American Beer is expanding quickly, and beer fans can now find it at Walmart.
April 9, 2025
Walmart Pulls Q1 Operating Income Growth Guidance, Citing Trump Tariffs and Other Headwinds
Walmart issued its sales guidance as part of a broader corporate news report, but one metric was notably absent: a projected range for its Q1 2025 operating income growth figures.
April 8, 2025
Walmart+ Week Returns for 2025: Here’s What To Know
Walmart+ Week will run from April 28 through May 4.
April 7, 2025
Walmart Faces Nationwide Boycott After $22B Valuation Loss. Here’s What We Know
Customers are planning to boycott Walmart.
April 4, 2025
Walmart Introduces WIC Online Shopping in 2 States
Walmart has introduced WIC online shopping in Washington State and Massachusetts.
April 3, 2025
Glen Powell Launches Smash Kitchen, Available for Under $5 at Walmart
Glen Powell has a new product line.
March 27, 2025
Walmart Sheds $22 Billion in Valuation as US Consumer Confidence Hits 12-Year Low
Walmart loses $22 billion in market cap as consumer confidence falls further.
March 26, 2025
Walmart’s Easter Meal Kit Does Not Include Eggs This Year
The Easter dinner kit from Walmart is skipping the eggs.
March 25, 2025
Walmart Is the Most Popular Grocery Store in America, Survey Says: These 2 Chains Placed Second and Third
Walmart is the most popular grocery destination in America, a YouGov survey indicated.
March 24, 2025
Temu Is Reportedly Recruiting Amazon and Walmart Employees To Boost US Presence
Temu is looking to grab market share in the U.S. and is seemingly hiring people from Amazon and Walmart.
March 24, 2025
Walmart Expands Beauty Selection With New Spring Brands
Walmart has dropped its latest beauty brand additions so shoppers can put a spring in their daily care routines.
March 23, 2025
Walmart Is Trying To Fuel the Nation. Here’s How It Plans To Do It
Walmart is expanding its footprint once again — this time at the pump.
March 17, 2025
Walmart and Klarna To Offer BNPL Service for Purchases
BNPL fintech Klarna will offer short-term loans for Walmart purchases.
March 14, 2025
Dollar General, Walmart Warn That Low-Income American Consumers Are in Trouble
Dollar General and Walmart have both issued warnings about the fiscal health of low-income consumers.
March 14, 2025
Walmart Self-Checkout Faces $10,000 Fines From Washington State If These Terms Aren’t Met
Walmart self-checkout is facing some pushback in Washington state.
March 13, 2025
China Issues Veiled Threat to Walmart After Retailer Asks Chinese Vendors for Price Cuts To Offset Tariffs
Walmart is embroiled in negotiations with Chinese vendors.
March 10, 2025
Walmart Baby Days Savings Event Runs Through March 31
Walmart is running specials that benefit the smallest members of the family.
February 28, 2025
Walmart Is Opening 8 New Locations in 2025. Is Your City on the List?
Walmart continues to expand its retail footprint.
February 26, 2025
Walmart Expands Same-Day Delivery, Reaching 93% of Households
Walmart expanded its U.S. store-fulfilled delivery areas last quarter.
February 26, 2025
‘Feb. 28 Economic Blackout’ Targets Big Retailers Like Walmart and Amazon
Will large retailers feel the impact of the Feb. 28 economic blackout?
February 25, 2025
Walmart Maintains Egg Supply for Customers Despite Shortage
Walmart is working with suppliers to keep eggs on the shelves.
February 20, 2025
Walmart Reports Positive Fourth-Quarter Earnings and Strong Online Sales
Walmart beat analysts’ expectations in the fourth quarter.
February 11, 2025
Canned Tuna Sold at Costco, Trader Joe’s, H-E-B, and Walmart Recalled Over Botulism Concerns
A wide-ranging canned tuna recall has been announced.
February 7, 2025
Why Did Walmart Just Buy a Pittsburgh Mall?
What will Walmart do with a mall? Here are the details.
February 6, 2025
Walmart To Cut Hundreds of Jobs, Force Workers to Arkansas or California
Walmart is consolidating its workforce.
February 5, 2025
Broccoli Recall: Walmart Product Now Labeled Deadly by the FDA
The broccoli recall affects products sold in 20 states.
January 31, 2025
Walmart Same-Day Pharmacy Delivery Is Now Available Across the United States
Walmart’s dame-day pharmacy delivery is now available in 49 states in the U.S.
January 23, 2025
Risk Factor Elevated for Walmart Chicken Broth Recall
Recalled chicken broth sold at Walmart has been upgraded to a Class II risk level.
January 23, 2025
Walmart Launches Program Allowing Customers To Test Products at Home
Walmart is widening the launch of its In-Home User Test (IHUT) program.
January 21, 2025
Walmart Is Now Carrying a Strawberry-Flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Walmart is now carrying a fun, exclusive cereal flavor.
January 20, 2025
Walmart Announces Innovative New Home Office: ‘The Future of Better’
Walmart is looking to the future with its New Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas.
January 17, 2025
PepsiCo Slammed by FTC Over Alleged Price Discrimination in Favor of Walmart
The FTC is accusing PepsiCo of working with a large retailer in a price discrimination scheme.
January 13, 2025
Walmart Debuts Brand Refresh in 2025 as Part of Push Toward ‘Heritage and Innovation’
Walmart has unveiled the beginnings of a significant brand refresh for 2025.
January 13, 2025
Chicken Broth Recall: Walmart Recalls Over 12,000 Cartons Due to Compromised Packaging
The chicken broth recall is one of the largest in Walmart history.
January 10, 2025
Walmart Announces New Game Day Meal Spread for Eight People at $8 Per Person
Walmart is offering its customers a super discount.
January 9, 2025
Ring in a Healthier New Year With Walmart Wellness Day
Walmart’s Wellness Day will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11.
January 2, 2025
Walmart Broccoli Recall Affects 20 States: Is Yours Affected?
Twenty states have recalled broccoli bags sold at Walmart — is yours on the list?
2024
46 articles
December 30, 2024
Taco Bell, Walmart Listed Amongst Top Alabama Employers, According to New Report
Taco Bell and Walmart are among the top employers in Alabama.
December 26, 2024
Walmart’s Image Makeover Is Attracting High-Income Earners
Walmart is expanding its appeal to include higher income shoppers.
December 24, 2024
Walmart and Branch Messenger Face CFPB Lawsuit Over Driver Pay Program
CFPB is going after Walmart and Branch Messenger for collecting millions in junk fees.
December 17, 2024
Some Walmart Workers Are Reportedly Strapping on Body Cameras
With body cameras, Walmart may be looking for a way to improve worker safety.
December 17, 2024
Walmart Christmas Tree Light Controllers Recalled Over Fire Safety Concerns
The Walmart Christmas tree light controllers, sold under the Mr. Christmas brand, are at risk of overheating.
December 16, 2024
Walmart Continues Partnership With Wreaths Across America To Honor Fallen Veterans
Walmart’s work with Wreaths Across America began in 2008.
December 12, 2024
Walmart Announces 80 Layoffs in Alabama Days Before Christmas
Walmart is putting people on the unemployment line.
December 10, 2024
Walmart Announces Shopping, Shipping Cutoffs For Holiday Season
As the holiday season fast approaches, Walmart has announced its shopping and shipping cutoffs.
December 6, 2024
Walmart CEO Says Grocery Prices Will Continue To Rise in 2025 Despite Wishes for Customer Relief
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon says consumers should expect higher prices in 2025.
December 6, 2024
Walmart Announces New Holiday Meal for Less Than $5 Per Person
Walmart is trying to spread holiday cheer and discounts.
December 4, 2024
Walmart Closes $2.3 Billion VIZIO Deal as the Retailer Enters the Streaming Market
Walmart is now getting into the streaming business.
November 28, 2024
Walmart Is America’s Primary Grocer, But Ranks Last on Trust and Customer Satisfaction
Walmart may claim the top spot as America’s preferred grocer, but not without issue.
November 28, 2024
Walmart Ordered to Pay Former Truck Driver $35M in Damages
A jury found that Walmart defamed the truck driver.
November 27, 2024
Walmart Updates Virtual Store Walmart Realm for the Holiday Season
Walmart Realm continues to deliver some of the trendiest gifts for the holiday season.
November 26, 2024
Walmart Cuts DEI Programs, Following Ford, Lowe’s, and Others
Walmart is curtailing its commitment to DEI programs.
November 19, 2024
Walmart Beats Q3 Expectations With Surging Profits, Boosts Annual Outlook
After a strong earnings report, Walmart is optimistic about the 2024 holiday shopping season.
November 12, 2024
Walmart Announces New bettergoods Seasonal Items Just in Time for the Holidays
Walmart’s new premium private label brand has holiday goodies.
October 25, 2024
Walmart, Kroger Deny ‘Surge Pricing’ Claims Following Digital Price Tag Adoption
Walmart and Kroger have digital price tags, but claim they don’t do surge pricing.
October 23, 2024
Walmart Adds Pharmacy to Same-Day Delivery
Walmart will soon offer bundled deliveries of perscriptions and everyday purchases.
October 18, 2024
Walmart Announces ‘Inflation Free’ Thanksgiving Dinners for Less Than $7 Per Person
Walmart is offering affordable Thanksgiving dinner options.
October 16, 2024
Walmart Introduces ‘Wicked’ Mystery Color Mac and Cheese
The Wicked product features either pink or green cheese when water is added.
October 7, 2024
Walmart and Sam’s Club Join Dolly Parton To Commit Millions to Hurricane Helene Relief
Those impacted by Hurricane Helene will have resources available to begin rebuilding their lives thanks to Walmart and Dolly Parton.
September 22, 2024
Walmart Has Unveiled Its Holiday Plans. Here’s What Shoppers Can Expect
Walmart is celebrating Christmas (and other holidays) early this year.
September 9, 2024
Apple Juice Recall: Brand Sold at ALDI, Walmart Cited for High Arsenic Levels
The apple juice recall began early last week.
September 6, 2024
Walmart Hits the Road With a Traveling Fall Fashion Tour
This fall, Walmart will hit the road and bring style directly to its devoted customers with the Walmart Style Tour.
August 26, 2024
Target’s 4-Word Core Strategy Aims To Win Over Customers From Walmart
It comes down to a four-word strategy that the brand is implementing to woo customers from Walmart.
August 26, 2024
Walmart Recalls Apple Juice Due to Elevated Arsenic Levels
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall of Great Value apple juice sold by Walmart.
August 15, 2024
Walmart Earns More Than Expected as Customer Spending Increases
The nation’s largest retailer predicts an upward swing in net sales going into 2025.
August 7, 2024
Walmart Heightens Dorm Room Shopping Experience With Walmart Realm
Walmart introduced the virtual shopping platform Walmart Realm in May. Now, it has improved the immersive experience to help college students find the decor, clothing, and essentials of their dreams.
July 24, 2024
Walmart Will Pay $2.5M for Class-Action COVID Settlement
A federal judge signed off on the order against Walmart.
July 9, 2024
Walmart Offers Half-Price Membership To Attract Amazon Shoppers Before Prime Day
Although Walmart’s members-only sales event has ended and Amazon’s Prime Day is still a week away, the fierce competition between these two retail giants continues at full speed.
June 26, 2024
Walmart Deals Event to Compete With Amazon Prime Day
The retailer will feature savings on thousands of items for two days only.
June 7, 2024
Walmart Advances With New Tech-Driven Innovations
Walmart has introduced a variety of technological innovations to its stores.
June 6, 2024
Walmart Introduces Incentive Program for Hourly Employees
Walmart, the biggest private sector employer in the U.S., is rolling out a new bonus program tailored for its hourly staff.
May 17, 2024
Walmart Market Cap Surges to All-Time High of $500B
Walmart achieved an all-time-high market cap after its Q1 2024 earnings report.
May 14, 2024
Walmart To Lay off Hundreds of Corporate Staff Members
Walmart is set to lay off hundreds of its corporate staff members. The retail giant will also ask their remote workers to return to the office on a hybrid schedule.
May 2, 2024
Ground Beef Sold at Walmart Recalled for E. Coli Contamination
The beef, sold at Walmart and other retailers, is from Cargill Meat Solutions.
April 30, 2024
Walmart Unveils New Premium Brand Bettergoods To Broaden Appeal
Walmart’s launch of Bettergoods is the retail giant’s latest attempt to appeal to younger consumers.
April 18, 2024
Walmart Introduces Supplier-Driven Self-Serve Insights Connectors
Walmart revealed a new insights offering that combines its Walmart Connect and Walmart Luminate products.
April 10, 2024
Oxfam Report Reveals Concerns Among Amazon and Walmart Warehouse Workers Over Extreme Surveillance
Both Amazon and Walmart use excessive surveillance in their warehouses and the concerning implementation poses a serious risk to employees’ health and well-being, according to a recent report by Oxfam.
February 28, 2024
FDA Recalling Eye Ointments Sold at Walmart and CVS Due to Sterility Issues
The FDA has recalled eye ointments sold at Walmart and CVS due the potential for infections or harm to the eye.
February 21, 2024
Walmart To Acquire TV Maker Vizio for $2.3 Billion To Expand Its Ad Business
Walmart and Vizio have made a deal for the retail giant to acquire the TV maker for $11.50 per share, in cash, which amounts to around $2.3 billion.
February 20, 2024
Walmart Discreetly Shut Down 101 Locations Last Year
According to Walmart’s investor website, the giant quietly reduced its number of stores by 101 between January and August last year.
February 6, 2024
Walmart Wants More Employee Ownership in the Company
Walmart has made two shifts that will create a simpler path for employees to own company shares.
January 22, 2024
Viral Video Shows Walmart Spark Shoppers With Perishable Items Waiting in the Arizona Sun
A viral video posted by a YouTuber reveals two people who look to be Walmart Spark shoppers waiting in a parking lot as their carts containing milk and other groceries are left in the sun.
January 19, 2024
Walmart To Raise Annual Salaries for Store Managers
Walmart is set to raise the annual salaries of its store managers and redesign its bonus program.
2023
72 articles
December 19, 2023
Air Fryers Sold at Walmart, Kohl’s, Target, & More Recalled Due to Fire Risk
According to The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Empower Brands has announced the recall of over 300,000 PowerXL Air Fryers because of a burn hazard.
December 13, 2023
Walmart, Amazon, and Target to Stop Selling Dangerous Water Bead Toys
The brightly colored balls can pose a dangerous hazard to children if ingested.
October 18, 2023
Walmart Bolsters Third-Party Marketplace To Take On E-Commerce Giant Amazon
As the holiday season approaches, Walmart is intensifying efforts to attract and retain independent sellers on its third-party marketplace, aiming to expand its online offerings. More than half of the items featured in Walmart’s recent sales event were from this marketplace, showcasing a growing shift toward this platform. This strategy, combined with the leveraging of its vast network of physical stores, positions Walmart as a formidable contender in the e-commerce race, challenging Amazon’s dominance.
October 17, 2023
Walmart Employees Navigate Tense Encounters at Self-Checkouts Due to Anti-Theft Tech
Walmart employees reveal confrontations with customers due to anti-theft tech at self-checkouts. The technology flags missed scans and potential theft, leading to tense encounters. Employees suggest more training and scripts for handling such situations to ensure a safe and pleasant shopping experience.
October 17, 2023
Retailers Like Walmart Embrace Costco-Style Free Samples as Brands Seek Direct Consumer Engagement
Brands including Mondelez and startup Dude Wipes are ramping up sampling efforts to attract consumer attention and boost sales. Walmart is introducing free samples at 1,000 locations, while Wakefern is installing vending machines for samples at 95 stores. This trend reflects a shift in advertising strategies, with more brands opting to offer products directly to consumers as traditional paid ads become less effective.
October 10, 2023
Walmart Expands Virtual Healthcare for Employees Across the US, Aims to Cut Costs
Walmart, the largest employer in the US, is extending its virtual healthcare services to cover approximately 1 million workers and their families, starting Oct. 14. The move is part of a strategy to address healthcare accessibility and costs, with virtual primary care proving successful in pilot states, leading to an estimated 11% reduction in the total cost of care. This expansion is set to save Walmart potentially close to $700 million, a significant move in tackling its annual $6 billion healthcare bill.
October 6, 2023
Walmart in Mexico Faces Antitrust Panel for Alleged Monopolistic Practices
Walmart’s Mexico division, known as Walmex, is set to appear before an antitrust panel following allegations of monopolistic practices related to the supply and wholesale distribution of consumer goods. This comes after a three-year investigation by Mexico’s antitrust regulator, Cofece. Walmex has been granted 45 days to present its arguments and evidence, affirming that it has always operated in compliance with applicable laws to provide the best prices and quality to its customers.
October 6, 2023
Walmart Spark Delivery Drivers Say They Are Waiting Over an Hour To Pick up Orders — It’s the Latest Sign of Trouble for the Retailer’s Delivery Business
Drivers for Walmart’s Spark delivery service are reporting wait times of over an hour to pick up orders, leading to delayed deliveries and frustrated customers. Walmart’s Spark service has seen rapid growth, with the number of drivers tripling between mid-2022 and mid-2023. However, this expansion has come with challenges, including delayed orders and issues with drivers using multiple accounts, prompting Walmart’s CEO to express a preference for store associates over gig workers for deliveries.
October 2, 2023
Walmart Says Is Streamlining Job Titles, Changes Pay for Corporate Staff
Walmart is undergoing a restructuring of job titles for its corporate staff in a bid to maintain competitiveness in the current job market. While some employees will receive new titles, their roles, responsibilities, and base pay will remain unchanged. The reclassification will take effect in November, with pay adjustments implemented in some cases, although stock option awards will either stay the same or increase for many employees.
September 28, 2023
Walmart Is Stripping Some Stores of Self-Checkout Lanes and Bringing Back Cashiers
Walmart is removing self-checkout lanes from at least three stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico, replacing them with staffed checkout counters to enhance the shopping experience. Walmart spokesperson Josh Havens stated that the move is part of their continuous effort to improve customer service. The company has also previously mentioned plans to provide hands-on assistance to customers using self-checkout kiosks, which may include employees ringing up entire purchases for them.
September 25, 2023
Walmart Now Lets Customers Set Up Repeat Purchases by Subscription – Just 16 Years After Amazon
Walmart has introduced a subscription-based automatic replenishment service for frequently purchased items, allowing customers to schedule deliveries of essentials like paper towels and pet supplies. This move comes 16 years after Amazon pioneered a similar subscription offering. Walmart’s service, accessible through its smartphone app, aims to streamline shopping by providing regular deliveries based on individual preferences, whether bi-weekly or bi-monthly. While this strategy enhances customer convenience, Amazon’s “Subscribe & Save” program, established in 2007, has already been offering comparable services.
September 21, 2023
Walmart Opens a Pet Center With Veterinary Care and Grooming as It Signals Bigger Ambitions
Walmart is set to open a pioneering pet services center in Dallas, Georgia, adjacent to one of its stores, offering veterinary care and grooming services, marking a significant move into the pet industry’s lucrative healthcare sector. The retail giant aims to capitalize on the growing trend of treating pets as family members, with pet-related services constituting approximately 40% of the industry’s total revenue. Walmart’s pet center will also provide an automated subscription-based service, streamlining orders of pet food and supplies, in addition to offering perks through its membership program, Walmart+.
September 19, 2023
Walmart Sued by US Agency Over Test That Screened Out Disabled Workers
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Walmart, alleging that the company wrongfully terminated hourly workers with disabilities who couldn’t pass a computer-based test unrelated to their job duties. The test, implemented by Walmart nationwide in 2015, reportedly lacked accommodations for workers with disabilities as required by federal law. The EEOC has previously filed lawsuits against Walmart for alleged discrimination against workers and job applicants with disabilities.
September 18, 2023
Focus: Walmart Bets on Inventory Software Ahead of Tough Holiday Shopping Season
Walmart is utilizing a machine-learning algorithm, which incorporates weather patterns and historical sales data, to predict the inventory needs of its 4,700 U.S. locations in preparation for the upcoming holiday shopping season. This software, developed in 2019, reflects innovative approaches retailers are taking to streamline inventory management. After grappling with excess stock last year, Walmart’s implementation of algorithms and robotics, along with inventory adjustments, has put them in a more favorable position, according to CEO Doug McMillon.
September 15, 2023
Walmart Wants Associates, Not Gig Workers, To Deliver More Orders as the Retailer Struggles To Verify the Identity of Its Spark Drivers
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon announced a shift in their delivery strategy, aiming to have more store associates handle online order deliveries, reducing reliance on gig workers through the Spark Driver app. McMillon stated that while independent contractors dominate deliveries through platforms like Spark, the number of associate deliveries is currently very small in comparison. Walmart’s Spark Driver service, similar to Instacart and DoorDash, has seen a significant increase in drivers over the past year but also faced challenges with identity verification and competition among drivers.
September 13, 2023
Walmart Customers either Hate or Love the Chain’s New Shopping Carts. We Tried One Out, and It’s Clear Why They Are So Polarizing.
Walmart’s newly designed shopping carts, featuring a cupholder and slot for a phone or grocery list, have garnered mixed reactions from shoppers. Some praise the additions, while others find the taller design uncomfortable, particularly for shorter customers. The carts, rolling out at Walmart stores across the U.S. over the past two years, maintain similar width and length dimensions but have higher handlebars and child seats, resembling those seen at Sam’s Club and Costco.
September 8, 2023
Walmart Changes Starting Pay Structure for Entry-Level Store Workers
Walmart is implementing changes to its hourly starting wage structure for entry-level store workers in an effort to manage costs in a slowing job market. The alteration means that various store positions, including cashiers, personal shoppers, and stockers, will now have the same starting wages based on the store’s location. However, higher-skilled roles like deli, auto center, and bakery workers will continue to receive higher starting wages, according to Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield.
September 8, 2023
Walmart Is Making an Unusual Move To Deter Theft by Building a Mini Police Station Inside One of Its Stores
An Atlanta Walmart in the Vine City neighborhood is set to include a substation of the Atlanta Police Department when it reopens in May next year, following its closure for nearly a year due to arson incidents by shoplifters. This move aims to deter theft and increase police presence. The mini precinct will also serve as a place for police in the area to recharge batteries and do paperwork, providing a multifaceted solution to security concerns.
September 1, 2023
Walmart Partners With People of Crypto Lab To Celebrate Hip-Hop and Black Culture in the Metaverse
Walmart is partnering with Web3 creative studio People of Crypto Lab to launch “Cultureverse,” an immersive metaverse experience celebrating Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary and the transformative power of Black culture. The experience, hosted on the Spatial metaverse, pays tribute to Hip-Hop’s pioneers and explores its evolution’s impact on art, music, and fashion. Walmart’s initiative also aims to broaden technology access for Black creators through its Black & Unlimited platform, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and digital connections between brands and consumers.
August 31, 2023
Walmart’s Corporate Employees Are Getting a Generative AI Assistant While Amazon and Apple Are Restricting AI in the Workplace
Walmart is bucking the trend set by companies like Amazon, Apple, and Samsung by embracing generative AI tools for its corporate employees. The retail giant is rolling out a new AI “assistant” tool to its 50,000 corporate employees, designed to speed up productivity. The generative AI tool, including a “My Assistant” feature, will summarize documents, aid in drafting projects, and aim to free employees from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on improving customer experiences and other higher-value tasks.
August 30, 2023
Exclusive: Walmart Cuts Pharmacist Pay, Hours While Workload Piles Up
Walmart is reportedly asking some of its 16,000 pharmacists in the U.S. to voluntarily take pay cuts by reducing their working hours, targeting those in higher wage brackets as the company seeks to lower costs. This move reflects pressures at Walmart pharmacies, where sales of weight-loss drugs are dragging on profits despite their high price. This comes amid a shortage of pharmacy technicians and an increase in workload due to the popularity of diabetes medications that are also used for weight loss, impacting the work-life balance of pharmacists.
August 29, 2023
Madison Reed, America’s Best Loved Hair Color Brand, Expands Into Walmart
Madison Reed, a popular hair color brand, has announced its expansion into Walmart stores nationwide, allowing greater access to its high-quality hair care products. The partnership aligns well with Walmart’s demographic and evolving digital brand, offering a sophisticated online experience. Madison Reed’s products will be available in over 1,500 Walmart stores and online, catering to a diverse customer base seeking value and convenience for their hair care needs.
August 22, 2023
Walmart’s Delivery Program Is Having an Identity Crisis. Some Drivers Aren’t Who They Say They Are.
Walmart’s delivery platform, Spark, has faced challenges as drivers on the platform report an increasing number of individuals posing under multiple names to grab more orders. While Walmart has tripled its delivery-driver workforce on Spark over the past year, this issue of identity misuse is impacting both drivers and customers’ safety. To address this problem, Walmart is introducing a facial-recognition and ID-scan system within the next month to verify driver identities and prevent fraudulent activities amidst concerns about customers’ safety and the integrity of the platform.
August 18, 2023
Walmart vs. Target: When It Comes to Groceries It’s Not Really a Competition
Walmart’s strong sales growth in the last quarter, in contrast to Target’s decline, is largely attributed to Walmart’s dominance in the grocery sector. One in four U.S. grocery dollars are spent at Walmart, making it a major player in the industry. Walmart’s focus on grocery staples and in-home meal options, along with its popularity among younger, value-seeking shoppers and incentives like same-day delivery, have contributed to its success, especially in a time where households prioritize essentials due to inflation and changing consumer habits.
August 15, 2023
Walmart Workers Reveal 7 Secret Terms They Use on the Job
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has its own unique set of slang terms that employees use on the job. These terms include “dance floor” for the area where delivery trucks unload products, “plugging” for stocking items in the wrong spot due to overstock or deliberate efforts to make shelves look fuller, “Action Alley” for the wide aisle separating departments, “The Wire” for Walmart’s internal portal, “wet wall” for the produce section, “meat wall” for the area where meat products are stocked, and “the mule” for the machine used to gather carts in the parking lot. These terms provide insight into […]
August 8, 2023
Amazon Results Could Bode Well for Rival Retailers Walmart, Target
Amazon’s strong quarterly results, with a 4.2% increase in sales on Amazon.com and a 6.4% jump in sales at its physical store operations, indicate that Americans are still shopping despite economic indicators. The positive performance could bode well for rival retailers Walmart and Target, which are set to report their results next week. However, analysts are cautious about whether Amazon’s growth is a reflection of overall stronger consumer demand or a result of the improvements the company has been making, such as faster deliveries and price adjustments at Whole Foods.
August 2, 2023
Billionaire Behind Walmart’s Warehouse Robots Gains More Than $7 Billion in a Day
Rick Cohen, the billionaire majority owner of warehouse automation firm Symbotic, saw his fortune increase by over $7 billion in a single day as the company reported record sales and a $23 billion backlog of orders. Symbotic’s stock soared more than 50%, leading to a market cap of $35 billion, and its revenue for the third quarter reached $312 million, a 78% increase compared to the same period last year. The company’s success is attributed to its robotic warehouses that serve customers like Walmart, Albertsons, Target, and C&S Wholesale Grocery.
August 1, 2023
Walmart Buys Out $1.4 Billion Tiger Global Stake in India’s Flipkart, Wall Street Journal Reports
Walmart has acquired the remaining stakes of hedge fund Tiger Global and venture capital firm Accel in Indian e-commerce company Flipkart, further increasing its control over the firm. The retail giant reportedly paid $1.4 billion for Tiger Global’s shares, valuing Flipkart at approximately $35 billion, a decrease from its 2021 valuation of nearly $38 billion. Walmart originally obtained a 77% stake in Flipkart for around $16 billion in 2018, and this recent move solidifies its position in one of India’s largest online marketplaces as it aims to double its foreign market sales to $200 billion in five years.
August 1, 2023
Schnucks: Out-Innovating Amazon, Walmart and Everybody Else in Grocery
Schnuck Markets, a St. Louis-based grocery chain, has emerged as the most innovative grocer in America, outpacing giants like Walmart and Amazon in technology adoption. The company recently partnered with Instacart to introduce smart carts, called Caper Carts, that use AI and computer vision to identify items shoppers put into them, allowing customers to skip the checkout line. Schnucks’ history of consistent commitment to smart store technology innovation, including the deployment of in-aisle robots, electronic shelf labels, and inventory monitoring systems, sets it apart in the grocery industry.
July 25, 2023
Walmart Business App Serves Small Business and Non-Profit Organizations
Walmart’s Business App is aimed at serving small businesses and non-profit organizations, providing them with tools to save time and money. The app allows members to order office furniture, supplies, technology products, and more, with options for delivery or curbside pick-up at Walmart stores. Additionally, the app offers spending tracking, access to the marketplace, and partnerships with service providers like Angi, making it a valuable resource for small business owners looking to improve efficiency and customer service.
July 19, 2023
How David’s Bridal Went From Bridal-Dress Domination to the ‘Walmart of Weddings’ and Its Second Bankruptcy Filing in 5 Years
David’s Bridal, the largest bridal retailer in the U.S., has experienced a tumultuous journey from its founding in 1950 to its recent second bankruptcy filing. The company initially thrived by offering affordable wedding dresses but faced challenges as the bridal industry evolved and online shopping became popular. David’s Bridal attempted to appeal to higher-end brides and partnered with renowned designer Vera Wang, but it struggled with debt and changing consumer preferences. Following its recent bankruptcy, the company has reached a deal with Cion Investment Corp, which will allow it to continue operating as a scaled-down business with most of its […]
July 14, 2023
Walmart customers kept accidentally buying $49 Walmart+ memberships at self-checkout, forcing the company to abruptly yank a promotion
Walmart has removed a promotion for its Walmart+ membership program from its self-checkout screens after customers accidentally purchased memberships. The company cited “customer confusion” as the reason for pulling the prompt and stated that customers who inadvertently bought the membership at self-checkout without activating it can receive a full refund. The promotion was part of Walmart Plus Week, a sales event aimed at driving new sign-ups for the membership service, which typically costs $98 per year.
July 11, 2023
Amazon has lost market share for the Prime Day shopping holiday it invented. Walmart is setting itself up for a bigger slice of those sales.
Walmart is planning to compete with Amazon Prime Day with a four-day shopping event called Walmart+ Weekend that will take place July 10-13, 2023, and offer discounts on a variety of products, including electronics, home goods, and apparel. Walmart+ members will have early access to the deals, but anyone can take advantage of the discounts after the first day. This event is part of Walmart’s efforts to compete with Amazon Prime Day, one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and it’s not the only retailer trying to compete — Target Circle Week runs from July 9-15, and Best […]
July 5, 2023
Walmart Tests Tiny Stores in Vacation Spots
Walmart is testing tiny stores in popular vacation destinations, far from its traditional big-box format. The stores are called General Markets and are about 1,500 square feet, which is about one-tenth the size of a typical Walmart. They carry a limited selection of products, including snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and beach gear. The first General Market opened in Destin, Florida, in 2021. Since then, Walmart has opened several more stores in popular vacation spots, including Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The company plans to open more General Markets in the coming years. Walmart is testing […]
June 16, 2023
Walmart’s raised fashion profile poses a threat to specialty apparel shops
Walmart has launched clothing lines with celebrity partners like Drew Barrymore and Sofia Vergara. It has also added popular brands such as Chaps, Justice and Reebok to its fashion mix to appeal to the 80 percent of its customers who shopped elsewhere for more expensive clothing. “It is a huge transformation on the apparel side,” said Denise Incandela, vice president of apparel and private brands for the retailer. The changes at Walmart may have a minimal impact on rivals such as Target but may be felt more by smaller specialty clothing retailers. Walmart Fashion To Revolutionize Brand Image But Harms […]
June 14, 2023
Walmart building case-ready beef packing plant in Kansas
Walmart will invest $257 million to build a beef-packing plant in Olathe, KS. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said the new plant, which will create 667 permanent jobs, “will further Walmart’s efforts in creating an end-to-end supply chain for high-quality Angus beef while increasing transparency and capacity in its supply chain to deliver high-quality products for its customers in the Midwest.” Walmart ground beef is a profitable commodity and work on the new plant is set to begin later this year and complete sometime in 2025. During this process, the 330,000-square-foot plant will provide employment to 1,000 people in the areas […]
June 13, 2023
Walmart looks to out-deliver the competition
Walmart is looking to automate the fulfillment of online orders from its vast network of local stores. The retailer finds that more customers are choosing home delivery or pickup at stores as it improves its fulfillment operations. Walmart Express Delivery to Dominate Amazon Once and For All Walmart and Amazon have been neck-to-neck in their rivalry to be at the top of the e-commerce world. Over the last decade, Walmart has been transforming its website into a third-party marketplace platform to the likes of Amazon’s service. Walmart express delivery has been on the rise since the pandemic, and free fast […]
June 5, 2023
Famous celebs helped Walmart associates celebrate annual event
Kevin Hart hosted the 2023 edition of the Walmart Associates Celebration event at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, AR. Shania Twain, John Legend, Snoop Dogg and Pitbull also performed and Marvel stars Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans took the stage to promote new products.
June 1, 2023
Walmart uses AI to inform its security analysts
Walmart has used artificial intelligence technology to find patterns and make sense of the trillions of pieces of data it generates every year. “There’s scale, and then there’s Walmart scale,” said Rob Duhart, Walmart’s deputy chief information security officer. Walmart, which has developed some AI tools in-house, is also looking at generative AI systems to see if it can help them better analyze data using conversational queries.
June 1, 2023
Walmart bumps up pay for pharmacists and opticians
Walmart yesterday said it was increasing wages paid to its 7,700 pharmacists and opticians. Pharmacists will now make an average of more than $140,000 a year. Opticians will now earn more than $22.50 an hour. Walmart also said it was starting a program to help its Vision Center associates gain certification and licensing, leading to higher-paying jobs.
May 31, 2023
Walmart’s support of LBGTQ+ community is nearly identical to Target’s
What will those calling for a boycott of Target over Pride merchandise do when they realize that Walmart sells products with a similar theme and has LBGTQ+ policies in place that are nearly identical to its main competitor? Target and Walmart have received a 100 percent score on The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
May 26, 2023
Walmart adds the University of Arkansas to its free degree program
Walmart has added the University of Arkansas to its list of 26 colleges where employees can earn free degrees through its Live Better U (LBU) program. Participants in the program are promoted at twice the rate of Walmart workers who do not participate.
May 18, 2023
Walmart beats expectations and raises full-year guidance
Walmart posted a 7.4 percent gain in U.S. same-store sales, well above the 5.1 percent gain expected by Wall Street. The company also lifted its annual earnings guidance from $6.10 to $6.20 per share, up from $5.95 to $6.05. “It’s a great time to be a merchant,” said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. “We continue to gain market share in the grocery category, including with higher income and younger shoppers, and we saw good growth in membership income in both (Sam’s Club and Walmart+) businesses.”
May 15, 2023
Analyst expects more from Walmart than Target in 1Q
Michael Lasser, an analyst at UBS, expects Walmart to post 4.5 percent year-over-year growth in same-store sales for its first quarter. Target, he thinks, will only register a 0.5 percent gain. Both companies will have margins pressured as consumers buy lower-margin everyday items rather than more profitable discretionary products.
May 10, 2023
Capital One says Walmart didn’t support its private label credit card
Capital One Financial claims that Walmart is trying to get out of its private label credit card deal after it failed to market the product as agreed. The financial firm alleges in a lawsuit that “Walmart is positioning itself to compete directly with Capital One to provide credit and payment products to Walmart customers.” Walmart has denied the allegations made by Capital One.
May 8, 2023
Walmart says it comes by its everyday low prices honestly
A new study of 589 name-brand grocery items across 34 product categories found that Walmart held its prices steady even as the inflation rate was up 7.5 percent. The retailer said the prices show the effectiveness of its everyday low-price strategy and the systems that support it. Others claim that Walmart’s prices are an indication of the sway it holds over product suppliers who are forced to give it better prices and terms to remain vendors.
May 8, 2023
Walmart appoints Latriece Watkins as chief merchant of its U.S. business
Latriece Watkins is the new chief merchandising officer at Walmart U.S. Ms. Watkins was most recently executive vice president of the Walmart U.S. consumables division.
April 24, 2023
Walmart sells Eloquii plus-size women’s fashion business
Walmart has sold Eloquii to FullBeauty Brands after paying $100 million to acquire the plus-size women’s fashion business in 2018. Industry experts expect Walmart to focus on retail media, business services and other profitable growth opportunities. “Walmart’s product-based businesses will play a decreasing role going forward as a new world of opportunity beckons, much of it tied to Walmart’s growing solutions and services portfolio,” said Carol Spieckerman, president of Spieckerman Retail and a RetailWire BrainTrust panelist.
April 21, 2023
Walmart shareholders to vote on eight proposals at annual meeting
Shareholders will be asked to vote on eight proposals at Walmart’s upcoming annual shareholders’ meeting. An independent review of the retailer’s safety practices connect to gun violence and its relationship with China are among the topics that investors will vote on.
April 17, 2023
Walmart U.S. chief merchandising officer is stepping down
Charles Redfield, a longtime veteran at Walmart, is stepping down as chief merchandising officer of the retailer’s U.S. after just over a year on the job. A replacement has not been named. Mr. Redfield began working as a cashier at Sam’s Club 32 years ago. He led Walmart’s U.S. grocery business starting in 2015 before being named chief merchant last year.
April 13, 2023
Walmart to raise $5 billion in corporate bond deal
Walmart plans to use the $5 billion raised in a corporate bond offering for general corporate purposes. The retailer has at least $4 billion in bonds maturing over the next six months, according to CreditSights.
April 10, 2023
Walmart makes ‘dark store’ argument to limit property tax payments in Michigan
Walmart is making a legal argument in Houghton, MI, that it should pay property taxes based on the value of its land and building and not its business operations. The city disagrees, claiming that Walmart in 2004 agreed to pay future taxes based on favorable terms it gave the retailer to build and open a store there.
April 10, 2023
Walmart becomes grocery leader in the Pittsburgh market
Walmart now has 25 percent of the grocery market share in Pittsburgh, knocking Giant Eagle out of the top slot for the first time in decades. Giant Eagle now has a 21 percent market share, according to Chain Store Guide.
April 7, 2023
Walmart to roll out EV charging stations across the U.S.
Walmart plans to add electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at thousands of stores across the U.S. by 2030. The retailer currently has 1,300 EV fast-charging stations at more than 280 locations. “With a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90 percent of Americans, we are uniquely positioned to deliver a convenient charging option that will help make EV ownership possible whether people live in rural, suburban or urban areas,” wrote Vishal Kapadia, senior vice president of energy transformation at Walmart. “Easy access to on-the-go charging is a game-changer for drivers who have been hesitant to purchase an […]
April 4, 2023
Walmart e-comm warehouse cuts to top 2,000 jobs
Walmart is cutting over 2,000 jobs at five U.S. e-commerce fulfillment centers in California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. The Texas facility will see the most jobs cut with more than 1,000 positions being eliminated. Walmart is working with workers to find employment in other facilities it operates.
April 4, 2023
Walmart leans into grocery as customers cope with inflation
Americans have shifted purchases away from discretionary items to everyday staples. This has increased Walmart’s focus on groceries and other non-discretionary categories. “If customers want more of something and less of something else, we shift our inventory,” said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. “If the economy is strong, our customers have more money and that’s great. If things are tougher, they come to us for value.”
April 3, 2023
Walmart redesigns its website and app
Walmart has redesigned its website and app to use bigger photos, make use of videos and social media content. “When you walk into a store, you get inspired and excited by what you see,” said Tom Ward, Walmart’s chief e-commerce officer. “And so we thought, ‘How do you drive that same inspiration and excitement in our closest store — in our app?’”
April 3, 2023
Dollar General has increased prices faster than Walmart and Kroger
Dollar General has raised prices more quickly than rivals, including Aldi, Kroger and Walmart, as inflation has hit consumer packaged goods, according to Bank of America analysts Robert Ohmes and Kendall Toscano.
March 15, 2023
Walmart finds technology empowering
Donna Morris, chief people officer at Walmart, writes that automation and artificial intelligence advances have raised concerns about technology displacing human workers. Her answer is straightforward. “I know for a fact that a human connection element will always be in demand for our business. Our people have and always will make the difference–just like innovation has and always will play a major role in any successful business. This isn’t an either/or question. Technology and people can work together in pursuit of our purpose to help people save money and live better.”
March 10, 2023
Ranch dressing ice cream is coming to Walmart
Van Leeuwen’s new Hidden Valley Ranch Ice Cream will go on sale at Walmart later this month. Expect the product to get attention on social media as review videos flood TikTok, YouTube and other sites.
March 8, 2023
Walmart expects ad and B2B service sales to lessen dependence on retail
Walmart CFO John David Rainey said that the vast majority of its sales and profits are generated by its store and e-commerce operations. Mr. Rainey expects that ad and B2B service sales will account for a growing percentage of total earnings within five years.
March 7, 2023
Walmart closing remaining stores in Portland
Theft and vandalism in Portland, OR, are among the factors that Walmart said made it impossible to continue operating its two remaining stores in the city.
March 3, 2023
Walmart CEO plans to run the retailer for at least three more years
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon says he will continue leading the company for at least three more years as the retailer works to identify his successor. Mr. McMillon has held the top job at Walmart since 2014.
March 3, 2023
Walmart to open 28 healthcare centers in 2024
Walmart plans to open 28 new healthcare centers in 2024. That will bring the company’s total to 75. Walmart had 32 clinics operating at the end of 20922 and plans to open 17 more this year.
February 27, 2023
Walmart, Home Depot and others try to make sense of macroeconomic conditions
Walmart and Home Depot last week offered forecasts based on expectations that consumers will reign in spending this year. The retailing giants could prove prescient in their outlooks. They could also be way off as American consumers have continued to surprise economists with purchasing staying power.
February 22, 2023
Walmart CEO says retailer is ‘not participating in a recession if there is one’
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that he believes the retailer can help bring inflation down as it keeps a lid on the prices of its private labels and works with brand suppliers to get them to do the same. “Over time, the market works,” Mr. McMillon said. “We believe branded manufacturers and all of our suppliers of all types will have to respond to that market in time.”
February 21, 2023
Walmart tempers outlook following strong holiday quarter
Walmart had a very good Christmas. Same-store sales, excluding fuel, at the retailer’s namesake chain increased 8.3 percent in the fourth quarter and comps at Sam’s Club jumped 12.2 percent. The retailer expects that sales will rise two to 2.5 percent this year with adjusted earnings per share falling between $5.90 and $6.05.
January 30, 2023
Walmart remodels make the chain a more fashionable place to shop
Walmart is remodeling flagship stores with brighter lighting, mannequins and eye-catching displays to drive sales in categories outside of grocery. Alvis Washington, Walmart’s vice president of marketing, store design, innovation and experience, said that customers are responding positively to the remodels. “They appreciate the fact that we’re still true to who we are as Walmart,” he said. “Great prices. But then also we now have these new brands that we’re actually showcasing in inspirational ways.”
January 27, 2023
CVS and Walmart are cutting pharmacy hours
CVS plans to reduce pharmacy hours in roughly two-thirds of its drugstores beginning in March. Walmart in the same month will begin closing its pharmacies at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. at most of its stores. A shortage of pharmacists and techs has forced many retailers to alter their hours of operation in recent years.
January 25, 2023
Walmart raises its minimum wage for hourly workers
Walmart is increasing its minimum hourly wage next month from $12 to $14. The pay raise brings Walmart closer to the minimum hourly wages paid by Amazon.com and Target, which pay $15.
January 13, 2023
Walmart ending single-use plastic bags to get out in front of state laws
Walmart has eliminated single-use plastic bags at its stores in Connecticut, Colorado and New York. The retailer is attempting to get ahead of state laws that would require the chain to end its use of single-use plastic bags and to help achieve its goal of becoming a zero-waste company in the U.S. by 2025.
January 12, 2023
Walmart’s services to be added to Salesforce’s B2B app store
Walmart is teaming up with Salesforce to promote the retailer’s GoLocal Delivery and Store Assist technology and services to other companies. Walmart’s services will be added this spring to Salesforce’s app store for businesses.
2022
70 articles
December 16, 2022
Walmart CEO sees high prices persisting in center store categories
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that grocery inflation is not evenly distributed. “What we’re seeing is that if you take the fresh food categories, commodities, things like proteins, things are starting to move. Chicken right now is more expensive, but beef is down. Fruit and vegetable is in pretty good shape,” he said. “But dry groceries, consumables is where we’re seeing the most stubborn and persistent inflation, mid-double-digit inflation. And we’re not hearing from our suppliers looking forward that’s going to come down soon.”
December 14, 2022
Walmart’s private label cream cheese makes fastest-growing brand list
Walmart’s Great Value cream cheese has been one of the fastest-growing brands of 2022, according to Morning Consult. “The fact that Great Value cream cheese is in our tracker this year… is an interesting confluence of factors that are all part of the story of what we’ve been seeing in terms of food and beverage trends this year,” said Emily Moquin, food and beverage analyst at Morning Consult.
December 9, 2022
Walmart to offer buy now, pay later loans through fintech startup
Walmart plans as early as next year to launch buy now, pay later loans through its “One” fintech startup that was formed with Ribbit Capital.
December 5, 2022
Delivery services face challenges from Walmart, Kroger and Amazon
Large retailers including Walmart, Kroger and Amazon are shifting a larger percentage of their deliveries to their own in-house operations instead of using third parties such as Instacart, DoorDash and Uber.
November 30, 2022
Associate sues Walmart for ignoring gunman’s ‘threatening’ behavior
Donya Prioleau, an associate who works at a Walmart in Chesapeake, VA, has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the company following a deadly shooting at the store last week. Ms. Prioleau, who survived the attack, claims in her suit that she had warned the company months earlier about “bullying, threatening and harassing” behavior by the former manager identified as the gunman in the case. The company said it is reviewing the suit and will respond appropriately in court.
November 23, 2022
Employee kills six at Walmart in Virginia
A disgruntled Walmart worker opened fire, killing six people at a Virginia store before taking his own life. Most of the victims were found inside the store with one outside. At least four people were taken to local hospitals to treat injuries sustained during the attack.
November 21, 2022
Walmart making drone deliveries in 30 minutes
Walmart is testing drones to deliver goods from a preset menu of items in as few as 30 minutes. The retailer’s pilot program is currently being conducted in six states — Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah, and Virginia — with market coverage of four million households.
November 18, 2022
Groceries account for the biggest difference between Walmart and Target’s 3Q results
Walmart outpaced expectations in the third quarter and Target did not. The difference comes down to each chain’s grocery business. Walmart generates 56 percent of its sales from groceries and Target about 20 percent.
November 15, 2022
Walmart agrees to pay $3.1 billion to settle opioid lawsuits
Walmart has reached a deal to pay $3.1 billion to settle opioid lawsuits brought by states and municipalities for its role in the nation’s opioid crisis. The retailer maintains that the settlement is not an admission of guilt. Walmart intends to pay the settlement almost immediately unlike CVS and Walgreens, which will spread payments out over 10 years.
November 15, 2022
Grocery strength gives Walmart confidence to raise its outlook
The news is good at Walmart, which raised its annual forecast after its third-quarter sales increased 2.1 percent in the U.S. “Walmart U.S. continued to gain market share in grocery, helped by unit growth in our food business,” said CEO Doug McMillon. “We significantly improved our inventory position in the third quarter, and we’ll continue to make progress as we end the year.”
November 10, 2022
Judge dismisses Walmart’s new trial request over firing of worker with Down’s syndrome
Walmart did not get the ruling it hoped for in response to its request of a federal judge to grant a new trial following a jury’s decision in a different court that the retailer must pay a former employee with Down’s syndrome $125 million. Walmart was accused of firing the worker instead of adjusting her work schedule. The employee, Marlo Spaeth, worked for 16 years at Walmart. The retailer said it is reviewing its options in the case.
October 24, 2022
Walmart gives a new name to $1B intimates and sleepwear line
Walmart is revamping its top intimates and sleepwear brand. The retailer is replacing its Secret Treasures brand with a new line under the Joyspun name. Secret Treasures rang up $1 billion in sales last year. “It’s a white-hot moment for the intimates category,” said Denise Incandela, executive vice president of apparel and private brands at Walmart U.S. “We wanted to take our leading brand, which was Secret Treasures, and reimagine it to offer the quality and elevated prints and premium design details, as well as a new brand name and colors and packaging and modernize in a way that brings […]
October 17, 2022
FDA rule change clears way for Walmart to sell over-the-counter hearing aids
Walmart is now able to sell hearing aids without the need for a doctor’s prescription due to a rule change made by the Food and Drug Administration. “Offering easy access to OTC hearing aids, something that seems quite small, is a solution that can improve our customers’ health outcomes and their ability to live better and healthier,” said Dr. John Wigneswaran, chief medical officer at Walmart.
October 12, 2022
Walmart to help recruit individuals for clinical trials
Walmart is joining CVS Health and Walgreens in helping to identify and recruit individuals to participate in drug company clinical trials. Walmart Healthcare Research Institute is the retailer’s new healthcare research service.
October 11, 2022
California factory to produce clothing for Walmart
Classic Fashion has opened a new factory in Santa Ana, CA, that will cut and sew apparel only for Walmart. The company, which also supplies Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, JCPenney and Tommy Hilfiger, said the new facility will eventually employ around 350 people. “Investing in local manufacturing creates American jobs, helps small businesses expand and benefits communities like Santa Ana. We are excited to feature Classic Fashion’s American manufactured apparel exclusively in our stores,” said Jason Fremstad Walmart SVP for supplier development and sourcing.
October 4, 2022
Editorial: Walmart needs to ‘get a grip’ for firing worker who smoked weed off the clock
Walmart allegedly fired an employee in New Jersey after he tested positive for marijuana in a pre-employment screening test. The worker in question, Eric Zanetich, had not even reported for his first shift at the chain when he was let go. Marijuana consumption is legal in New Jersey and the state’s law makes clear that employers are prohibited from denying employment or disciplining workers “due to the presence of cannabinoid metabolites” in their bodies because it does not indicate impairment. Companies are permitted to require workers to undergo a drug test if they suspect an employee is impaired on the […]
October 3, 2022
Walmart+ attracts subscribers from up and down the economic ladder
Walmart believes that the value of its Walmart+ subscription is compelling enough to attract larger numbers to the service, even those participating in federal assistance programs. The retailer says that around 25 percent of its current members receive food assistance from the government.
September 27, 2022
Walmart looks to build new relationships on Roblox
Walmart is looking to connect with younger consumers with “Walmart Land” and “Universe of Play” experiences on Roblox. “This is another step of reaching our customers in unexpected ways and in the places where they’re spending their time. We are excited to be one of the first major retailers to do this,” said William White, chief marketing officer of Walmart U.S.
September 16, 2022
Walmart shoppers to pay higher prices for order substitutes
Walmart customers may soon be paying more for items that are substituted for out-of-stock items in their online orders. The retailer has charged customers the lower price of the two items (the one in its inventory and the out-of-stock) when a substitution is required but will soon simply charge the price of the item that is in the final order. “Customers and members will receive updates about this change in the Walmart app at various points in their shopping experience,” the company said in a memo obtained by Business Insider.
September 7, 2022
Opioid trial begins, putting Kroger, Walgreens and Walmart on the defense in New Mexico
The state of New Mexico is suing Kroger, Walgreens and Walmart for failing to police the distribution of prescription opioids to its citizens. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said the three retailers dispensed more than 550 million opioid pills between 2006 and 2019, the equivalent of more than 263 for every person living in the state. The retailers said that their pharmacists exercised their “professional judgment” in distributing the meds and did not “knowingly” fill any prescriptions that were illegitimate.
September 1, 2022
Walmart takes a stake in Angus beef supplier
Walmart is taking a minority stake in Sustainable Beef, a supplier of Angus beef that is led by ranchers and beef producers. Sustainable Beef, which plans to open a processing facility in Nebraska next month, will ship a majority of the beef it processes to the retailer. “Customers continue to tell us one of the biggest points of differentiation is they want to know where it comes from,” said Tyler Lehr, senior vice president of merchandising for deli services, meat and seafood for Walmart U.S. “They like to know and learn a little bit more about it rather than just […]
August 31, 2022
Walmart seeks dismissal of FTC’s money transfer suit
Walmart has filed a motion seeking to dismiss a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit that accuses the company of allowing its money transfer services to be used by scam artists. The retailer said the suit is an “egregious instance of agency overreach.” The suit alleges that Walmart’s failure to secure its money transfer services had allowed “hundreds of millions of dollars” to be stolen from its customers.
August 18, 2022
Federal judge says CVS, Walgreens and Walmart must pay $650 million in opioid case
CVS, Walgreens and Walmart must pay $650 million in damages to Lake and Trumbull counties in Ohio for their part in the opioid crisis there. U.S. District Judge Dan Polster said the retailers had “squandered the opportunity to present a meaningful plan to abate the nuisance.” The retailers are expected to appeal the decision.
August 16, 2022
Walmart gains market share as sales and profits increase
Walmart reported improvements in sales and profits in the second quarter leading to market share gains in grocery and other categories. U.S. same-store sales increased 6.5 percent during the quarter as Walmart posted earnings of $1.77 per share, ahead of the $1.62 expected by analysts.
August 16, 2022
Walmart+ members to get Paramount+ streaming as a perk
Walmart has reached a deal to offer Paramount+ streaming programs to Walmart+ members at no additional charge to their annual or monthly subscription fees. The offer, which begins in April, will allow Walmart+ members to view programs that are part of Paramount+ Essential Plan, which includes ads and original programming such as “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “1883.”
August 2, 2022
Walmart to sell refurbished goods online and in stores
Walmart Restored is a new program from the retailer offering refurbished electronics “online now and in select stores this fall.” The retailer said all products in the program will be inspected and tested. All purchases come with 90-day free returns.
July 29, 2022
Walmart opening first ‘General Store’ at Getaway retreat
Walmart has reached a deal to open mini-stores at Getaway locations around the country. Getaway operates cabin retreats. The first General Store by Walmart will open next month at Getaway Hill Country in Wimberley, TX.
July 26, 2022
Walmart cuts its profit outlook
Walmart lowered its profit outlook for the year, saying that customers have shifted a greater percentage of dollars to buying necessities while reducing electronics and other discretionary items. Markdowns to move merchandise are also serving as a drag on profitability.
July 14, 2022
Canoo won’t sell e-trucks to Amazon after Walmart deal
Walmart agreed to acquire 4,500 electric trucks from Canoo for use in making last-mile deliveries to customers. Canoo needed to agree not to sell any of the vehicles to Amazon for the deal to happen.
July 12, 2022
Walmart adding 4,500 electric home delivery vans to its fleet
Walmart has signed a deal to purchase 4,500 electric vehicles designed for small package delivery. “By continuing to expand our last-mile delivery fleet in a sustainable way, we’re able to provide customers and Walmart+ members with even more access to same-day deliveries while keeping costs low,” said David Guggina, senior vice president of innovation and automation at Walmart U.S.
July 6, 2022
Walmart adding fuel surcharge and ‘collect pickup’ fees to supplier charges
Walmart on Aug. 1 will add fuel and collection charges to transport goods to its warehouses and stores. Some suppliers are complaining because Walmart has not specified the total charges they will be facing.
July 5, 2022
Walmart tries to figure out its response to abortion issue
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company is working on its response to the outlawing of abortion in large parts of the U.S. after the Supreme Court struck down decades of precedent in its decision to overturn Rowe v. Wade. “We are working thoughtfully and diligently to figure out the best path forward, guided by our desire to support our associates, all of our associates,” Mr. McMillon said in a memo to employees. “We will share details on our actions as soon as possible, recognizing that time is of the essence.”
July 5, 2022
Instacart and Walmart Canada team up on virtual c-store
Walmart Now is a new online shop that offers thousands of products from 10 of the retailer’s stores in the Toronto area, promising deliveries in as little as 30 minutes. The concept is currently being piloted to determine if it warrants expansion.
June 29, 2022
FTC accuses Walmart of looking past money transfer fraud
The Federal Trade Commission claims that Walmart failed to protect its customers when they were being defrauded using its money transfer services. The agency said that customers were bilked out of millions of dollars through schemes such as impersonating IRS agents. Walmart called the charges in the civil suit against it “factually flawed and legally baseless.”
June 28, 2022
CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart among pharmacies limiting Plan B pill purchases
The Plan B emergency contraceptive is in short supply following the decision last week by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Rowe v. Wade and end the guaranteed right of women to abortion. Planned Parenthood has advised women against stocking up on emergency contraceptives since the medicines have limited shelf lives.
June 17, 2022
Walmart bringing shoppable ads to Roku’s streaming platform
Walmart and Roku announced a deal to bring shoppable ads to the streaming media company’s platform. “We’re working to connect with customers where they are already spending time, shortening the distance from discovery and inspiration to purchase,” said Walmart CEO William White.
June 17, 2022
Walmart to pay pharmacy techs more
Walmart is raising pay for pharmacy technicians to an average of more than $20 an hour. It will also cover the costs for pharmacy technician certifications. “We are sending a strong signal to pharmacy technicians everywhere that Walmart is serious about attracting top talent and giving them the tools to build a successful career,” the company said.
June 17, 2022
Walmart pulls MyPillow products from store shelves
Walmart has decided to delist MyPillow products from its stores while continuing to sell the brand online. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who has pushed discredited conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election, claims that the retailer’s decision is politically motivated and that he and his company are being canceled. Walmart is MyPillow’s biggest distributor, according to Mr. Lindell.
June 13, 2022
Walmart redesigning stores, upgrading apparel and home to drive margins
Walmart’s first-quarter results were lower than expected as high inventory levels and rising costs cut into its margins. The retailer is hoping that upgrades to its apparel and home offerings will push margins higher for the chain that drives most of its sales with low-margin grocery products.
June 3, 2022
Walmart opening four ‘next gen’ automated fulfillment centers
Walmart is opening four “next generation” fulfillment center. The first will go live this summer in Joliet, IL. David Guggina, Walmart’s senior vice president of automation and innovation, said the warehouses “will be the first of their kind for Walmart, using the powerful combination of people, robotics and machine learning to set an entirely new precedent for us on the speed of fulfillment while continuing to create a positive work environment for our associates.” The new facilities will employ 4,000 workers.
June 2, 2022
Walmart using stores to compete with Amazon online
Walmart is focusing on fulfilling online orders from stores for delivery or pickup. “The store is becoming a shoppable fulfillment center,” said Tom Ward, chief e-commerce officer for Walmart U.S. “And if the store acts like the fulfillment center, we can send those items the shortest distance in the fastest time.”
June 2, 2022
Walmart’s new corporate campus will include a Marriott hotel
Walmart has signed a franchise agreement for Marriott to operate an AC Hotel by Marriott on the retailer’s new headquarters campus in Bentonville, AR. “The purposeful location of the hotel is yet another example of the Walmart campus integrating with the community,” said Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart’s senior vice president of corporate real estate.
May 24, 2022
Walmart pulls Juneteenth ice cream after backlash
Walmart has pulled its Great Value Juneteenth Ice Cream after having been accused of trying to trivialize and seek profits from a connection to a holiday tied to emancipation of Black people from slavery in the U.S. The “Juneteenth holiday marks a celebration of freedom and independence,” Walmart said in a statement. “However, we received feedback that a few items caused concern for some of our customers, and we sincerely apologize.”
May 23, 2022
Walmart deploying robots to all its distribution centers
Walmart in installing robotics and automation technology in all 42 of its distribution centers. The retailer had previously committed to implementing robotics and software automation at 25 of the DCs. The company is partnering with Symbotic LLC.
May 17, 2022
Walmart falls short of earnings expectations as higher costs eat into profits
Walmart reported earnings per share of $1.30, below the $1.48 expected by analysts. The retailer, whose revenue exceeded the consensus, pointed to higher fuel and inventory costs as factors affecting its profitability.
May 16, 2022
Walmart builds store manager talent pipeline
Walmart has created a program to recruit and train college graduates with the goal of putting them in store manager positions within two years. The College2Career, which kicked off with two graduates this spring, is looking to bring in nearly 1,000 applicants by the summer. Participants in the program start off with $65,000 a year guaranteed. Store managers can earn more than $200,000 annually.
May 10, 2022
CVS, Walgreens and Walmart will pay for their roles in opioid crisis
A hearing today in a federal court in Cleveland will determine how much CVS, Walgreens and Walmart have to pay two counties in Ohio (Lake and Trumbull) for failing to take stronger action to help address the opioid crisis. Sixty-one million prescription painkillers were dispensed in Lake County, the equivalent of 265 pills for every resident. Around 80 million pills were dispensed in Trumbull, about 400 for every resident in the county.
May 6, 2022
Kohl’s and Walmart settle deceptive marketing suits
Kohl’s has agreed to pay $2.5 million and Walmart will pay $3 million to settle a U.S. Department of Justice suit claiming that the two companies deceptively marketed products made with bamboo that included other materials.
April 29, 2022
Walmart debuts exclusive activewear and swim brand
Walmart is launching Love & Sports, an activewear and swim brand from the fashion designer Michelle Smith and SoulCycle instructor Stacey Griffith. Ms. Smith, co-founder of the high-end Milly brand, designed the dress worn by Michelle Obama in her Smithsonian portrait. The Love & Sports brand will expand to offer sneakers and handbags in the fall.
April 27, 2022
Walmart offers deeper gas discounts as Walmart+ perk
Walmart has doubled its gas discount for Walmart+ members to 10 cents a gallon and expanded the number of gas stations where discounts are available to 14,000. The retailer sees the perk as a draw for its annual subscription program, which costs $98.
April 13, 2022
Walmart finds new CFO at PayPal
Walmart has hired John Rainey, chief financial officer at PayPal, as its new CFO, effective June 6. Mr. Rainey will replace Walmart’s long-time CFO Brett Biggs. Jefferies analyst Stephanie Wissink said Mr. Rainey’s hiring will prove valuable for Walmart “as a provider of financial services for its customers.”
April 7, 2022
Walmart starts trucker training program, raises pay for drivers
Walmart is launching a new training program for truck drivers in Delaware and Texas. The 12-week program, which will initially be open to supply chain associates working near the training centers, will lead to individuals earning a commercial driver’s license and driving for the retailer. Walmart is also raising pay for drivers who can now earn up to $110,000 working in their first year with the retailer.
April 5, 2022
Walmart disrupts gift card scam to bilk seniors out of millions
Technology developed by Walmart was able to identify and then place a hold on nearly $4 million in gift cards that con artists duped elderly victims into purchasing. The retailer was praised by Department of Justice officials who said that this particular crime only represented a small fraction of the amount consumers are scammed out of every year.
March 28, 2022
Walmart to end cigarette sales in some stores
Walmart is ending sales of cigarettes in some locations including stores in Arkansas, California, Florida and New Mexico, according to people familiar with the situation. The retailer has not yet verified the report.
March 16, 2022
Walmart has ‘help wanted’ sign out for 50K workers
Walmart is looking to add 50,000 workers by the end of April. The company is looking to add associates to stores and its advertising and health/wellness businesses. Walmart added 100,000 employees to its workforce in 2021.
March 15, 2022
Walmart launching tech hubs in Atlanta and Toronto
Walmart plans to hire 5,000 technology associates and open new hubs in Atlanta and Toronto this year. The company’s tech team, which grew 26 percent last year, is looking to add people to fill roles in architecture, cybersecurity, data science, data engineering, development, product management, software engineering and technical program management.
March 10, 2022
Walmart ordered to rehire associate with Down syndrome who was fired
A federal judge has ordered Walmart to rehire a woman with Down syndrome who had been fired from her job at one of the chain’s stores. Walmart must also give her more than $50,000 in back pay and cover jury damages of $300,000. The court turned down the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s request to approve tighter scrutiny of Walmart’s labor practices over the next five years.
March 9, 2022
Walmart associates get Walmart+ membership for free
Walmart associates around the U.S. working in its stores, distribution and fulfillment centers are eligible to receive the company’s Walmart+ free grocery delivery, gas and prescription drug savings program for free. Walmart+ Offers Free Spotify Premium and Memberships for Associates Starting March 8, 2022, all full- and part-time Walmart U.S. associates working in stores, distribution centers, and fulfillment centers are eligible for a free Walmart+ membership. This new benefit is not only a way for Walmart to show appreciation for its associates, but it also allows associates to use the membership and speak to customers about it from personal experience. […]
March 2, 2022
Walmart rolls out try on tech
Walmart is rolling out Chose My Model, a virtual try on technology developed by its Zeekit group. The retailer acquired Zeekit in May. “Everything comes back to providing the customer with the confidence to make that purchase,” said Denise Incandela, executive vice president of apparel and private brands for Walmart U.S. “We want to have a best in class shopping experience online and we feel like this is shopping of the future and we wanted to lead the way.”
February 23, 2022
Walmart says COVID-19 vaccines went to the ‘medically underserved’ areas
Walmart has issued a COVID-19 vaccine report that found that 80 percent of the shots administered by the retailer’s pharmacies were done in “medically underserved” areas of the country. The retailer said its “Get Out the Vaccine” campaign made use of partnerships in local communities to establish the need for residents to protect themselves.
February 22, 2022
Brandon Maxwell clothing lines are designed to make Walmart fashionable
Walmart is debuting spring collections designed by Brandon Maxwell under its Free Assembly and Scoop brands. The retailer is looking to raise its fashion profile and drive higher margin purchases to balance the 60 percent of its business connected to grocery sales.
February 17, 2022
Walmart focused on helping customers beat inflation
Walmart reported a slight gain in quarterly revenue as the company saw traffic to its stores and website increase 3.1 percent. Walmart’s earnings per share of $1.53 topped the $1.50 expected by Wall Street analysts. CFO Brett Biggs said the retailer was confident in its position going forward. “We know that consumers are focused on inflation, and we’re continuing to watch key item pricing to ensure that we help them through this,” he said. “This type of environment plays to our strengths.”
February 16, 2022
Walmart’s reusable tote bags are part of zero waste pledge
Walmart is testing reusable tote bags in its InHome direct-to-fridge delivery service. The test is part of the company’s initiatives to reach net zero waste in its U.S. and Canadian operations by 2025.
February 9, 2022
Americans prefer to do their online grocery shopping on Walmart.com
More than one-third of Americans prefer to do their online grocery shopping with Walmart, according to a new survey by Chicory. Twenty percent said they favor Amazon or Instacart.
January 25, 2022
Walmart plants a stake in vertical farming
Walmart has taken an unspecified stake in Plenty, making it the first large retailer in the U.S. to make a significant investment in indoor vertical farming. Walmart will be represented on Plenty’s board. Plenty, which was founded in 2014, operates a vertical farm in South San Francisco and an indoor plant science center in Laramie, WY. The retailer will begin selling Plenty’s leafy greens in its stores later this year.
January 21, 2022
Walmart’s e-comm leader is leaving, replacement announced
Casey Carl, who has led the e-commerce business for Walmart U.S. since taking over in 2020 for Marc Lore, is leaving the company at the end of February. He is being replaced by Tom Ward, the retailer’s senior Vice President of last-mile delivery.
January 18, 2022
Walmart seeks patents to make and sell virtual goods
Walmart is among the retailers and brands looking at opportunities in cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse. The retailing giant filed in December for new trademarks that it plans to use for making and selling virtual goods.
January 10, 2022
Recall issued for ground beef sold by Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart and WinCo
More than 28,000 pounds of ground beef processed by Interstate Meat Dist. Inc. of Clackamas, OR, is being recalled over concerns it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The products were sold under the private labels of grocers including Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart and WinCo Foods in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
January 7, 2022
Walmart cuts paid leave time for workers with COVID-19
Walmart is cutting paid leave from two weeks to one for associates who have to quarantine for COVID-19 either due to testing positive for the virus or having come in close contact with someone who was ill. The retailer is taking the action to align with new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
January 5, 2022
Walmart and Kroger no longer selling COVID testing kits ‘at cost’
Walmart and Kroger have raised the price of at-home COVID-19 test kits after a three-month agreement with the White House to sell the products “at cost” expired last month. The retailers had held the line on prices even as demand increased with the spread of the Omicron variant. “We have seen significant demand for at home Covid-19 testing kits and are working closely with our suppliers to meet this demand and get the needed product to our customers,” said a Walmart spokesperson.
2021
65 articles
December 30, 2021
COVID outbreak forces temporary closure at NJ Walmart
The number of infected workers at the Walmart store in Linden, NJ, remained unclear as of yesterday — described in a news report as “dozens” and by one unconfirmed worker report as over 90 — but the outbreak was serious enough to prompt Walmart management to follow “an ongoing company-initiated program … for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store.” The store reportedly closed to shoppers on Tuesday evening and remained so yesterday for cleaning and restocking.
December 21, 2021
California sues Walmart, alleging dumping of hazardous waste
According to California’s complaint against Walmart, for the last six years, the retailer has been illegally disposing of such hazard materials as lithium batteries, pesticides and cleaning supplies at landfills in the state, a practice that can cause leaching into groundwater. “We have met with the state numerous times and walked them through our industry-leading hazardous waste compliance programs in an effort to avoid litigation. Instead, they filed this unjustified lawsuit,” said Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove.
December 3, 2021
Walmart extends COVID leave policy to next year
Walmart is extending its COVID leave policy through March 31, 2022 and offering a $150 incentive for frontline associates to get fully vaccinated. “Associates are the heart of our company, and their efforts to serve our customers and members throughout the pandemic have been truly amazing,” wrote Donna Morris, chief people officer of Walmart, in a blog post. “As they continue to focus on making the holidays merry and bright for customers during this busy season, we are keeping a close eye on emerging COVID-19 variants.”
November 23, 2021
Walmart’s drone delivery pilot takes off
Walmart is delivering goods such as canned tuna and disposable diapers via drone to some areas around the state of Arkansas. A delivery fee of $10 is included in deliveries weighing four pounds or less.
November 16, 2021
Walmart raises forecast, looks forward to strong holiday performance
Walmart said it expects a same-store sales gain in the U.S. of over six percent for the full year, up from its previous guidance of a five to six point gain. The retailer expects a strong holiday quarter with inventory levels up 11.5 percent. It also reported gains in grocery market share in the most recent quarter as consumers came to its stores looking for deals in the face of rising inflation.
November 10, 2021
President Biden speaks with Target and Walmart CEOs about supply chain progress
President Joe Biden spoke yesterday with the CEOs of Target, Walmart, UPS and FedEx about ongoing supply chain challenges facing the companies and the nation. The companies, according to Mr. Biden, expressed confidence in their ability to meet demand during the holiday season.
November 4, 2021
Kroger delivers subscription plan to compete with Amazon Prime and Walmart+
Kroger is launching a subscription program that will offer members free deliveries and double gas points. The program, called Kroger Boost, is being rolled out in the Atlanta, Cincinnati, Columbus, OH, and Indianapolis markets. Customers paying $99 a year will get free delivery in as little as two hours, and a $59 membership offers free delivery within 24 hours on orders of $35 or more.
October 25, 2021
Walmart to bring corporate workers back to their offices
Walmart announced that corporate employees will begin returning to their offices the week of Nov. 8. “We had a way of working before the pandemic and we developed an effective way of working during the pandemic. Now, I’m excited about our new, more flexible way of working,” said Donna Morris, the retailer’s chief people officer. All workers returning to their offices must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical accommodation. Walmart said the vast majority of workers have been vaccinated.
October 21, 2021
Walmart’s stores help it gain digital ground on Amazon
The convenience of Walmart’s pickup services at its thousands of U.S. stores is seen by consumers as a key differentiator with Amazon.com. Walmart’s year-over-year online growth has outpaced that of Amazon in recent years, although its total online sales are just a fraction of Amazon’s.
October 18, 2021
Walmart+ subscribers to get early access to Black Friday deals
Walmart is bringing back its “Black Friday Deals for Days” for the month of November. Members of the chain’s Walmart+ subscription program will get a four hours head start on the deals online.
October 13, 2021
White House says Walmart and others going 24/7 to fix supply chain mess
Business leaders, including Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner, are meeting with President Joe Biden to discuss ways to relieve current supply bottlenecks that are keeping goods from getting to consumers. “The supply chain is essentially in the hands of the private sector, so we need the private sector to step up to help solve these problems. [T]hree of the largest goods carriers in the country, Walmart, FedEx, and UPS, will make commitments towards moving to 24/7, working during off peak hours,” said a senior administration official. Home Depot, Samsung and Target are also reported to be planning to do the […]
October 11, 2021
Walmart and Netflix team up for online store
Walmart announced today that it has launched the Netflix Hub on walmart.com to feature such products as Stranger Things action figures, Squid Game apparel and other merchandise. “We love it when stories transcend screens and become part of people’s lives,” said Josh Simon, vice president, consumer products at Netflix. “Walmart gave us the opportunity to deliver a shopping experience that sets a new level of innovation for the entertainment consumer products space.”
October 6, 2021
Walmart shuffles operations leadership
Chris Nicholas, who previously served as the chief financial officer for Walmart U.S., has been named the new chief operations officer for the business. Dacona Smith, who has been COO, is now executive vice president and chief operations officer of Walmart’s U.S. stores. Mr. Smith will report to Mr. Nicholas in their new roles.
September 29, 2021
Walmart looking to add 150K workers, including 20K permanent supply chain jobs
Walmart is planning to give its existing workers extra hours heading into the holiday season and add 150,000 new employees for the holiday season in both full- and part-time roles. The retailer said it is looking to add 20,000 to its permanent payroll in supply chain jobs.
September 27, 2021
Walmart seeks to reinvent its beauty business with small and multicultural brands
Musab Balbale, merchandising vice president for Walmart U.S. Beauty, has been given the task of reinventing the retail giant’s beauty business. “It’s such a rapidly changing category between indie brands and heritage brands,’ Mr. Balbale said. “Definitely, the pandemic has changed things. Beauty certainly was one of the first categories we saw come back. After the initial shutdown, people were focused on their appearance, whether it was teeth whiteners or lipstick. Beauty can be a small indulgence.”
September 15, 2021
Walmart+ sees memberships pick up
A research note published by Deutsche Bank says that the Walmart+ membership program has picked up the pace of new members with the total count having grown to an estimated 32 million U.S. households. About 86 percent of Walmart+ members have also subscribed to Amazon Prime. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the retailer is focused on building the program by focusing on the customer experience. “The worst thing we could do is to really aggressively market this, get a bunch of members that are disappointed because they can’t get a slot or they don’t get the right in-stock level or […]
September 10, 2021
Walmart ends quarterly bonuses after raising hourly pay
Walmart is ending its practice of paying quarterly bonuses to hourly workers, having recently raised the wages it pays workers. The retailer will end bonus pay beginning on Jan. 31, 2022. The average worker at Walmart now earns $16.40 an hour, according to the retailer, which will up its minimum wage to $12 an hour beginning on Sept. 25.
September 3, 2021
In tight competition for workers, Walmart gives $1 per hour raise to 565,000 associates
Walmart will hike wages by $1 per hour for over a half million of its 1.2 million store associates, effectively raising the average hourly wage for Walmart’s U.S. store associates is $16.40. “Effective Sept. 25, associates in the Frontend, Food & Consumable and General Merchandise work groups will receive at least a $1 an hour raise. … It’s our third wage investment in store associates over the past year,” U.S. CEO John Furner wrote in a letter.
September 1, 2021
Walmart prepares for holiday rush, hiring 20,000
The country’s biggest private employer plans to add 20,000 supply chain workers to its ranks as it gears up for the 2021 holiday shopping season. Walmart will fill a variety of positions, both full- and part-time, to handle everything from order picking to freight loading.
August 24, 2021
Walmart launches local delivery-as-a-service business
Walmart is launching its own local service to deliver orders for other businesses. The new GoLocal strategy will put the retailing giant in direct competition with DoorDash, Uber and other similar services. The company said it has already signed a number of deals with both small businesses and national clients. The service, which uses independent contractors as drivers, will begin within a few months.
August 17, 2021
Walmart posts gains as customers shop in stores
Sales performance for Walmart’s U.S. business was up 5.3 percent in the latest quarter, as grocery comps rose 6.6 percent and online, including grocery, grew by 6.6 percent. Sam’s Club posted a 14 percent year-over-year increase in revenues. “We grew market share in U.S. grocery, added thousands of new sellers to our marketplace, rapidly grew advertising businesses around the world and we’re finding innovative new ways to commercialize our data and build technology,” Doug McMillion, president and chief executive officer of Walmart, said in a statement.
August 6, 2021
Walmart paying warehouse workers to put off vacations as holidays near
Walmart is paying warehouse workers weekly bonuses to skip their August vacations as the retailer seeks to ramp up for the upcoming Christmas holidays selling season. Bonuses, which appear to apply to most if not all 190 Walmart warehouses in the U.S., have been between $200 and $500 in extra pay a week.
August 2, 2021
Walmart says corporate and management-level workers must get COVID-19 vaccine
Walmart has decided that its corporate staff and management-level employees must get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. The company has also begun a phased-in approach to bringing employees back to the office who have been working remotely during the pandemic.
July 28, 2021
Walmart will pay for associates to go to college
Walmart announced it will cover 100 percent of its associates’ cost for tuition and text books as part of college degree and certificate program with academic partners including the University of Arizona and Southern New Hampshire University.
July 16, 2021
Walmart is testing a completely self-checkout store
A Walmart Supercenter in Plano, TX, is the site of a pilot program where the retailer is testing the exclusive use of self-checkouts. Store associates are positioned nearby to help customers having any problems checking out. Kroger is also testing a self-checkout concept at one of its stores in Dallas.
July 15, 2021
Justice makes a comeback at Walmart
Walmart will sell 140 items from the Justice brand in 2,400 stores across the U.S and on walmart.com. The line, which includes tween-focused clothing, accessories, bath, bedding, jewelry and other items, marks a comeback for Justice. The brand closed all 826 of its stores last year as part of former parent company Ascena Retail Group’s bankruptcy proceedings. “We think customers will be excited that Justice is back and at a much broader scale,” Denise Incandela, Walmart executive vice president of apparel and private brands, said. “It’s the same quality that parents and girls have come to trust — now at […]
July 12, 2021
Walmart’s Flipkart raises $3.6B in latest funding round
Walmart’s Flipkart has raised $3.6 billion in a new funding round, bringing its valuation up to $37.6 billion. The Indian e-commerce company was acquired by Walmart for $16 billion in 2018. The U.S. retailer will hold about three-quarters of Flipkart’s shares after the funding round is complete.
July 9, 2021
Walmart’s Black managers wouldn’t recommend working for the retailer
Fifty-six Black supervisors, senior managers and directors employed by Walmart were asked to rate the company as an employer in a internal survey. A majority gave the retailer an unfavorable review. “Hiring, developing, and retaining diverse talent is a top priority for Walmart,” a company spokesperson said. “While we are proud of the progress we have made, we are always looking at our own systems and processes with a critical eye for ways we can do even more.”
July 1, 2021
Walmart offers space for skills training for non-employees in Chicago
Walmart has opened a new Walmart Academy training site outside of a store on Chicago’s South Side that was damaged in civil unrest tied in the city last year. The academy offers training for Walmart employees and is also making space available for non-employee locals to train for jobs outside the company and take classes on subjects such as preparing for job interviews.
June 29, 2021
Walmart’s private label insulin helps diabetics stay healthy and save money
Walmart has launched its first-ever private brand insulin to help diabetics afford the medicine critical to controlling their blood sugar levels. Walmart’s private label insulin is priced between 58 percent and 75 percent that of branded alternatives on the market.
June 28, 2021
Gap Home goes on sale at Walmart
Walmart and Gap have launched Gap Home, an exclusive line of bedding, bath and other home-related products, on Walmart.com/GapHome. The line of 400 items will be made from materials that Gap uses in its clothing products including denim, chambray, organic cotton and recycled materials.
June 28, 2021
Amazon and Walmart accused of predatory pricing practices in India
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that Amazon.com and Walmart are disregarding local laws and indulging in predatory pricing practices that put that nation’s mom-and-pop retailers at risk. “I’ve had several engagements with these large companies, particularly the American ones, and I can see a little bit of arrogance,” Mr. Goyal said.
June 18, 2021
Walmart will drone on with latest investment
Walmart has made an investment in DroneUp after conducting a pilot program last year with the company to air deliver COVID-19 test kits. “The trial demonstrated we could offer customers delivery in minutes versus hours. Now, after safely completing hundreds of drone deliveries from Walmart stores, we’re making an investment in DroneUp to continue our work towards developing a scalable last-mile delivery solution,” Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner wrote on the retailer’s blog.
June 8, 2021
GNC and Walmart sign distribution deal
A curated selection of GNC vitamins and supplements will be sold in Walmart stores as part of a wholesale agreement reached by the two companies. The deal with Walmart will give GNC access to consumers it doesn’t currently reach in its stores or online. GNC expects to expand the products it sells in Walmart going forward.
June 4, 2021
Walmart debuts new app for workers, gives 774,000 associates free smartphones
Walmart is rolling out Me@Walmart, a new mobile app for associates intended to “simplify daily tasks, serve our customers and plan for life outside of work.” The retailer is also giving free Samsung smartphones to 774,000 associates for access to the app on the job. Walmart associates will be able to use the phones for personal use outside of work but will be restricted while working on their shifts.
June 4, 2021
Walmart expanding store hours and keeping senior hours
Walmart is easing capacity restrictions and opening its stores earlier (6:00 a.m.) as concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus lessen. The retailer will continue to offer a senior shopping hour before opening to other shoppers on Tuesday mornings.
May 27, 2021
Walmart CEO says more work to be done on racial equity
Walmart is among the retailers and brands that have stepped up efforts to address racial bias and provide opportunities for its employees and vendors. “The structures of systemic racism are complex and deeply ingrained in society,” said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. “There are no simple answers to these challenges. There’s always more to do and so leaders need to ask themselves and their organizations if they can be doing more. And we must continue to go forward with a sense of urgency.”
May 25, 2021
Walmart says ‘bad actor’ created fake accounts to send racist emails
Dozens of people went on Twitter to complain about receiving emails from a Walmart account that contained a racial slur. The emails, which contained a “Welcome to Walmart” subject line, were from an “external bad actor” who intended to “offend our customers,” according to Molly Blakeman, a spokesperson for the retailer. “We were shocked and appalled to see these offensive and unacceptable emails. We’re looking into our sign-up process to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again,” said Ms. Blakeman.
May 20, 2021
Target and Walmart testing local package delivery
Target and Walmart are separately testing home package deliveries a la Amazon.com at a time when traditional carriers like FedEx, United Parcel Service and the U.S. Postal Service are straining under demand caused by the continuing growth in online sales. Target has been using third-party drivers working with its Shipt service to make deliveries in its home city of Minneapolis. Walmart has been using electric vans since January to make deliveries in areas near the company’s headquarters.
May 19, 2021
Walmart pushes its pricing advantage with more ‘rollbacks’
Walmart increased the number of price rollbacks in the first quarter by about 30 percent compared to last year. The retailing giant is looking to push its price advantage at a time when product prices have risen simultaneously with the return of shoppers to stores in bigger numbers.
May 18, 2021
Walmart beats high expectations, raises its forecast
Walmart posted a 6.2 percent gain in same-store sales during the first quarter as its e-commerce business grew 37 percent. The retailer also raised its sales and earnings outlook for the year. “We have a strong position as our store environment improves and e-commerce continues to grow,” McMillon added. “Stimulus in the U.S. had an impact, and the second half has more uncertainty than a typical year. We anticipate continued pent-up demand throughout 2021.”
May 17, 2021
Walmart, Target, Costco and others lift mask mandates
Walmart, Target, Costco, Trader Joe’s and other retailers are ending requirements that all customers and associates wear masks in their stores following an announcement last week by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people who are fulling vaccinated against COVID-19 can congregate indoors with having to wear face coverings.
May 13, 2021
Walmart acquires virtual fitting room tech
Walmart announced that it will acquire Zeekit, a virtual fitting room company, with the goal of enhancing its fashion image and growing sales. “Virtual try-on is a game-changer and solves what has historically been one of the most difficult things to replicate online — understanding fit and how an item will actually look on you,” said Denise Incandela, Walmart U.S.’s executive vice president of apparel and private brands. “Zeekit will help us deliver an inclusive, immersive and personalized experience for our diverse customer base.” Walmart has added more apparel choices to its website and has been expanding its owned brands. […]
April 27, 2021
Walmart remains opposed to $15 minimum wage
Walmart has seen the public’s perceptions of the company improve as it has increased pay and educational and medical benefits for its workers, but the world’s largest retailer’s opposition to raising the federal minimum wage to $15 has some questioning if its labor-friendly initiatives are just window dressing. The retailer, which has consistently claimed that its average wage for hourly associates is above the $15 number, says that its approach needs to be viewed through a different lens. “It’s very important to understand that Walmart offers careers, not just jobs, because we’re investing in our associates’ long-term success through a […]
April 27, 2021
Best Buy, McD’s and Walmart give ex-cons a second chance
Participants in the Second Chance Business Coalition, including Best Buy, McDonald’s and Walmart, are willing to give ex-convicts jobs. The initiative is seen as a win-win-win as the program helps individuals turn their lives around, addresses labor shortages and society receives the resulting benefits.
April 14, 2021
Amazon and Target push back on voting restrictions, Walmart passes
The list of companies that have signed onto a statement opposing laws that would, many argue, restrict the access of American citizens to the ballot box has grown into the hundreds and includes Amazon.com and Target. “For American democracy to work for any of us, we must ensure the right to vote for all of us,” the statement reads. Walmart was not among those signing the statement. CEO Doug McMillon, in an internal memo to employees, wrote that the company is “not in the business of partisan politics,” while adding, “we do want to be clear that we believe broad […]
April 14, 2021
Walmart grows its marketplace as it chases Amazon
Walmart’s online marketplace grew to around 70,000 sellers last year as the retailing giant increased services and offered third-party merchants and brands an alternative to Amazon.com. The number of sellers on Walmart Marketplace is expected to grow another 14 percent by the end of next year, according to MarketPulse.
April 9, 2021
McDonald’s closing hundreds of restaurants inside Walmart
McDonald’s is closing hundreds of its restaurants located inside of Walmart stores, leaving only 150 of what had once been about 1,000 in operation.
March 25, 2021
Walmart picks up market share against Harris Teeter in Charlotte
Walmart accounted for 21.1 percent of grocery store purchases in the Charlotte, NC, market last year compared to Harris Teeter, which held a 16.5 percent of the market. The nation’s biggest retailer surpassed Harris Teeter, a company founded in the state and now owned by Kroger, as the top grocer in the Charlotte area back in 2011. Food Lion came in third with a 15.6 percent share of market.
March 22, 2021
DoorDash drivers not finding Walmart deliveries to be very rewarding
Walmart is using DoorDash as one of its third-party delivery service providers in markets across the U.S. Drivers working for DoorDash are not altogether happy with the experience. Many complain about long wait times to get orders to be delivered and low tips paid by customers. Drivers who normally make restaurant deliveries for DoorDash say they can make more money doing that than handling orders from Walmart.
March 22, 2021
Walmart opening online marketplace to non-U.S. sellers
Walmart.com, which previously limited its marketplace to U.S.-based third party sellers, is opening up to those from outside the country. “We have strong relationships with many reputable companies around the world and we have some of the most rigorous seller requirements in the industry,” Walmart said in a statement. “As a result, we are opening our U.S. marketplace to a limited number of international companies who share our commitment to customer trust and safety.”
March 18, 2021
Walmart to make COVID-19 digital vaccine records available for customers
Anyone receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at a Walmart or Sam’s Club location will be able to access a digital record of the event. Customers of the two chains can create digital accounts to access their prescription history and vaccine status. The data will be stored on their proprietary apps and approved third-party apps.
March 11, 2021
Walmart converting a supercenter into a dark store
Walmart is converting a supercenter in North Dallas to an online order fulfillment center after the retailer closes the store to the public on March 30. The location will offer home delivery and pickup for orders placed online.
March 4, 2021
Walmart pledges more support for made or assembled in the USA products
Walmart has pledged an additional $350 billion over 10 years to purchase products made, assembled or grown in America. “U.S. manufacturing really matters,” John Furner, chief executive of Walmart U.S., said in a statement. “More businesses are choosing to establish their manufacturing operations in the United States, and the result is more jobs for Americans — a lot more jobs.”
February 25, 2021
Walmart adding BigCommerce customers to its online marketplace
Walmart and BigCommerce have partnered to allow the online platform’s customers to sell on the retailer’s site. The deal is similar to one that Walmart inked with Shopify last year.
February 19, 2021
Walmart CEO says customers spend money on necessities with stimulus checks
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said Americans are in urgent need of another federal government stimulus check as many continue to suffer as a result of the pandemic. Mr. McMillon said that Walmart has seen customers spending money on necessities, such as groceries, and not on items like big-screen TVs.
February 18, 2021
Walmart to give workers raises after a very merry Christmas
Walmart reported an 8.6 percent increase in same-store sales for the fourth quarter with online sales growing 69 percent year-over-year. The retailer also announced that it would raise wages for about 425,000 associates working in digital and stocking positions. Employees in those roles will see their pay increase to within a range of $13 to $19 an hour, depending on location.
February 17, 2021
Walmart’s investors see ad revenues and healthcare boosting growth
Investors in Walmart stock believe its approach to expanding its business revenues through ad sales, digital payments, healthcare and merchant services will continue to buoy performance even during times when retail sales are tepid. “These new elements of the ecosystem are more profitable than traditional retail and collectively should help strengthen its relationship with customers and generate profitable market share gains,” wrote Telsey Advisory analyst Joseph Feldman in a note.
February 11, 2021
Walmart and Oracle’s deal for TikTok is on hold
The deal for Walmart and Oracle to acquire TikTok’s business in the U.S. is on hold, perhaps permanently, as the Biden administration conducts a review of national security risks associated with foreign-own apps.
February 9, 2021
Walmart adding c-store and gas pumps to supercenter
Walmart is adding an eight pump fuel station and a convenience store in the parking lot of a Supercenter in Sacramento County in California. The concept is part of a broader company strategy to make shopping at Walmart more convenient for its customers. Walmart began piloting the c-store/gas concept in 2017 at a location in Arkansas and another in Texas.
February 2, 2021
Former Walmart U.S. CEO says CPG industry has big role in economic rebound
Former Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon told attendees of the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s virtual conference that they have a significant role to play in bringing back the American economy. “We have a very consumer-driven economy. It really means when retail and packaged goods do well, everybody does well. We’re going to have to lead the way through this transition and this recovery from the [COVID-19] shutdown and everything that the virus has brought,” he said.
February 1, 2021
Walmart offering free grocery delivery in limited-time promo
Walmart is offering to deliver on three separate grocery orders for purchases of $50 or more from around 3,000 of its stores across the U.S. The retailer’s stores offering delivery cover about 68 percent of the U.S. population.
January 28, 2021
Walmart planning big push to grow ad sales
Walmart plans to add space for advertising in its stores as part of its plan to grow its ad sales tenfold over the next five years. “This is about us really digging in and pivoting the business from one which was really focused on search and display with our biggest suppliers,” said Walmart chief customer officer Janey Whiteside. “We want to continue to do that, leverage our physical properties, and find ways to help advertisers make better use of their dollars.”
January 21, 2021
Walmart CEO says regional economics should factor into minimum wage hikes
Walmart CEO Doug McMillion agrees that the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is too low. Going all the way up to $15, however, could disadvantage small businesses that would be hard pressed to keep employees on and compete with that labor cost. Mr. McMillion, speaking at a Business Roundtable event, said he favored a higher minimum wage plan that took “geographic differences” into account. Walmart pays different starting wages to workers depending on where they live.
January 13, 2021
Walmart suspending donations to lawmakers who voted against certifying the election
Walmart is among the companies that have decided to suspend political donations to candidates for office who voted against certifying the results of the November presidential election last week. The retail giant’s political action committee donated $1.65 million last year, according to Open Secrets.
2020
69 articles
December 4, 2020
Walmart paying hourly associates one-time bonus
Walmart will pay full-time hourly workers in the U.S. a one-time bonus on Dec. 24 of $300 and part-timers $150. The bonus will be the fourth the retail giant will pay out this year. Critics of the chain say the bonuses do not sufficiently reward hourly workers for pay rates that are below significant retail competitors.
December 3, 2020
Walmart CEO says retailer is focused on growing Walmart+ subscriptions
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon is well aware that growing membership numbers for its Walmart+ same- and next-day home delivery subscription program will require more attention be made to customer service details. The retailer has dropped its $35 purchase minimum for deliveries after it “heard loud and clear from customers that had purchased a Walmart+ membership that they didn’t expect to have a minimum for e-commerce orders,” he said.
November 30, 2020
Walmart says its Cyber Monday sale will be its ‘biggest’ yet
Scott McCall, chief merchandising officer for Walmart, said this year’s Cyber Monday event will offer the company’s “biggest and best Cyber Monday savings to-date.” The retailer, according to Mr. McCall, is ready to fulfill what it expects to be a record number of online orders for the sales promotion. “We know it will be another example of what we do best — offering customers convenient ways to shop for the best gifts at amazingly low prices,” he said.
November 20, 2020
Walmart delivering live trees and hanging lights for Christmas
Walmart is joining Home Depot, Lowe’s and Williams Sonoma in delivering live Christmas trees to the homes of customers. It is also offering to hang lights and take them down following Christmas. The cost for light installation is $129 for a single-story home and $199 for two stories. Taking the lights down will cost $99 to $159, depending on the size of the home.
November 18, 2020
Walmart experiences inventory shortages in cleaning supplies, t-paper
Shoppers are stocking up on products such as cleaning supplies and toilet paper as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the U.S. has skyrocketed in recent weeks. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said out-of-stock levels are not where they were in the spring, but that it was still “disappointing” to see “as many out-of-stocks as we have in consumables right now generally.”
November 17, 2020
Walmart surpasses high 3Q expectations
Walmart posted a 6.4 percent gain in same-store sales, above the 3.9 percent consensus, and earning per share came in at $1.34, above the $1.18 that analysts were expecting. The retailer saw online sales jump 79 percent during the quarter. “We’re convinced that most of the behavior change will persist beyond the pandemic and that our combination of strong stores and emerging digital capabilities will be a winning formula,” said CEO Doug McMillon on Walmart’s earnings call.
November 17, 2020
Walmart CEO latest to congratulate Joe Biden on his electoral victory
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon joined other business leaders who have acknowledged Joe Biden’s recent victory at the polls, even though President Donald Trump continues to contest the results. Mr. McMillon is a member of the Business Roundtable, a group of top CEOs from around the U.S., that last week offered its congratulations to President-elect Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris.
November 16, 2020
Walmart to limit customers in stores and items they can buy
Walmart has announced it is counting the number of customers in its stores to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. The retailer is also placing quantity limits on items such as toilet paper to prevent the hoarding that took place when the pandemic first broke out in the U.S. earlier this year.
November 16, 2020
Walmart’s Seiyu sale will reduce its presence in Japan
Walmart is largely stepping away from the Japanese market with its sale of Seiyu for $1.65 billion to KKR and Rakuten. The retailer will retain a 15 percent stake in the chain after the transaction is complete. Walmart said it expects to book a non-cash loss of about $2 billion as a result of the sale.
November 13, 2020
Kroger, Target and Walmart see online ads as profit drivers
Kroger, Target and Walmart are among the retailers that see opportunities to drive ad sales as brands promote their products on e-commerce sites and on apps. Amazon.com has turned ads on its online platform as a major revenue and profit driver for the company.
November 12, 2020
Walmart sells pet insurance
Walmart is selling Petplan insurance to its customers and helping them find pet sitters and dog walkers through Rover. “We’re focused on bringing our customers and the beloved pets in their lives trusted, convenient and affordable programs at one destination,” said Melody Richard, vice president of Walmart pets.
November 4, 2020
Walmart discussing smart TV deal with Comcast
Walmart and Comcast are talking about a plan to develop and sell a line of smart television sets. The TVs would run on Comcast software and the retailer would get a share of recurring revenue from the cable giant in return.
November 2, 2020
Walmart returns firearms to store shelves
Walmart is returning firearms and ammo to store shelves after removing the products as a “precaution” against social unrest following protests in Philadelphia that erupted after the shooting of a Black man in the city. Gun and ammunition sales have jumped in recent months in response to novel coronavirus stay-at-home orders, racial unrest and protests across much of the U.S.
October 30, 2020
Walmart pulling guns and ammo off store floors
Walmart has said that it is pulling firearms and ammunition from sales floors in some stores due to isolated cases of “civil unrest’ in some cities around the U.S. The retailer will continue to sell the items in the stores where it has moved them as a precautionary measure.
October 29, 2020
Walmart converting four stores into ‘phygital’ laboratories
Walmart is turning four stores into laboratories to test ways to blend its physical locations with its digital capabilities. The retailer has designated two stores near its headquarters in Arkansas as locations for the tests with two others to be announced. Associates in the lab stores will have access to new tools, such as an app that uses artificial technology to scan multiple boxes in the backroom rather than just one at a time.
October 23, 2020
Walmart sues, says DOJ and DEA are passing the opioid buck
Walmart is suing the government in a preemptive step to avoid paying a penalty for the alleged role its pharmacies are playing in the nation’s opioid crisis. Walmart is arguing in its suit that the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency lacked both the regulatory and enforcement wherewithal to stop the spread and are instead looking to make the retailer the fall guy for their failings.
October 23, 2020
Walmart takes steps towards becoming a ‘regenerative’ company
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the retailer has “decide to step up” in a variety of environmental and social ways, including moving toward a zero-waste future and powering its business entirely with renewable energy.
October 22, 2020
Kroger and Walmart to sell Chick-fil-A’s sauces
Chick-fil-A announced that its signature and Polynesian Sauces will be available in 16-ounce bottles at Kroger, Publix, Walmart and other retail grocery stores. The chicken chain said that 100 percent of the royalties from the sales of the sauces will go to a scholarship fund for the restaurant’s employees.
October 20, 2020
Walmart Media Group focused on driving ad sales
Walmart took ad sales for its online and in-store network in-house with the creation of a media unit. The group is on track to generate nearly $1 billion in advertising sales this year as it marries the value of its internal shopping data with ad promotions on its network.
October 19, 2020
Walmart’s BOPIS is the best
Walmart was rated as the best for its buy online, pick up in-store service, according to a new study released by Ipsos. The retailer, along with its Sam’s Club division, were named as two of the top three performing grocery retailers for in-store and curbside pickup as well as home delivery. H-E-B, which was second on the list, got the highest marks for service with 99 percent accuracy on orders filled.
October 14, 2020
Walmart adapts big holiday sales to current realities
Walmart is still planning on offering plenty of big in-store deals leading up to Christmas, but its execution will be different than in previous years when large crowds jammed its stores. This year, Walmart is opening stores at 5:00 a.m., requiring mask-wearing customers to line up in a single file and keeping shopper counts within social-distancing guidelines. The retailer is also emphasizing curbside pickup as a means for customers to shop safely from local stores. “By spreading deals out across multiple days and making our hottest deals available online, we expect the Black Friday experience in our stores will be […]
October 13, 2020
Walmart hosts socially distanced Halloween and tailgating events
Walmart management says they were happy with the results of the Drive-in Movie series it hosted in its parking lots this summer as the retailer sought ways to draw quarantined consumers out of their homes. For the fall, Walmart is launching three new programs, also intended to provide for outdoor, socially distanced fun: Halloween Camp by Walmart, produced in coordination with the CAMP experiential company; Walmart Gameday Marketplace, a sort of farmers market/tailgating mashup; and Trick-or-Treat at Walmart, whereby 100 of the chain’s parking lots will be transformed into “spooky street” adventures for kids.
October 12, 2020
Best Buy, Target and Walmart see curbside as an edge over Amazon
Major big box chains are looking to curbside pickup as a means to grab sales away from Amazon.com during its Prime Day sales event on Oct. 13 and 14. How well it will work remains to be seen.
October 12, 2020
Walmart begins tech service pilot
Walmart is launching a national pilot of in-store tech services using kiosks as its answer to Apple’s Genius Bar and Best Buy’s Geek Squad. The kiosks will be staffed by employees of True Network Solutions, which offers in-home installation of televisions, smart home devices, computers, WiFi and other products as well as 24/7 tech support. The retailer is starting with a test at four stores in Texas and has plans to expand the pilot to 50 locations by the middle of next year.
October 7, 2020
Walmart CEO: Diverse thinking makes for stronger companies
In a Fortune opinion piece, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon writes, “When companies work to foster a culture of collaboration, communication becomes second nature. It’s important for the day-to-day operation of a business, but it’s also essential when the stakes are high, as they are today. Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn’t is at a clear disadvantage.”
October 7, 2020
Walmart to launch health insurance program
Walmart is now an insurance broker, too. The world’s largest retailer announced that it is launching Walmart Insurance Services on Oct. 15. The health insurance unit, which is licensed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., will sell Medicare insurance plans from Anthem, Humana and UnitedHealth Group. “Helping customers select the right Medicare insurance plan to meet their needs aligns with Walmart’s mission of helping people save money and live better,” the retailer said in a statement.
October 2, 2020
Walmart sells majority stake in Asda
Walmart has sold a majority stake in its Asda business for $8.8 billion to a group including Zuber and Mohsin Issa and TDR Capital. The sale by Walmart followed a rejection of a previous merger deal with Sainsbury’s by regulators in the UK. The new owners intend to pursue a convenience store expansion strategy recently put in motion by Asda.
September 30, 2020
Walmart debuts new supercenter store design
Future Walmart Supercenters will have a variety of contactless methods for allowing customers to receive and pay for purchases. The retailer plans to roll out 200 stores with the new designs before the end of its current fiscal year ending in early 2021. Another 1,000 stores will be fitted with the new look by the end of the next fiscal year. “We’re working hard to make it easy for customers to be able to toggle between their physical experiences that are in the store and their digital journeys,” said Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s chief customer officer. “We think customers are going […]
September 30, 2020
Walmart wants a stake in Tata’s super app
Walmart is talking with Tata Group about making an investment of up to $25 billion in the Indian corporate giant’s super app that will tie its consumer electronics, fashion, grocery, healthcare and insurance businesses together. “Tata already has a good reputation for its products and Walmart’s advanced technology and experience in the space will help with better distribution,” said Rajiv Frank, marketing and brand consultant at Brandtrotter. “There are still a lot of people in small-town India who don’t fully trust Amazon. Tata’s name will help [Walmart] with the trust factor.”
September 24, 2020
TikTok deal is central to Walmart’s transformation
Walmart’s investment in TikTok will open up new consumer reach opportunities and provide the retailer with ways to grow its revenues through its own ad network. The deal, along with other steps the retailer is taking to build its omnichannel operations, are changing the business dramatically from the days of Sam Walton.
September 23, 2020
Walmart ending one-way aisles in stores
Walmart is ending one-way aisles and opening a second set of doors in it stores as it departs from some of the practices it put in place when the coronavirus outbreak spread across the U.S. “We have seen that generally, customers have adopted new behaviors and take serious their personal responsibility to wear masks, practice social distancing and use our expanded hours to better spread traffic throughout the day, enabling us to provide them new options,” Walmart said.
September 23, 2020
Walmart staffing up online fulfillment centers
Walmart is hiring 20,000 workers to help fulfill online orders during the Christmas shopping season. The new workers being hired are in addition to 500,000 new jobs created in the retailer’s stores and supply chain operations since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
September 22, 2020
Walmart expects generational benefits from TikTok stake
Walmart is expected to take a 7.5 percent stake in TikTok’s operations in the U.S. once the deal the retailer and Oracle have made with the video app company is approved by the government. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon will have a seat on the five-person board of the company that has more than 100 million active monthly users in the U.S. “For legacy brands, like a Walmart, being able to effectively introduce themselves is very important,” said Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics. “There’s rarely moments where they can engage in such an intensely valued platform and […]
September 21, 2020
Walmart goes more upscale with new private clothing line launch
Walmart is rolling out Free Assembly, a new private label clothing brand, that offers “high-quality pieces” at prices between $9 and $45. The 55-piece line will be sold on the retailer’s website and in 250 select stores.
September 21, 2020
ByteDance: Trump doesn’t understand Oracle/Walmart deal for TikTok
ByteDance, the parent company of the TikTok video app, said that President Donald Trump’s assertion that its U.S. division would be majority-owned by U.S. investors Oracle and Walmart is incorrect. A statement released by ByteDance’s Jinri Toutaio social media platform in China said the company would retain direct control over the business with an 80 percent stake. Mr. Trump gave his preliminary approval over the weekend for Oracle and Walmart to buy a stake in TikTok’s U.S. and Canadian business. He claimed the deal would give the companies control of the business and bring $5 billion in tax revenue to […]
September 21, 2020
Amazon and Walmart donated to lawmaker who spread QAnon conspiracy theories
Amazon.com and Walmart are among large companies that have donated money to elect a Tennessee state attorney who has spread QAnon conspiracy theories on her social media pages. Rep. Susan Lynn (R), who chairs the Tennessee House Finance Committee, has said she does not support so-called Q conspiracy theories, despite posting a well-known slogan by the group on her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
September 18, 2020
Walmart to give 165K employees a raise
Walmart is instituting a new pay structure that will raise the minimum wage of hourly associates working in team leadership positions $18 to $21. Team leaders in its Supercenters can go up to $30 an hour. The pay raises will go into effect in October. “We’re investing in new roles and skills training to give us the flexibility to serve customers anytime and anywhere,” COO Dacona Smith wrote on a company blog. “In turn, associates will have more room for career and pay growth.”
September 15, 2020
Walmart still wants to invest in TikTok
Walmart, which joined with Microsoft in an unsuccessful bid to acquire TikTok’s business in the U.S. and Canada, has indicated it plans to continue talking with the video app’s parent, ByteDance, and other parties about investing in the business.
September 15, 2020
Walmart launches its answer to Amazon Prime
Walmart has launched Walmart+, a subscription that costs $98 annually, and offers free shipping, gas discounts and mobile checkout in stores. Walmart is looking to the new service to help it keep existing customers and bring in new ones that have the option of using other subscription services such as Amazon Prime. About 57 percent of U.S. shoppers have an Amazon Prime membership, according to Kantar Consulting’s ShopperScape.
September 3, 2020
Walmart publishes hot toys list for Christmas
Walmart has posted a list of the “36 hottest toys” with expectations that the category will remain in heavy demand throughout the Christmas selling season. “Toys have really played a critical role in families over the last few months especially with everyone being at home a lot more,” said Erin Fish, Walmart merchandising director for girls fashion dolls. Among the toys making the retailer’s list for 2020 are Frozen 2, L.O.L. Surprise, Paw Patrol and Star Wars.
September 1, 2020
Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime to launch Sept. 15
Walmart is launching Walmart+, a subscription service that offers free deliveries, discounts on fuel and access to a Scan & Go app in the chain’s stores. The service will cost members $98 a year or $12.95 a month. “We’re not launching Walmart+ with the intent to compete with anything else,” Walmart chief customer officer Janey Whiteside said. “We’re launching it to meet the needs of our customers, and it really was designed to make their busy lives easier.”
August 18, 2020
Walmart’s online sales nearly doubled in second quarter
Walmart’s online sales jumped 97 percent in the second quarter as shoppers placed orders for products in a wide variety of categories. Same-store sales at the chain’s physical locations jumped 9.3 percent, excluding fuel, during the quarter, outpacing the 5.73 percent gain expected by analysts.
August 17, 2020
Walmart to stay open later
Walmart has moved back its closing time from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at more than 4,000 of its 4,700 stores across the country. The retailer has said that the extra time will allow customers to spread out their shopping trips and help aid social distancing at a time when many states are seeing spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases. The retailer has said it will continue to maintain the same cleaning routine it has employed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
August 17, 2020
Analyst expects Walmart to report higher margin sales
Walmart is expected to report higher profit margins when it releases its second quarter earnings tomorrow with sales of apparel and consumer electronics showing a substantial increase as Americans used CARES Act stimulus funds to make purchases. The chain saw lower margin sales in its first quarter as customers focused on purchasing lower margin groceries and everyday staples. “Unlike other retailers, we believe Walmart took most of the pain in Q1, limiting the Q2 impact,” Credit Suisse analyst Seth Sigman said in a note last week.
July 31, 2020
Walmart to sell the Impossible Burger
Walmart has agreed to sell Impossible Foods’ meatless Impossible Burger in 2,100 of its stores across the U.S. as well as online. “It’s a … very significant step for us,” Impossible Foods CEO Patrick Brown told CNBC. “Walmart is the biggest food retailer in the world … biggest seller of meat in the U.S.”
July 30, 2020
Amazon has lost online market share as Target and Walmart make gains
Amazon.com saw its market share go from 42.1 percent in January to 38.5 percent in June, according to Rakuten Intelligence. During the same period, Target’s share grew from 2.2 percent to 3.5 percent. Walmart saw its share grow from 4.2 percent to five percent.
July 29, 2020
Walmart puts ‘Ask Sam’ voice app in the hands of associates
Employees at Walmart’s 5,000 stores across the U.S. can now use a voice assistant app dubbed “Ask Sam” to locate products, look up prices, receive real-time alerts and more. The app, which was developed by Sam’s Club last year, “was designed as an additional way to help associates find the answers they need to do their jobs more effectively and better serve customers,” Meng Chee, Walmart’s executive vice president and chief product officer, said in a statement.
July 28, 2020
Walmart bans couple who wore swastika masks from its stores
Walmart has banned a man and woman from entering its stores for at least a year after the two recently went shopping at a store in Marshall, MN, wearing face masks with swastikas on them. Walmart called the incident “unacceptable” and added it seeks “to provide a safe and comfortable shopping environment for all our customers and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in any aspect of our business.”
July 27, 2020
Target follows Walmart in announcing it will close on Thanksgiving
Target echoed the announcement by Walmart last week, saying it will close its stores on Thanksgiving. “The investments we’ve made in our business and our incredible team have enabled us to move with flexibility and speed to meet guests’ changing needs during this global pandemic,” said Target CEO Brian Cornell in a press release. “This year more than ever, a joyful holiday will be inseparable from a safe one, and we’re continuing to adjust our plans to deliver ease, value and the joy of the season in a way that only Target can.”
July 27, 2020
CVS, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walgreens and Walmart won’t enforce mask rules
A number of large chains with rules that require shoppers to wear mask to enter stores — CVS, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walgreens and Walmart — will still allow people refusing to wear face coverings to shop. The goal is to reduce confrontations between staff and individuals who refuse to follow the rule.
July 24, 2020
Walmart to open more health clinics in Atlanta, Chicago and Jacksonville
Walmart has announced that it will open at least six new health clinics before the end of the year in the Atlanta area. The retailer also plans to open a clinic in Chicago this year and will open its first in Florida next year. The facilities, which offer primary care services, dental exams, lab tests and more, are part of Walmart’s plan to become a significant player in healthcare. The retailer will have 13 clinics open before the start of 2021.
July 23, 2020
Walmart merging wholesale clubs into Flipkart in India
Walmart is combining its Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in India with its Flipkart e-commerce venture in the Asian nation. The retailer operates 28 warehouse club-style locations in the country. Walmart, which acquired a 77 percent stake in Flipkart in 2018, led an investment round last week that gave it even more control.
July 21, 2020
Walmart to try again to sell Asda stake
Walmart is in talks with potential buyers in an effort to sell a stake in its Asda business. Talks with interested parties were put on hold when the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the UK earlier this year.
July 16, 2020
Kohl’s, Kroger and Walmart require shoppers to wear masks
A growing number of retailers are mandating face masks for people who wish to shop in their stores. Kohl’s, Kroger, Sam’s Club and Walmart join others including Best Buy, Costco and Starbucks that have put mask mandates in place. “We will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20,” Walmart U.S. COO Dacona Smith and Sam’s Club COO Lance De La Rosa wrote in a company blog. “This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols.”
July 14, 2020
Walmart considers requiring shoppers to wear face masks nationwide
Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, said that about 3,700 of the chain’s 5,000 stores currently require people to wear masks to shop. He said the company doesn’t mandate masks in the other locations but it is “obviously something that’s on our minds.”
July 7, 2020
Dick’s, Target and Walmart stop selling Washington Redskins merchandise
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and Walmart have all pulled merchandise bearing the Washington Redskins name and logo from their stores and websites. The football team has long been criticized by those believing its team name is a racial slur demeaning to Native Americans. Last week, FedEx, which sponsors the team’s stadium in Maryland, formally requested that it change its name.
July 1, 2020
Walmart to end sales of ‘All Lives Matter’ merch on its site
Walmart announced that it would pull any merchandise with the “All Lives Matter” slogan while continuing to sell items with “Blue Lives Matter” on it. The retailer said the intention between the ALM phrase was to minimize “the painful reality of racial inequity” in society expressed by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.
June 29, 2020
Disgruntled ex-worker kills one, injures four others at Walmart DC
Louis Lane who was fired from his job at a Walmart distribution center in 2019 for failing to show up to a scheduled shift, drove his car into the facility’s lobby and then began shooting as he exited the car. One Walmart employee was murdered while four others were injured in the attack. The shooter was killed by police.
June 24, 2020
Walmart won’t display or sell Mississippi state flag
Walmart has removed the flag of Mississippi from all its stores in the state. The flag, which incorporates a symbol of the old Confederacy, has come under increased scrutiny and criticism in light of peaceful protests against racial inequality in the U.S. The retailer removed the flag from stores “a couple of weeks ago,” according to company spokesperson Anne Hatfield.
June 24, 2020
Walmart Canada reviews third-party sales of ‘All Lives Matter’ apparel
Walmart Canada said it is investigating the sale of items with the slogans “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” after receiving complaints on social media. The phrases were developed as a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, which has advocated for an end to racial inequality in society and abuse of power in law enforcement. Walmart has said it is looking into whether the sale of the items receiving complaints violated its “terms and conditions” for marketplace sellers. “What is there to ‘look into’? It’s racist. Remove it,” tweeted user Beth MacDonnell.
June 15, 2020
Walmart adding Shopify vendors to its online marketplace
Walmart is teaming up with Shopify to add 1,200 of its vendors to the walmart.com marketplace. “There are many Shopify sellers who were already on Walmart.com, but we have not penetrated their base to the extent possible,” said Jeff Clementz, vice president of Walmart Marketplace. “There’s a tremendous opportunity.”
June 11, 2020
Walmart to unlock cases with ‘multicultural’ products
Walmart announced it will no longer put hair care and beauty products primarily used by African-Americans in locked cases. The retailer received criticism for locking the products up. Walmart said it had only done so in about a dozen of its 4,700 stores.
June 10, 2020
Walmart expands debt-free education program for associates
Walmart, which launched its “live Better U” debt-free college program in 2018, is adding a new program to allow associates to earn certificates in trades, including construction, electrical, plumbing and others. More than 25,000 Walmart associates have enrolled in the Live Better U program since its debut.
June 9, 2020
Walmart merchandising exec to lead Hanesbrands
Stephen Bratspies, most recently chief merchandising officer at Walmart, has been named the new CEO at Hanesbrands Inc. He replaces Gerald Evans Jr. who announced his retirement after 37 years with the company. Mr. Evan will remain on the company’s board until August to assist with the transition.
June 4, 2020
Walmart removes firearms from some stores as protests continue
Walmart has removed guns and ammunition from select stores as a precaution against potential looting that has occurred in some areas connected to peaceful protests against racial inequality and abuses of power by the police in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
May 19, 2020
Walmart closing Jet.com
Walmart, which acquired Jet.com for $3 billion in 2016, has decided to close the site. The retailer issued a statement regarding the decision. “Due to continued strength of the Walmart.com brand, the company will discontinue Jet.com. The acquisition of Jet.com nearly four years ago was critical to accelerating our omni strategy.”
May 13, 2020
Walmart to hand out more bonuses to workers
Walmart is spending more than $390 million in a new round of bonuses for full- and part-time workers employed as of June 5. Full-timers will receive $300 and part-timers will get $150 on June 25. “Walmart and Sam’s Club associates continue to do remarkable work, and it’s important we reward and appreciate them,” said John Furner, president and chief executive of Walmart U.S. in a statement. “All across the country, they’re providing Americans with the food, medicine, and supplies they need, while going above and beyond the normal scope of their jobs — diligently sanitizing their facilities, making customers and […]
May 1, 2020
Walmart expanding Express Delivery to 1,000 stores
Walmart announced it is expanding its two-hour Express Delivery service to roughly 1,000 stores this month. The retailer began a pilot of the program, which uses third-party delivery services, at 100 stores in April. “We know our customers’ lives have changed during this pandemic and so has the way they shop,” said Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s chief customer officer in a statement. “We also know when we come out of this, customers will be busier than ever, and sometimes that will call for needing supplies in a hurry.”
March 31, 2020
Walmart checking temps and giving facemasks to employee
Walmart has a plan to take the temperature of employees before they start their shifts. It also plans to offer face masks to workers who want them. The retailer said it will take about two weeks for masks to reach its stores and about three weeks before all its locations have infrared thermometers on hand.
2019
12 articles
December 23, 2019
Walmart CEO wants to turn focus from e-commerce back to Supercenters
Speaking to company executives at a recent strategy meeting, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon seemed to set a new course that would represent a distinct turnaround from the aggressive build-out of its e-commerce and digital-native brands set to transform the company only a year ago. The chief exec said Walmart should re-focus on its Supercenters and the infrastructure that surrounds them, leveraging the customer data and warehousing to be sold to third parties. Mr. McMillon also suggested that the company would develop “edge computing” capabilities in efforts to process and deliver large qualities of localized data to such systems as autonomous […]
December 20, 2019
Walmart, once for beer budgets, targets champaign tastes
Walmart has demonstrated in a number of ways in recent years its strategy to broaden its appeal to higher income demographics, so it should come as no surprise that the chain is upscaling its adult beverages aisles with hyper-local craft beers and higher-priced wines and liquor. Among the newly introduced items: hard seltzers, low-calorie IPAs, Buffalo Trace bourbon and Veuve Clicquot champaign.
December 18, 2019
Walmart deploys ‘swat teams’ that specialize in store remodels
Remodeling stores is a tricky assignment because, in most cases, the chain can’t afford to shut down operations or disrupt store traffic too badly. Walmart remodels 500 stores a year, so management is forming “swat teams” of specialized personnel that travel from store to store and work through the process as efficiently as possible.
December 13, 2019
Bonobos’ Andy Dunn departs Walmart, shy of reinvention goals
When Andy Dunn, founder of Bonobos, sold his company to Walmart two years ago for $310 million, he signed on to spur the mass retailer’s run to catch-up to Amazon by piloting recently acquired digitally native brands that would help connect with Millennials and other desirable consumer segments. But, under the leadership of Marc Lore, Walmart has cooled its e-commerce jets somewhat, and brands like Bonobos and Eloquii remain unprofitable, according to some reports. In announcing his departure, Walmart said Mr. Dunn is still “an entrepreneur at heart.”
August 30, 2019
Walmart stores become labs for human-robot relationships
Walmart continues to roll out robots in its store environments — 350 this year alone — and their robotic development partners are learning a great deal from seeing the autonomous gizmos navigate around and interact with humans. “… We have a life-sized laboratory where hopefully millions of people will be seeing our robot,” says Sarjoun Skaff of Bossa Nova, the company behind Walmart’s shelf-scanning robots. One nagging problem for Bossa Nova is finding a way for the robots to indicate to humans which direction they intend to move. They liken the issue to the kind of conventions developed for drivers, […]
August 28, 2019
Walmart’s holiday toy list is longer and kid-influenced
You might still be in beach mode, but Walmart wants you to start thinking Christmas. The company released its “Hottest Toys of the Year” list in preparation for the 2019 holiday season, and this year it’s up to 48 items. Walmart reportedly asked kids to play with and rate hundreds of items to develop the list this year, and notably added more gaming products to satisfy demand in that hot category. In its press release, Walmart says it is expanding selection for 2019. “Customers can shop from a 25 percent increase in toy exclusives in stores and online and over […]
August 26, 2019
Social media antics causing grief at Walmart, Target, Lowe’s and other stores
In a popular new social media fad that retailers wish will soon grow stale, YouTubers are creating click bate video content by staging pranks in big chain stores, most notably Walmart, but also in Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ikea and others. Often, the videos depict pranksters dancing and acting up in front of employees to instigate reactions for the camera, but oftentimes the performances involve vandalism with the intent of getting the workers to contact the police.
June 27, 2019
Kroger could one day surpass Walmart and Amazon in online grocery
While most eyes in the industry have been on the Walmart/Amazon rivalry for online grocery, Kroger has made impressive strides, boosting its ecommerce sales by 66 percent last year, or by about $1.5 billion. Currently, Walmart is the online grocery market share leader at 33 percent, having overtaken Amazon (31 percent) in 2018, but at its current growth rate, Kroger could catch up in a couple of years.
June 26, 2019
Walmart extends acceptance of SNAP online payments to all pickup locations
As part of the company’s initiative to provide better service to low income shoppers, Walmart is now accepting payments using SNAP ((Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT cards for online orders delivered to all of its over 2,500 pickup locations. Customers are also asked to show their EBT benefit cards to associates when picking up their orders.
June 21, 2019
NY Times investigation leads to $282 million fine in Walmart bribery scandal
In a settlement with the Justice Department and SEC, Walmart has agreed to pay a $282 million fine for making “suspicious payments” to gain influence with Mexican and Brazilian officials. The evidence of bribery was brought to the attention of the U.S. government agencies in an intensive investigation conducted by the New York Times and published in 2012.
June 6, 2019
For Walmart’s vests, gray is the new blue
Walmart’s new employee vests are made from recycled bottles. All are “neutral steel gray,” but will have a variety of different snappy trim colors: green for Neighborhood Market associates, yellow for self-checkout hosts, and blue and pink for other associates, some of whom will be able to choose which they prefer to wear.
February 6, 2019
Walmart accused of racism for putting hair care products under lock and key
Walmart has followed a practice of putting hair care products marketed to African-American customers in a locked case in some of its stores, claiming that management is simply making data-based decisions on the matter. In the most recent case at a location on Long Island, responding to complaints of racial discrimination, the company removed the products from the case so customers are not forced to find an associate to get the items they want.
2018
12 articles
December 26, 2018
New Walmart patent describes tech for employee eavesdropping
US patent no. 10,020,004 B2, filed by Walmart in July, describes a system that places sensors throughout a store environment and then has the ability to analyze the audio data it collects “and determine, based at least in part on the audio data and the indication of the employee, a performance metric for the employee.”
December 21, 2018
Walmart responds to China’s e-commerce growth with smaller stores
Asia’s largest economy also has the highest e-commerce marketshare in the world — a full 20 percent of retail sales in China originate online. To address the exploding need for delivery, Walmart is testing a small store concept designed to serve lower-tier cities. Developed in coordination with Chinese logistics company Dada-JD Daojia, the format is about half the size of traditional Walmart supercenters and focuses more on fresh produce while trimming general merchandise. Customers can check out using a version of the WeChat messaging app or arrange for one-hour home delivery if they live within three kilometers (1.86 miles) of the store.
December 21, 2018
Walmart.com’s state-by-state best selling list has some colorful winners
Instant Pots are hot, and so the fact that the multipurpose cooker ranked as Walmart.com’s top seller in four out of 50 states (Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa and Utah) may come as no surprise. Care to guess what item was the top seller in twice as many states? [Hint: Think adult coloring books.]
November 13, 2018
CEO of Walmart’s Flipkart out following sexual misconduct allegations
Binny Bansal, the 37-year-old tech billionaire that has led India’s high-flying Flipcart e-commerce business, has resigned over charges of “serious personal misconduct.” The company said that a probe into the matter failed to confirm the allegations being made against Mr. Bansal but “it did reveal other lapses in judgment, particularly a lack of transparency, related to how Binny responded to the situation.”
August 31, 2018
Walmart vies for TRU customers, in a big way
Amazon is putting out a print toy catalog this year for the first time in its history. Party City is opening holiday pop-ups to sell toys this year, and other retailers — from Kohl’s and J.C. Penney to Five Below — have announced plans for greater emphasis on toy merchandising this year, all in efforts to grab up share of ex-Toys “R” Us customers. Walmart is not taking the challenge lying down. Yesterday, management released news that stores will stock 30 percent more toy inventory this holiday season, and that the online selection will be boosted by 40 percent. Walmart […]
August 27, 2018
Walmart.com launches Moosejaw destination
As part of its strategy to draw more shoppers to its online marketplace, Walmart.com has given its newly-acquired business, outdoor outfitter Moosejaw, an online storefront. A Walmart blog post announcing the launch describes the mini-site as “a completely new, outdoor specialty assortment that hasn’t been available to Walmart customers in the past.”
June 7, 2018
Walmart, Costco, Target, Kroger battle Amazon with pricing
The nation’s biggest grocers are employing a wide range of tactics to stay a step ahead of Amazon’s intrusion into their territory, but a unifying theme so far this year appears to be lower prices. Costco is reportedly reinvesting recently-gained tax savings not only in higher wages for associates but in bringing prices down. Walmart, according to a Raymond James survey, dropped prices by 4 percent in the February – April period. Kroger is also attempting to follow suit, and Target, according to executive Mark Tritton, attributes May sales on regularly-priced items that were $1 billion higher than the previous year […]
June 6, 2018
Amazon counters Walmart’s Flipkart purchase by upping its investment in Inda
Having lost the battle to buy Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce business, to Walmart, Amazon is planning to increase its commitment to building its business in the country by another $2 billion. That would bring the total investment to date to about $7 billion. A source cited by CNBC TV18 said that, while Jeff Bezos has put plenty of money behind the efforts, beginning with $2 billion in 2014 and another $3 billion in 2016, the Walmart acquisition has fueled a more aggressive competitive drive to win greater market share in India.
May 4, 2018
Walmart may have won the battle with Amazon over Flipkart
Bloomberg this morning, on word from people familiar with the matter, reports that Flipkart, the leading e-commerce retailer in India, has agreed to sell 75 percent of the company to an investor group led by Walmart. As recently as Monday, Amazon was reported by CNBC to have made a counteroffer for 60 percent of the company, but since Amazon is the second biggest e-commerce concern in the country, Walmart is said to have a better chance of clearing regulatory hurdles. Google parent company Alphabet was been named as one of the likely investors in Walmart’s group, according to one of […]
April 23, 2018
Appears that Walmart will best Amazon in bid for Flipkart
Insiders say that Walmart may close on its acquisition of India’s top e-commerce platform, Flipkart, in a $12 billion deal. Earlier this month, Flipkart was reportedly considering a competitive offer from Amazon, but according to the Bloomberg report, “all the major investors in Flipkart Online Services Pvt are now on board with the Walmart purchase.”
March 6, 2018
Public perceptions of Walmart and Dick’s jump following gun restrictions
A new consumer survey fielded by YouGov BrandIndex that indicates respondents’ positive or negative impression of a brand registered a sizable bump up for Walmart and Dick’s Sporting goods in the days after the companies announced that they are tightening up their gun sales policies. On a scale of -100 (worst possible impression) to +100 (totally positive), Walmart’s score climbed from 13 to 20. Dick’s score jumped from 2 to 18.
January 15, 2018
Has Walmart started the ball rolling on U.S. wage growth?
While many argue the merits of Walmart’s minimum wage hike to $11 per hour and how much true benefit employees will see, others are surveying the broader landscape, seeing the retailer’s move as possibly pressuring many in the corporate sector into passing on tax relief gains to employees.
2017
6 articles
December 21, 2017
Walmart testing personal shopper program for affluent urban moms
According to Recode’s sources, Walmart is forming a new subsidiary it calls Code Eight that will offer personal shopping services, apparently starting in New York City. The target customer, according to a job listing, is described as a “high net worth urban consumer.” Customers would get personal recommendations and place orders via text, then receive delivery of household items for free within 24 hours and other categories within two business days. Returns would be picked up for free from the shopper’s residence.
December 7, 2017
Walmart chairman says FOMO is behind its push into digital
Speaking at Fortune’s Global Forum in Guangzhou, China on Thursday, Walmart chairman Greg Penner explained the company’s newfound inspiration in the realm of digital commerce and marketing. “For us, a big part of it is being paranoid. We’re at our best when we’ve got a competitor that’s really challenging us.” To be more accurate, Mr. Penner likely had two particular challengers in mind: in addition to Amazon, Alibaba’s heavy recent investments in new retail sectors, technology and logistics are keeping Walmart execs on their toes.
August 24, 2017
In bizarro universe of retail, analysts now sympathetic to Walmart as the underdog
Citing the growing influence of Amazon and Google over retail’s future, financial columnist Stephen Guilfoyle says he still has confidence in Walmart as a long-term bet and, in a twist for the world’s biggest retailer, feels more emotionally invested in cheering on a company now fighting a comeback battle. In reaction to Walmart’s announcement of its deal with Google to ramp up its voice-activated ordering business, Mr. Guilfoyle writes, “It’s hard not to root for the kid who stands his ground when the bully gets around to him, and says ‘Not today, tough guy’.”
March 21, 2017
Walmart will open a Silicon Valley e-com incubator
Jeff Lore, the Jet.com founder and CEO of Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce business, told the audience at Shoptalk yesterday that Walmart is planning an incubator for e-commerce-related startups to be donned Store No. 8. As reported by Forbes contributor Laura Heller, Store No. 8 will be run like a conventional incubator but, said Lore, “will be ring fenced by the rest of the organization and backed by the largest retailer in the world.”
February 16, 2017
Warren Buffett sells $900 million in Walmart stock
Last quarter, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company dumped nearly 90 percent of its holdings in Walmart, diverting investments to airline and tech stocks. In commenting to Bloomberg at his shareholders’ meeting on the rise of online retail at the expense of brick and mortar, Mr. Buffett said, “It is a big, big force and it has already disrupted plenty of people, and it will disrupt more.”
January 17, 2017
Walmart plans to add (not cut) 10,000 U.S. jobs in 2017
It was about a year ago when Walmart announced plans to close 269 stores potentially affecting the positions of 10,000 workers. And yet today, the retailer — in contrast to layoffs seen at other retail chains — said it would add 10,000 jobs in the U.S. associated in part with new expansion and renovation of 59 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores. Some of the new jobs, says the company, will come from its ongoing e-commerce build-up.
2016
36 articles
December 30, 2016
In suit, Run-DMC claims Walmart, Amazon and others are misusing its brand
Since the 1980s, the seminal rap group, Run-DMC, has reportedly sold over $100 million in “merch” emblazoned with its brand, and so when retailers use that brand without permission, the stakes are high. In New York yesterday, the brand named Walmart, Amazon, Jet and other retailers in a $50 million suit, alleging that the companies are selling clothing, glasses, wallets and other items displaying the group’s name without permission.
October 27, 2016
Walmart to ramp up order online/pickup in-store
Walmart estimates that the number click-and-collect items increases five fold during the holidays. To cater to this growing trend, the chain announced it will make tens of thousands more items available to order online and pick up in-store. The chain also says that, instead of emphasizing deals, customers will see lower everyday prices throughout the holiday season.
September 1, 2016
Walmart (and kids) pick hottest 25 holiday toys
“Hundreds of kids” lent their assistance in the selection of Walmart’s annual top toy list for the 2016 holiday season. “Santa may know who is naughty and nice, but we know what’s on their list,” said Anne Marie Kehoe, vice president of toys at Walmart U.S. Among the selections for budding entrepreneurs is an exclusive Walmart toy, My Life As Food Truck. For the more altruistic set, there’s Doc McStuffins Hospital Care Cart, while for “thrill seekers,” Walmart has another exclusive offering in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Remote Control Skateboarding Mikey.
September 1, 2016
Colorado food banks to Walmart: Give us ‘ugly’ produce
Walmart, for some time, has been selling imperfect fruits and vegetables at discounted prices, but the program has not yet been introduced in Colorado. According to The Coloradoan, food banks in the state are petitioning the retailer to bring the “ugly” produce to Colorado stores. Advocates in favor of reducing food waste are also voicing support, pointing to the deleterious effects of throwing uneaten food into landfills.
August 31, 2016
Study: Walmart’s poorest customer service found in poorest locations
A study conducted by Contexts, a publication of the American Sociological Association, looked at Yelp reviews for 2,840 U.S. Walmart locations and found that stores in lower-income areas rank much worse for customer service than those located in higher-income ZIP codes. “Walmart … consciously branded itself as a champion of and boon for disadvantaged communities,” wrote the study’s author, Adam Reich. “Its underinvestment in these communities is thus particularly notable.”
August 29, 2016
Obama, once a critic, now a supporter of Walmart
It may have been politically expedient for the fledgeling Senator Obama to position Walmart as a symbol of corporate greed, but as President, he has realized the benefits of teaming up with the nation’s biggest retailer.
August 29, 2016
Why Walmart’s purchase of Jet.com is so significant
The columnist contends that the acquisition of Jet.com by Walmart signifies a major shift in emphasis within retail to online commerce as well as to direct-to-consumer logistics.
June 8, 2016
Why Walmart won’t open dollar stores
Although dollar stores continue to eat away at segments of Walmart’s business, when asked why the company would not try dollar stores of their own, CEO Doug McMillon simply said, “We can’t do everything.”
May 12, 2016
Walmart tests rival service to Amazon Prime
Walmart is piloting a program by which consumers can pay an annual fee of $49 to receive free two-day deliveries. Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day deliveries and other perks, costs $99 a year.
May 11, 2016
Walmart sues Visa to allow for PIN verification
Walmart claims that Visa is mandating that the retailer allow customers to authenticate purchases with signatures, a method purported to be less secure (and more costly) than the one Walmart would like to use — PIN code verification.
April 29, 2016
What is Walmart’s bathroom policy?
Target is the subject of a boycott by religious conservatives and others for its policy of allowing transgender customers and employees to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. Attempts by media outlets to get Walmart’s policy on the subject have come up empty so far.
April 26, 2016
Walmart to discontinue sales of Wild Oats brand
Walmart will replace Wild Oats with an expanded selection of organics in its own Great Value brand.
April 22, 2016
Walmart to cut number of board members
The chain is reducing the number of members on its board of directors from 15 to 12 in an attempt to become more nimble in the face of fast moving competitive challenges.
April 21, 2016
Walmart CEO’s pay increases despite down year
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon saw his compensation improve two percent last year even as the company saw year-over-year revenues fall for the first time in 45 years.
April 13, 2016
Walmart offers in-store pickup for groceries in eight new markets
Walmart is expanding online ordering and in-store pickup for groceries to Austin, TX; Boise, ID; Charleston, SC; Daphne, AL; Kansas City, MO; Provo, UT; and Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA.
April 7, 2016
Alibaba moves past Walmart to become world’s largest retailer
Alibaba Group claims to have become the world’s largest retailer based on merchandise volume on its marketplaces in China.
April 7, 2016
Will cage-free egg prices drop with Walmart on board?
Walmart’s pledge to move to cage-free eggs by 2025 has the potential to dramatically affect the industry.
April 5, 2016
Walmart challenged by cuts to federal food assistance program
Congressional changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) mean that large numbers of Walmart shoppers may no longer be eligible to participate. That’s potentially very bad news for a retailer that serves consumers at the lower end of the economic ladder.
April 5, 2016
SCOTUS says no, so Walmart owes PA workers $224 million
The Supreme Court refused to hear Walmart’s appeal of a lower court ruling, which found the company forced employees to work during legally required break periods.
April 1, 2016
Walmart suffers first annual decline in sales
Walmart’s annual sales, excluding 2015, have improved every year since it went public 45 years ago.
April 1, 2016
Walmart debuts cash rewards program
Is Walmart going the loyalty card route? The retailer has introduced cash back rewards on its MasterCard and MoneyCards as part of its “3-2-1 save program.”
March 24, 2016
Aldi puts pressure on Walmart
Aldi offers high quality private label groceries at prices that even Walmart has a hard time beating. That’s why the small box grocery store operator has been so successful in head-to-head competition with the world’s largest retailer.
March 8, 2016
Walmart winning talent competition in Silicon Valley
Jeremy King, CTO of WalmartLabs, says the retailer is beating out its tech rivals for talent because it is able to sell prospects on the ability to quickly test new concepts when smaller rivals cannot.
March 7, 2016
Walmart opens online fulfillment center
Walmart’s latest fulfillment center for online orders measures 1.2 million square feet and is located in Chino, CA.
February 26, 2016
Walmart tells suppliers to forget ‘business as usual’
Walmart needs to improve in multiple areas if it is going to get its business turned around in a big way. Based on a recent meeting the company had with suppliers in Indianapolis, that translates into tougher negotiations with vendors in the year ahead.
February 26, 2016
Walmart to open first customer complaint academy in North Academy
Walmart is not known for customer service. The chain plans to open 200 academies to train 140,000 employees a year on how they can change that perception.
February 23, 2016
Walmart flunks the customer service test
Walmart was ranked at the bottom for customer service among department and discounts stores, according to 9,000 consumers interviewed for the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
February 22, 2016
Small craft brews get more shelf space at Walmart
Walmart is expanding the space it gives to craft brews to meet consumer demand and to support its plan to grow jobs in the U.S.
February 19, 2016
Walmart continues to work on boosting online sales
Walmart’s online sales improved 12 percent in the last fiscal year, but still only represent 3.2 percent of its total revenues.
January 26, 2016
Walmart and brands donate water to Flint
The water in Flint, MI is not safe to drink because of dangerous lead levels. Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Walmart have stepped up to donate 176 truckloads of water to help local residents.
January 22, 2016
Judge rules Walmart fired workers illegally
Walmart must reinstate 16 workers it fired for participating in strikes in 2013, according to a National Labor Relations Board judge. The company plans to appeal the ruling.
January 21, 2016
Walmart gives hourly workers a raise
Hourly workers at Walmart will now make a minimum wage of $10 an hour.
January 19, 2016
Target thrives with small as Walmart shies away
The news that Walmart will be shuttering all of its Express stores must have brought some satisfaction at Target where management is seeing success with its smaller formats.
January 18, 2016
Is higher minimum wage the real reason behind the closure of Oakland Walmart?
While the claim has not been officially verified, it is indeed possible, writes one columnist, that Oakland’s higher wage scale makes it difficult to operate a Walmart profitably in the city.
January 15, 2016
Walmart to close 154 stores in the U.S.
The world’s largest retailer also plans to close 114 stores outside the U.S. Of those closing here, 102 will be Walmart Express locations.
January 7, 2016
Walmart associates check customers’ gun licenses in stores
The retailer is asking customers openly carrying guns in its stores in Texas to show their firearms permits if they shop in locations that sell beer or wine.
2015
99 articles
December 30, 2015
Protesters target Walmart and seafood slavery supplier
D.C. Residents Against Slavery plans to picket a Walmart store in that city today in response to reports that the retailer sells shrimp sourced from Thai Union, a company that allegedly uses slave labor.
December 28, 2015
Walmart’s U.S. unit takes biggest hit in 2015
Walmart’s U.S. division was its worst-performing this year, seeing operating income fall in all three quarters.
December 18, 2015
Walmart, JCP, Target and others are shipping for free today
Free Shipping Day 2016 boasts 1,064 participating retailers, spanning categories from automotive to women’s clothing.
December 16, 2015
‘Secret Santa’ pays off $106k in layaways at two Walmarts
An anonymous donor paid off layaway debt at two northeast Ohio Walmarts — about $70,000 and $36,000 respectively.
December 11, 2015
Walmart adjusts EDLP to compete with Amazon’s dynamic pricing
About 12 percent of Walmart’s prices on Black Friday fluctuated over the course of the day while the same was true for about 16 percent of Amazon’s, according to 360pi.
November 25, 2015
U.S. government investigates Walmart’s dealings in Brazil
Federal investigators are looking into a possible violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Walmart has said it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
November 24, 2015
Target and Walmart vie for Cyber Monday sales
Target.com is offering a 15 percent discount on all items on the site in addition to special deals while Walmart’s Cyber Monday will start on Sunday.
November 23, 2015
Walmart can’t wait for Cyber Monday, deals drop on Sunday
The retailer is looking to get a head start on its online competition.
November 17, 2015
Walmart is dragged down by international operations
Sales at the company’s U.S. stores improved four percent during the third quarter while its international business was down 11 percent.
November 16, 2015
Walmart pursues online grocery opportunity
Walmart is steadily expanding online ordering and in-store pickup of groceries in locations across the U.S.
November 12, 2015
Walmart ends Black Friday doorbusters
The chain has decided to do away with hourly deals that created excitement and occasionally chaos among the customers shopping in its stores on Black Friday.
November 11, 2015
Walmart’s Asda cancels Black Friday
Asda imported Black Friday from its parent company, bringing the event to the U.K. retailing scene in 2013. Now, management has decided that the event was counterproductive and it can do without it.
November 3, 2015
Walmart puts Santas to work
The chain plans to play up the Christmas imagery in its stores this holiday season including the deployment of Santas to 3,600 supercenters around the U.S.
November 3, 2015
Man sets off bomb at Walmart
A supporter of the state flag of Mississippi, which contains an image of the Confederate battle flag, set off an explosive device at a Walmart store. The chain has a policy of not selling goods containing images of the Confederate battle flag.
October 30, 2015
Walmart and Target starting their Christmas pushes now
Forget about Thanksgiving or Black Friday. The giant retail rivals are kicking off their holiday sales this Sunday.
October 27, 2015
Walmart to test drones
Walmart is seeking permission from the federal government to test drones for use at its distribution facilities and to deliver goods to the homes of consumers.
October 22, 2015
Will a loyalty program give Walmart an e-commerce edge?
The author suggests that Walmart has the means to turn shoppers in its stores to customers of walmart.com. The answer is a loyalty rewards program.
October 20, 2015
WSJ: No criminal charges expected in Walmart bribery investigation
A Wall Street Journal report concludes that Walmart is likely to face some fines but no criminal charges over allegations of bribes paid to officials in Mexico.
October 19, 2015
Walmart pressures vendors on price
Walmart expects its vendors to help it get its business back on the path to growth. That, it turns out, will likely mean some major concessions on the cost of the products they sell the retailer.
October 14, 2015
Burberry finds CIO at Walmart
Fumbi Chima, corporate vice president and CIO for Walmart Asia, will take over as the new tech chief at Burberry.
October 13, 2015
Walmart wants to be more entrepreneurial
Walmart is focused on motivating its employees and bringing some of the fire back to the workforce that the company enjoyed in its early days.
October 9, 2015
Shopping at Costco and Walmart may make you fat
Consumers who shop at mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs buy more packaged (see unhealthy) foods than those who shop at supermarkets, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
October 6, 2015
Walmart.ca testing pickup lockers in 7-Eleven stores
Walmart Canada is working with 7-Eleven at six of its Toronto area locations to see how online consumers like the idea of picking up their orders from lockers at the c-stores.
October 1, 2015
Walmart to announce HQ job cuts
Walmart is expected to announce job cuts in the hundreds on Friday. The retailer employs more than 18,000 people at its headquarters in Arkansas.
September 28, 2015
Gray market fragrances find way to Target and Walmart
Upscale fragrance brands don’t sell directly to chains such as Target and Walmart so the retailers find other means to acquire the products.
September 25, 2015
Walmart faces questions over ‘Little Amigo” costume
A Walmart rep said the costume sold by a third-party marketplace seller on walmart.com was listed in violation of the retailer’s policy concerning offensive costumes.
September 23, 2015
Walmart customers prefer grocery pickup service
Nearly three-quarters of customers who have bought groceries at Walmart’s Pickup warehouse would rather get their orders that way instead of picking them up at a store, according to a survey by Field Agent.
September 23, 2015
Sam’s Club to benefit from Walmart Labs’ latest acquisition
Walmart Lab’s acquisition of the loyalty startup PunchTab is expected to help Sam’s Club better tailor offers to its members.
September 16, 2015
Walmart expands in-store grocery pickup in home market
Five additional Neighborhood Markets will offer in-store pickup in Northwest Arkansas beginning this month.
September 11, 2015
Walmart’s suppliers adjust to new terms
A number of suppliers, particularly smaller ones, are still figuring out how to respond to Walmart’s new terms for doing business including the addition of warehousing fees and extended payment terms with discounts.
September 4, 2015
Are there too many Walmarts in the U.S.?
The columnist questions whether Walmart can continue to justify having 5,200 stores in the U.S. given its brick and mortar competition. And then there’s Amazon to consider.
September 3, 2015
Walmart will reopen five stores union claims were closed to punish organizers
Walmart claims it closed five stores in April to make repairs but the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board believing the actions were taken in retaliation to pro-employee activities.
September 2, 2015
Walmart, Target will stay open late for ‘Force Friday’
In at least one Walmart location, Star Wars: The Force Awakens merchandise was available on shelves in advance of the 12:01 a.m. Friday launch, but registers were programmed to block sales until that time.
September 1, 2015
Following pay raises, Walmart cuts some worker hours
Walmart is said to be cutting the hours of some workers in situations where they are deemed to be over-scheduled in efforts to rein in costs following the implementation of higher hourly pay and more costly training,
August 31, 2015
How Walmart and other retailers can continue post-Katrina efforts
Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe’s proved how responsive they could be with their efficient relief efforts in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster, but the affected region continues to be under-served by retailers.
August 31, 2015
Walmart drops politically divisive AR-15 sporting rifle
Walmart claims its decision to delist the semi-automatic rifles is based on slowing sales, but the political pressures surrounding the AR-15 are complicated.
August 27, 2015
Christmas creeps into Walmart ahead of Labor Day
Walmart has published its list of the 25 most popular toys for the Christmas selling season and introduced 500 Star Wars items that will be in stores on Sept. 4.
August 27, 2015
Walmart ending sales of AR-15 rifles
Walmart is pulling AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles off store shelves and replacing them with shotguns and other weapons used in hunting.
August 19, 2015
Walmart U.S. same-store sales improve
The company’s earnings took a hit from recent wage hikes and shrink, but its store traffic and same-store sales are on the upswing.
July 30, 2015
Walmart tells suppliers to comply with labeling laws
Walmart is looking to avoid having to deal with the same issues that Whole Foods has faced in New York City.
July 28, 2015
Walmart and others pledge action against global warming
Alcoa, Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cargill, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, PepsiCo, UPS and Walmart have come out publicly in support of the Obama Administration’s American Business Act on Climate Change.
July 28, 2015
Millennials go shopping at Walmart
Millennials may shop at Walmart more than any other retailer more out of necessity than desire, according to an analysis of 25 product categories by Prosper Insights.
July 24, 2015
Amazon’s stock value passes Walmart’s
Shares of Amazon jumped around 18 percent yesterday on news of a 20 percent increase in quarterly sales. Amazon is currently valued at $264 billion while Walmart stands at $233.5 billion.
July 24, 2015
Walmart’s expanded baby offerings to pressure other retailers
Walmart is expanding its selection of baby products by 20 brands to appeal to Millennials.
July 23, 2015
Walmart cutting hours at some stores
About 40 Walmart stores in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania that were previously open 24/7 will close for several hours a day beginning next week so that employees can restock.
July 13, 2015
Report: Walmart planning to cut 1,000 HQ jobs
Walmart and Sam’s Club are looking to reduce corporate headcount by 1,000 positions, including 200 vice presidents, by Nov. 1, according to sources who spoke with The City Wire.
July 13, 2015
Walmart.com to match Amazon’s Prime Day with 2,000 rollbacks
Amazon.com will not be the only online giant running a really big sale this Wednesday.
July 13, 2015
H-E-B vs. Walmart in Texas showdown
H-E-B has proven itself one of the few grocery competitors who can come out ahead in direct competition with Walmart.
July 8, 2015
Walmart holds open call for American-made products
The retailer gave domestic manufacturers the opportunity to pitch their products.
July 6, 2015
Walmart Canada expands grocery pickup to Ottawa
Walmart has added designated pickup areas at 11 Ottawa area stores for orders placed online.
June 30, 2015
Walmart.com sold foreign goods with ‘Made in USA’ label
Walmart says website problems are to blame for some items made overseas being mistakenly tagged with its “Made in the USA” labels. The chain said it is removing all tags until it can determine a fix for the flaw.
June 24, 2015
Facebook’s stock worth more than Walmart’s
Facebook has displaced Walmart in the top 10 companies in the S&P 500.
June 22, 2015
Walmart changes supplier agreements
Walmart is looking to simplify its supplier agreements in an effort to reduce costs.
June 16, 2015
How investors see Walmart/Costco match-up
Writes economist and researcher Andrés Cardenal, “If you’re willing to pay up for quality, chances are Costco will deliver higher gains than Wal-Mart in the coming years.”
June 11, 2015
Walmart keeps focus on supporting U.S. manufacturing
Michelle Gloeckler, executive vice president, consumables and health and wellness and the U.S. manufacturing lead at Walmart, said the company’s efforts to promote domestic manufacturing remains “alive, well and very strong.”
June 5, 2015
Walmart using robots for grocery pickup service in UK
The use of robots is among hundreds of potential innovations being tested around the globe by Walmart.
June 4, 2015
DJs to rock Radio Walmart
Workers in Walmart will no longer be subjected to a limited music selection looped over their store’s PA system from the company’s headquarters in Arkansas. Live disc jockeys will be spinning the tunes as the company brings Radio Walmart back to its stores.
June 3, 2015
Walmart still can’t sell liquor in Lone Star State
A bill backed by Walmart, Kroger and others that would have given publicly traded companies the ability to sell spirits in Texas never made it out of committee.
June 2, 2015
Walmart raising pay for key department managers
The retailer is increasing the starting wages for department managers in departments such as auto care, electronics and produce to $13 as part of a plan to attract and retain better talent.
June 1, 2015
Walmart and Kroger are Big D’s top grocers
The two behemoths are doing what they can to fend off a growing list of competitors in North Texas. Down the road, they may even have to go up against H-E-B, which has pushed past them in Houston.
May 29, 2015
Walmart promotes corporate responsibility
Recent steps — from wage increases to rules governing animal welfare — have some seeing the retail giant in a new light.
May 27, 2015
More details emerge on Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime
Walmart’s test of ShippingPass, the name for its new program, includes free four to six-day shipping on select items without a minimum purchase.
May 22, 2015
Walmart expands hiring plan for vets
Walmart is looking to hire 250,000 veterans of America’s armed forces by 2020. That figure is up from an original goal of hiring 100,000 by 2018.
May 22, 2015
Walmart asks meat and egg suppliers to cut antibiotics
The retailer has asked suppliers to limit the use of antibiotics for health problems and to improve their treatment of farm animals.
May 21, 2015
Target rebounds more quickly than Walmart
Target is growing top line revenues at a faster clip than Walmart, at least for the moment.
May 19, 2015
Walmart posts same-store increase
Walmart’s same-store sales in the U.S. were up 1.1 percent in the first quarter compared to a 0.1 percent decline during the same period last year.
May 8, 2015
Walmart opening DCs to support online growth
Walmart is opening four new fulfillment centers as it expects to triple its e-commerce dollar sales by 2018.
May 4, 2015
Walmart trims executive ranks
Walmart believes that centralizing control in the hands of fewer executives will lead to improved performance on the regional and local levels.
May 1, 2015
Walmart participates in Tesla energy storage test
Walmart is already looking to expand the installation of Tesla storage battery systems at its stores in California.
April 29, 2015
Walmart touts gains on ‘Made in America’ initiative
Walmart is on target to fulfill its pledge to source $250 billion in U.S.-made products by 2023.
April 28, 2015
Family ties remain strong at Walmart
Many of the companies that work with Walmart are either connected to the Waltons or senior executives at the retailer.
April 28, 2015
Walmart to open campus store
Walmart will open a 4,100 square foot store on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University tomorrow.
April 24, 2015
Walmart focused on delivering fresher foods to customers
Walmart has heard complaints that produce that looks okay in the store goes bad a day after being purchased. The chain said it is taking steps to reduce the time it takes to get product from the farm to the shelf.
April 20, 2015
Walmart to eliminate zone manager role
In efforts to reduce bureaucracy, Walmart will cut out a layer of management and transfer more responsibility to store-level managers, according to a company spokesperson.
April 20, 2015
Laid-off Walmart workers seek to be rehired
The UFCW is seeking an injunction against Walmart in the closing of five locations affecting about 2,200 job positions.
April 17, 2015
Walmart and Target can learn from grocers
Kroger and Safeway have achieved success by making investments to improve customer service, excel in fresh foods and expand health and wellness products and services.
April 13, 2015
Walmart named as top spender on IT
IDT estimates the retailer spent $10.2 billion on information technology needs last year.
April 13, 2015
Walton family to reduce stake in Walmart
The Walton family is putting six percent of Walmart’s outstanding shares in a trust for possible sale.
April 8, 2015
Walmart asks vendors to pay for Savings Catcher
Walmart suppliers have told The City Wire that the chain is asking them to help fund its Savings Catcher price match program. The retailer recently asked suppliers to offer them net pricing instead of deals that include promotional allowances.
April 3, 2015
Walmart loses grocery market share in Charlotte
Walmart is the top grocer by market share in the Charlotte market, but the retailer saw its percentage of sales slip from 22.4 percent to 19.8 percent over the past year, according to Chain Store Guide.
April 1, 2015
Walmart changes free shipping requirements in Canada
Walmart will now require customers to spend at least $50 to get free shipping in Canada. It previously offered unlimited free shipping.
March 18, 2015
Walmart to shuffle its grocery management deck
Grocery accounts for 56 percent of Walmart’s total sales in the U.S., but the company has struggled with execution in a number of areas. What will happen now that Jack Sinclair, who has run the business since 2007, is leaving the company?
March 16, 2015
Walmart looks to give Publix a run for its money
Walmart’s increased emphasis on produce and fresh meat may make its stores more attractive to shoppers that typically shop at Publix.
March 10, 2015
Walmart opening Neighborhood Markets in its own backyard
Walmart plans to open up to 120 new Neighborhood Markets in the U.S. this year including several in the area around its headquarters in Bentonville, AR.
March 4, 2015
Kroger and Walmart lobby Texas lawmakers to sell spirits
Kroger and Walmart are among the retailers asking Texas state legislators to repeal legislation that prohibits them from selling hard liquor. The companies maintain existing law is anti-competitive.
February 26, 2015
Walmart’s loss is Kohl’s gain
Kohl’s is able to grab shoppers who go to Walmart for consumables, but not for clothing.
February 25, 2015
Walmart against ‘conscience protection’ legislation
Walmart said pending legislation in its home state of Arkansas would make it legal for individuals to discriminate against homosexuals based on religious grounds.
February 25, 2015
Walmart CEO talks green while critics call out ‘greenwashing’
CEO Doug McMillon said Walmart is in the third phase of its sustainability initiatives even as critics slam the company for not doing nearly enough to reduce its carbon footprint.
February 19, 2015
Walmart workers to get raises
Nearly 40 percent of Walmart’s hourly workers will get a pay raise within the next six months. The retailer also plans to make changes to how it schedules and trains workers.
February 13, 2015
Walmart is messin’ with Texas over liquor law
Walmart is suing Texas over a law that prohibits publicly traded companies from selling liquor in the state. Walmart, including Sam’s Club, is currently the largest seller of beer and wine in Texas and wants to add liquor sales.
February 11, 2015
Walmart’s small formats are decades in the making
Walmart’s interest in smaller stores can be traced back to the 1970’s, according to retired company executive Andy Wilson.
February 11, 2015
Walmart to slow expansion in Canada
Walmart plans to invest $340 million to expand in Canada in its new fiscal year, down from about $500 million last year.
February 10, 2015
Walmart tests grocery pickup in Arizona
Walmart is testing online ordering and in-store pickup of groceries at a store in Chandler and two others in Mesa.
January 29, 2015
Walmart cuts 50 HQ jobs
The job cuts at Walmart are much lower than in year’s past.
January 27, 2015
Did Walmart make America fat?
A new research paper says Americans being able to buy cheap food in bulk quantities is a factor in the nation’s obesity epidemic.
January 23, 2015
Walmart opening new stores in Canada
Walmart Canada plans to open 11 new supercenters this month and 35 this year. Walmart currently operates 280 supercenters and 114 discount stores in Canada.
January 23, 2015
Walmart settles with family of comedian who died in Tracy Morgan crash
The retailer has reached a settlement with the family of James McNair, a 62-year-old comedian, who was killed when Tracy Morgan’s limo collided with a Walmart truck last year.
January 21, 2015
Tax filers can go to Walmart for cash refunds
People who use Direct2Cash software can now pick up their federal tax refunds in cash at Walmart.
January 6, 2015
Aldi beats Walmart on price
A blogger in Manhattan, KS compared prices on 28 items sold in the two chains and found the market basket at Aldi was $64.06 compared to $82.62 at Walmart.
2014
104 articles
December 12, 2014
Learn from Amazon and other pointers from Walmart’s CEO
Interviewed on Charlie Rose, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said, “What Amazon’s doing, and what Jeff’s doing, is showing us and showing the world what’s possible. And I admire that.”
December 10, 2014
Walmart sees big opportunities in small Texas towns
Walmart is opening two types of Neighborhood Markets, one the standard 40,000 square-foot variety and the other a 12,000 square-foot model, in 37 communities across Texas.
December 2, 2014
Walmart logs 1.5 billion cyber views during its ‘New Black Friday’
Walmart’s strategy to create a five-day Black Friday weekend seems to be paying off as the company reported record Cyber Monday orders.
November 25, 2014
Walmart’s merchandising chief to leave company
Duncan Mac Naughton, Walmart’s chief merchandising officer, is expected to announce he is leaving the retailer, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
November 20, 2014
Walmart says it won’t get fooled again
Walmart’s online price match guarantee will apply to 30 major online merchants and not third-party sellers on competitors’ marketplaces.
November 13, 2014
Walmart posts first same-store increase in seven quarters
Walmart managed a same-store increase of 0.5 percent in its U.S. stores even as customer traffic declined during the company’s third quarter.
November 12, 2014
Walmart managers told to step up their grocery performance
A Walmart manager, frustrated over a lack of staff, leaked a corporate memo, which told store leaders they needed to do a better job of managing their grocery inventories.
November 4, 2014
Walmart.com beats supercenters on price
A market basket on Walmart.com was five percent cheaper than the same one sold in the company’s supercenters, according to Kantar Retail.
November 4, 2014
Exec to lead Walmart’s Asia business from Arkansas
Scott Price, Walmart Store’s executive vice-president, strategy and international development, has also added president and CEO of Walmart Asia to his title.
October 31, 2014
Walmart to use rollbacks to roll over Christmas competition
Walmart plans to use low prices and perks like free shipping on the season’s top 100 gifts to grab market share this holiday season.
October 28, 2014
Walmart sorry for ‘fat girls’ costume page
Walmart.com has apologized and taken down the heading “Fat Girl Costumes” from a page for plus-size Halloween outfits.
October 27, 2014
Walmart dives deeper into weather data
Walmart is going beyond adding shovels to its inventory when a snowstorm nears. It is looking to find deeper correlations between weather and what people buy when events occur.
October 24, 2014
Walmart brings ideas from around the globe back to U.S.
Walmart International CEO David Cheesewright says that many new ideas being introduced in the company’s U.S. stores were first tested overseas — from new formats to merchandising ideas and products.
October 22, 2014
Walmart goes all warm and fuzzy with holiday spot
Walmart’s new spot for the holiday season includes a young girl, senior citizens, tennis balls and puppies.
October 17, 2014
Former Walmart U.S. CEO gets seat on Darden board
Bill Simon is returning to the board of directors at Darden’s, the parent company of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and other restaurant chains. Mr. Simon previously served on the company’s board for two years.
October 16, 2014
Walmart CEO wants to get company workers off minimum wage
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said about 6,000 of the company’s 1.3 million workers make the minimum wage. He’s looking to reduce that number to zero over time.
October 9, 2014
Target and Walmart lowball Amazon.com
A study by Wells Fargo and 360pi found Target’s prices were five percent lower than Amazon’s in August while Walmart was 10 percent lower.
October 8, 2014
Walmart cutting health insurance for 30,000 part-timers
About 2 percent of the workforce, those working fewer than 30 hours per week, is affected by the cuts. Walmart is also increasing premiums to those workers who remain on its healthcare plan.
October 6, 2014
Walmart offers health insurance comparison program
Walmart is setting up counters in its stores to enable its customers to compare their healthcare options.
October 1, 2014
Judge rules against Walmart in Mexican bribery suit
U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey has ruled that Walmart will have to defend itself against claims it defrauded investors by making misleading statements to regulators about bribes paid by company officials in Mexico.
October 1, 2014
Tracy Morgan takes a shot at Walmart
The comedian says he can’t believe Walmart is trying to put the blame on him for a crash with one of the company’s trucks and a limousine in which he was a passenger. Walmart has filed legal documents claiming Mr. Morgan bears some responsibility for his injuries because he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
September 30, 2014
Walmart blames Tracy Morgan for injuries in crash
Walmart claims in a legal filing that Tracy Morgan’s injuries in a crash with one of its trucks on the New Jersey Turnpike was due to the comedian failing to wear a seat belt.
September 29, 2014
Walmart opens first Pickup Grocery store today
Back in March, Walmart announced it would open a new pilot concept that enables shoppers to order groceries online and pick them up at the store without having to leave their cars. Today, the test begins.
September 24, 2014
Walmart shoppers to do their banking at the checkout
Walmart is teaming up with Green Dot Bank to allow customers with mobile phones to make deposits at the retailer’s checkouts.
September 23, 2014
Target beats Walmart on price in Canada
Target is looking to use low price as one way to get back into the good graces of Canadian consumers. The same market basket of goods was 3.9 percent cheaper at Target than Walmart in August, according to pricing research conducted by Kantar Retail.
September 17, 2014
Walmart adding Neighborhood Markets in Houston
Walmart plans to open four Neighborhood Market stores in the Houston area over the next year-and-a-half.
September 17, 2014
Chinese state media says Walmart fired whistle-blowers
A post on the official Xinhua News Agency site has accused Walmart of dismissing four workers who went public with charges of food safety violations. The retailer has said the workers were let go due to performance issues.
September 16, 2014
Walmart spokesperson resigns over resume fib
David Tovar, the chief spokesperson for Walmart Stores, has resigned after it was discovered he falsely claimed to have received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware.
September 11, 2014
Walmart publishes kid-picked top toy list for Christmas
The competition for toy purchases becomes more intense as the overall market continues to slow.
August 21, 2014
Walmart rolls back iPhone 5 prices ahead of iPhone 6 launch
Walmart shoppers can now get an iPhone 5s for as low as $79 and an iPhone 5c for 97 cents with a two-year contract with participating carriers.
August 20, 2014
Walmart’s new private label is all about the price
The Price First private label line is Walmart’s answer to Aldi and the big dollar store chains.
August 19, 2014
Should Walmart feel threatened by the dollar stores merger?
Fortune columnist Phil Wahba believes Dollar General, once combined with Family Dollar, could become a “far more formidable rival” for Walmart.
August 18, 2014
A look at Walmart To Go
Photos of a Bentonville Walmart To Go pilot store reveal attempts to compete on numerous levels — with c-stores, dollar stores and urban grocers.
August 15, 2014
Walmart.com gains from Amazon/Disney dispute
Walmart has seen pre-orders of Disney hit movies soar while Amazon continues to play hardball.
August 14, 2014
Walmart posts a profit as same-store struggles continue
U.S. same-store sales at Walmart were flat during the most recent quarter. One bright note was the performance of Neighborhood Market, which saw same-store sales improve 5.6 percent during the period.
August 13, 2014
Walmart ditches mobile app
Walmart’s “Scan & Go” mobile app is no more. The chain’s customers reportedly couldn’t figure out how to use it in 200-store test.
August 4, 2014
Walmart.com to personalize shopping experience
Walmart.com will offer recommendations based on customers’ previous shopping experiences on the site.
July 25, 2014
Study: Walmart pays managers well, associates not so much
New research from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds Walmart pays its store managers better than some industry peers. When it comes to hourly wage workers, Walmart trails those same peers.
July 24, 2014
Walmart must hand over bribery probe docs to shareholder
Walmart has lost its appeal to keep documents related to the company’s investigation of bribery allegations in Mexico from the Indiana Electrical Workers Pension Trust Fund IBEW, a stockholder in the company.
July 23, 2014
Costco, Trader Joe’s and Walmart part of fruit recall
Possible listeria contamination is being cited for a national recall of peaches, nectarines and other fruits sold by Wawona Packing Company.
July 16, 2014
Walmart opens first in-store clinics in South Carolina
Walmart Care Clinics have opened in Florence and Sumter.
July 14, 2014
Tracy Morgan sues Walmart after car accident
The driver of a Walmart truck that collided with the comedian’s limo, killing one of its passengers, was reportedly going 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
July 14, 2014
Columnist: Walmart won’t match Walmart.com’s price
Clark Howard claims he recently found an item on Walmart.com for 35 percent lower than his local store’s price. The store refused to match the online price, leaving Mr. Howard to order it online and pick it up at the same store on the following day to get the lower price.
July 11, 2014
Walmart gets into media buying for vendors
The retailer recently met with 200 marketing executives to discuss Walmart Exchange (WMX), which will be used to, among other things, buy media for its vendors.
July 10, 2014
Unbanked turn to Walmart for financial services
Walmart isn’t permitted by law to operate any banks in the U.S. Maybe it should be.
July 8, 2014
Walmart Exec: Increase in job numbers not helping retailer
Bill Simon, the president and chief executive officer of Walmart’s U.S. business, paints a picture of a retailer that is struggling to grow even as the nation’s economic news improves.
July 7, 2014
Walmart Express ain’t messin’ with East Texas
Local reactions are mixed in East Texas communities where Walmart plans to open its Express concept stores.
June 30, 2014
Court rules against Walmart for closing unionized store
Canada’s Supreme Court ruled that Walmart violated a Quebec labor code by shutting down a store while in negotiations with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFW) union.
June 27, 2014
Walmart cuts iPhone prices
Walmart is dropping its price on the iPhone 5C to $29 and the 5S to $99. Can the next generation of iPhones be far off?
June 24, 2014
Walmart shakes up merchandising organization
Walmart has named 13 executives to bring new energy to its merchandising organization. Scott Huff will become executive vice president responsible for the chain’s merchandising operations in the U.S.
June 20, 2014
Walmart not worried about competing with itself
Walmart management is not concerned that its small store formats might take sales away from its supercenters.
June 13, 2014
Walmart testing employee-friendly in-store clinics
Walmart is testing in-store clinics at three locations that charge employees $4 a visit and customers $40.
June 10, 2014
Walmart.com in reorg following exec’s departure
Fernando Madeira, who was running Walmart.com’s Latin American business, will become the division’s new CEO following the departure of Joel Anderson to join another company.
June 10, 2014
Five Below finds new president at Walmart
Joel Anderson resigned as CEO of Walmart.com to become the president of the teen and tween discount retail chain.
June 6, 2014
Not all fun and games at Walmart’s annual meeting
The retailer’s annual shareholder’s meeting has traditionally been a star-studded affair. While this year’s event may include its fair share of celebrities, the company has some serious business issues to address.
June 6, 2014
Small stores are Walmart’s answer to its traffic problem
Walmart has seen store traffic decline for six consecutive quarters.
May 30, 2014
Walmart defends executive compensation
Walmart has responded to criticism that executive compensation has continued to rise even as performance has slipped. The retailer maintains that its pay structure aligns the interests of executives with those of shareholders.
May 29, 2014
Walmart CEO discusses stores and digital platforms
Walmart’s new CEO, Doug McMillon, believes stores will remain an important part of the company’s future but that digital will continue to grow in importance.
May 27, 2014
Walmart acknowledges Canadian job cuts
Walmart said it eliminated 750 jobs after testing a new management structure in Canadian stores.
May 27, 2014
Shareholder group: Walmart needs a more independent board
Institutional Shareholder Services, which provides advice on how large shareholders should vote on corporate ballots, has criticized the retailer for its handling of foreign bribery allegations.
May 23, 2014
Shareholder group: Walmart needs a more independent board
Institutional Shareholder Services, which provides advice on how large shareholders should vote on corporate ballots, has criticized the retailer for its handling of foreign bribery allegations.
May 23, 2014
Walmart COO discusses anticipating customers’ needs
Gisel Ruiz, COO of Walmart U.S., says the company is focused on trying to anticipate what customers are going to want tomorrow and beyond.
May 19, 2014
Manufacturer benefits from Walmart’s ‘Made in U.S.A.’ push
The owner of three plastics plants in New England is expanding after Walmart gave him the contract to manufacture Wonder Loom bracelet-making kits for the chain.
May 15, 2014
Walmart blames the weather for latest poor quarter
Same-store sales for Walmart in the U.S. have declined for five straight quarters while its customer traffic numbers have been off for six.
May 13, 2014
Walmart’s singular focus plays out across channels
Walmart’s stated mission is to help people save money so they can live better lives. That doesn’t change regardless of the consumer touchpoint with the retailer.
May 12, 2014
Walmart customers pay big fees to in-store banks
Walmart’s customers, many of whom are low income, pay more in fees than those who bank in other retail stores.
May 9, 2014
The leader of the free world goes to Walmart
President Obama held Walmart up as an example for others pursuing energy efficiency.
May 8, 2014
Walmart gets okay to build drive-thru grocery store
Walmart sought and received permission from the Bentonville Planning Commission to build its first drive-thru fulfillment center.
May 6, 2014
Walmart sees online sales pick up
Walmart’s online sales grew 30 percent for the year ending Jan. 31, according to Internet Retailer. Amazon’s sales jumped 20 percent during the same period.
May 2, 2014
Walmart to test drive-thru grocery concept
Walmart is building a store in Bentonville that will be used by customers to pick up grocery orders placed online.
May 1, 2014
Is there anything Walmart can’t sell?
Walmart is getting into the auto insurance business. What business will the retailer enter next?
April 30, 2014
Walmart offers auto insurance service
Walmart has teamed up with AutoInsurance.com to compare insurance policies and costs. The service, which is currently offered in eight states, will be made available nationwide over the next several months.
April 29, 2014
Walmart opens training center for entry-level jobs
Walmart has opened its Talent Center in Irving, TX to train cashiers, stockers, backroom clerks and cart pushers. The facility will handle the training needs for 120 of the company’s stores.
April 24, 2014
Former CEO to leave Walmart board
Lee Scott is stepping down from the company’s board along with Chris Williams, the head of Williams Capital Group.
April 23, 2014
Is Brazil a lost cause for Walmart?
Walmart has been operating in Brazil for more than two decades and it continues to lose money.
April 18, 2014
Walmart looks to disrupt money transfer business
Walmart is rolling out a money transfer service that it says will cut fees by up to 50 percent compared to other services.
April 14, 2014
Walmart has plan to reduce out-of-stocks
Walmart is looking to optimize inventory and add labor hours to keep shelves stocked with product. Walmart sees dealing with the issue as a $3 billion opportunity for its business.
April 14, 2014
Walmart tells Chinese to clean up their act
Walmart says the Chinese system that assigns the retailer and not the manufacturer responsibility to make sure product quality is to promised standards is ill conceived.
April 8, 2014
Walmart adopts new rules for pregnant employees
Walmart is willing to make workplace accommodations for pregnant employees. All they’ll need is a doctor’s note explaining why certain duties might be deleterious to their health or that of their baby.
April 7, 2014
Carrefour and Walmart biding time in India
Some global retailers are waiting on results from the parliamentary elections in India to learn whether the new government will be more or less open to foreign direct investment in the Asian nation.
April 2, 2014
Walmart loses latest decision in gender bias case
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the District Court in Dallas should hear a gender discrimination suit against the retailer. Walmart had sought to have the case dismissed based on it exceeding the statute of limitations.
March 31, 2014
Walmart wants to buy patio furniture made in USA
The retailer has identified outdoor furniture as a category of products that might make sense to buy in the U.S. rather than overseas.
March 28, 2014
Walmart sues Visa over transaction fees
Walmart claims Visa has conspired with banks to fix transaction fees. The retailer is seeking $5 billion in damages.
March 28, 2014
GameStop not sweating competition from Walmart
CEO Paul Raines believes Walmart’s entry into the second-hand video game market will bring more attention and business to GameStop.
March 26, 2014
Walmart sees big upside to small stores
The retailer is testing new concepts and opening smaller stores in an effort to grow its top and bottom lines.
March 26, 2014
Food stamp cuts hurt Walmart
Walmart and many of its customers have been hurt by rollbacks to the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Plan.
March 20, 2014
Walmart sets sights on home improvement market
Walmart is banking on low prices in the outdoor living and lawn and garden categories to help gain market share from rivals such as Home Depot and Lowe’s.
March 18, 2014
Walmart to let customers trade in used video games
Walmart is going after video game rival GameStop with its latest move.
March 17, 2014
Walmart pushes suppliers to reduce fertilizer use
Walmart is working with agricultural suppliers to make more efficient use of fertilizers, a major source of pollution in the nation’s lakes and rivers.
March 12, 2014
Walmart says sales improve with the weather
Walmart CFO Charles Holley told attendees at an investor conference that the chain has had “very good sales” of late.
February 20, 2014
Walmart hurt by cuts to food stamp program
Comparable store sales in the U.S. were down for Walmart in the latest quarter and the world’s largest retailer is not bullish on its future prospects as Congress cuts programs designed to benefit America’s poor.
February 13, 2014
It’s a ‘dirty job’ but someone has to defend Walmart
Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” and ad pitchman fame has come to the defense of Walmart on Facebook following recent criticism of the chain in the press and social media for its role in sending jobs overseas, employment practices, etc.
February 11, 2014
Walmart: supercenters are good for Golden State
A new study released by Walmart concludes the chain’s supercenters have been a positive in areas where it has opened its big box stores and not the downtown business destroyer that critics claim.
February 11, 2014
Walmart commercial promotes ‘Made in America’ initiative
Walmart wants consumers to think of the retailer when seeing signs that American manufacturing is coming back.
February 4, 2014
Walmart to invest $500 million in Canadian growth push
Walmart is looking to add another million square feet of retail space in Canada over the next year.
January 31, 2014
Apple, Walmart pledge to help long-term unemployed
Chief executives of some of the largest companies in America have agreed to support President Obama’s call to end discrimination against the long-term unemployed.
January 29, 2014
Walmart testing grocery pick-up service
Walmart To Go is offering in-store pickup in addition to home delivery in the Denver market.
January 29, 2014
Walmart China to step up inspections
Walmart China has announced it will conduct more vendor inspections following accusations in state media that the retailer uses unlicensed suppliers. The retailer recently recalled donkey meat snacks after it was determined the product included fox DNA.
January 20, 2014
Walmart registers new company in India
Walmart’s first attempt to break into the Indian market ended in a breakup with then partner Bharti Enterprises. Having registered Wal-Mart India Private Ltd., it appears to be ready to make another attempt.
January 16, 2014
NLRB says Walmart violated workers’ rights
The National Labor Relations Board claims the retailer threatened, disciplined and fired more than 60 workers seeking to unionize the workplace. The company denies the charges and says it will prove its case in a court of law.
January 15, 2014
Walmart executive named CFO at Express Scripts
Cathy Smith, who served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president of strategy for Walmart International, has been named the new executive vice president and CFO at the pharmacy benefit management services company.
January 14, 2014
Delhi says no to Walmart
Delhi’s new state government has reversed a previous decision to allow Walmart and other foreign supermarket giants from entering the market.
January 9, 2014
Walmart Hits Bumps in Test of Global Replenishment System
Unnamed suppliers say Walmart is still working out the bugs as it tests a new global replenishment system.
January 2, 2014
Walmart Issues Donkey Meat Recall in China
Supplies of donkey meat sold by Walmart in China have been found to include the DNA of fox and other animals. The company has recalled the product from the more than 400 stores it operates in the Asian nation.
2013
139 articles
December 30, 2013
Sam’s is Important Part of Walmart’s China Strategy
Indicating a big disparity in income level, according to Walmart, about 90 percent of its Sam’s customers in China drive to the locations, whereas that figure is around 10 percent for its Supercenters.
December 13, 2013
Walmart Names Executive to Lead India Unit
Krish Iyer has been named president and CEO of Walmart’s business in India. The retailer ended a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises in that country in October.
December 13, 2013
Ivy League Students Say Walmart Not For Them
Students at Ivy League schools were asked if they thought it would be a positive or negative development if Walmart opened a store on their campus.
December 10, 2013
Walmart Names New International Chief
David Cheesewright, the current president and CEO of Walmart’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Canada businesses, will take over as CEO of Walmart International on Feb. 1, 2014. He replaces Doug McMillon who was named the company CEO last month.
December 9, 2013
Dollar General Moves Into Walmart’s Territory
How big a threat does Dollar General pose to Walmart’s market share? That question may soon be answered as the two chains go head-to-head in states such as Florida.
December 4, 2013
Walmart to Open First Two Stores in Nation’s Capital
Walmart will hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies at its first two stores in Washington, D.C. today. The chain may add up to four more locations in the city.
December 4, 2013
Walmart Pays Legal Fees For Execs in Bribery Cases
The company is paying for lawyers who represent more than 30 executives caught up in an U.S. Justice Department investigation into alleged foreign corruption.
November 25, 2013
Walmart Names New CEO
Doug McMillon, who has lead Walmart’s international operations, will take over as the company’s chief executive officer on Feb. 1, one day after current CEO Mike Duke retires.
November 22, 2013
Cyber Monday Starts on Saturday For Walmart
The world’s largest retailer has plans in place to take the fight to Amazon.com.
November 20, 2013
Walmart Matching Rivals’ Black Friday Deals Now
Walmart isn’t waiting until Black Friday to go toe-to-toe on pricing with Best Buy and Target.
November 19, 2013
Walmart Seeks Food Donations For Its Employees
A Walmart in Canton, OH is running a food drive asking employees to help their fellow workers during the holiday season. The company says it indicates just how much its employees care for one another.
November 19, 2013
Amazon’s Toy Prices Beat Walmart
Amazon.com’s toy prices were three percent lower on average than Walmart’s based on a comparison of 87 items, according to Bloomberg Industries.
November 15, 2013
Macy’s and Walmart: A Tale of Two Americas
One chain’s fourth quarter outlook is bright and the other’s is gloomy as the growing gap between the haves and have-nots plays out in retail earnings reports.
November 14, 2013
Walmart’s Outlook Down on Weak Comps
Dollar sales at Walmart stores open at least a year were down 0.3 percent in the latest quarter. The chain’s Neighborhood Market format saw comp sales rise 3.4 percent during the period.
November 14, 2013
Are McD’s and Walmart Welfare Queens?
The author questions whether American taxpayers are picking up tabs that large corporations should be paying.
November 12, 2013
Walmart Opening Even Earlier on Thanksgiving
Forget about waiting until 8:00 p.m. to shop on Thanksgiving. Walmart is opening two hours earlier than last year in a bid to get a lead on its retailing rivals.
November 12, 2013
Walmart and Starbucks Recruit Veterans
The two companies believe that former members of America’s armed services make good employees.
November 5, 2013
Walmart Doesn’t Get Millennials
Walmart is struggling to understand what it needs to do to capture a greater share of Gen Y’s retail purchases.
November 1, 2013
Walmart Starts Black Friday Rollbacks Early
Walmart has put seven of its Black Friday deals online well ahead of the traditional start of the holiday selling season.
November 1, 2013
Walmart Promotes ‘Made in America’
The retailer announced that its stores will be supplied by three new factories manufacturing products in the U.S.
October 29, 2013
Walmart Hopes ‘Promotions’ Improve Its Image
Walmart is promoting its plans to promote roughly 25,000 people before the end of its fiscal year.
October 23, 2013
Millennials Like Walmart
Millennials are becoming parents and they are not nearly as self-involved and image conscious as popular opinion suggests. At least that’s what a new report from Barkley puts forth.
October 17, 2013
Walmart Opens After Very Long Wait in Vermont
It took more than 20 years for Walmart to get a permit and finally open a store in the rural community of St. Albans.
October 16, 2013
Walmart’s Same-Day Grocery Test Moves to Denver
“Walmart to Go” is being expanded beyond the San Francisco Bay area to the Mile High City.
October 16, 2013
Kenyan Retailer Nixes Deal With Walmart
Naivas, a retailer based in Kenya, has decided to call off talks to sell a controlling stake to Walmart’s Massmart subsidiary based in South Africa.
October 15, 2013
Investors Want Details on Walmart’s U.S. Growth Plan
The retailer’s stock price has languished and investors are looking for signs of domestic growth.
October 15, 2013
Food Stamp Recipients Clean Out Walmart Stores
A couple of Walmarts in Louisiana saw their grocery shelves picked clean when a computer blackout allowed food stamp recipients to fill up carts without a spending limit.
October 14, 2013
Walmart Teams With NFL to Score Big on Black Friday
Walmart is serious about driving traffic to its stores on Black Friday and that’s why it is running spots during NFL broadcasts on Thanksgiving this year.
October 11, 2013
Walmart Model Doesn’t Always Translate
The world’s largest retailer has found tough or no going in places such as Germany, India, Russia and South Korea.
October 9, 2013
Walmart and Bharti End Joint Venture in India
Walmart will need to find another Indian partner if it wants to open stores in the Asian nation.
October 8, 2013
Walmart Store Doesn’t Pass Stock Inspection
A new manager is getting the Walmart in Pittsfield, MA cleaned up. But a clean store only makes its empty shelves all the more obvious, according to Walter Loeb.
October 7, 2013
Walmart Pursues Profits ‘Made in America’
Walmart sees a number of reasons for sourcing products closer to its U.S. headquarters and all of them have to do with the profit motive.
October 7, 2013
Walmart and Bharti Plan Indian Expansion
The joint venture partners are presently discussing next steps based on the limitations placed on foreign companies investing in the Asian nation.
October 2, 2013
Walmart Goes Head to Head With Publix on BOGOs
Walmart is intent on grabbing market share away from Florida’s most popular grocery chain.
October 1, 2013
Walmart to Open Two Online Fulfillment Centers
Walmart is opening centers in Bethlehem, PA, and Fort Worth, TX to help it compete with Amazon.com.
September 27, 2013
Li & Fung Sees No Cutback in Walmart Orders
The world’s largest supplier of clothing and toys to retailer says it is business as usual with Walmart. Previous reports suggested Walmart might be reining in its inventory.
September 26, 2013
Walmart Looking to Reduce Inventory
The world’s largest retailer is looking to balance supplies it carries in its warehouses and stores with consumer demand.
September 18, 2013
Analyst: Prices Rising at Walmart, Dollar General, Family Dollar
In a New Jersey survey of stores, Stern Agee & Co. retail analyst Charles Grom found that retail prices rose for a basket of 42 consumer items at Walmart and two of the big dollar store chains.
September 17, 2013
Walmart Undercuts Competitors on Beer Prices
Walmart is selling close to cost to on some popular beers as it makes a push for share in the category.
September 12, 2013
Walmart Releases Hot Holiday Toy List
Walmart embraces Christmas Creep with a list of toys selected by kids that it says will be big sellers this upcoming holiday season.
September 12, 2013
Is India in Walmart’s Future?
Walmart is said to be close to making a decision on whether to commit to or quit the Indian market.
September 10, 2013
Walmart Joins Smartphone Trade-In Bandwagon
Walmart is the latest company to launch a trade-in program offering customers credit for old smartphones, starting September 21st. Walmart and Sam’s Clubs stores are participating; 100 models are included; and the payout will be $50 to $300 per phone.
September 6, 2013
Walmart Protests Lead to Arrests
Current and former workers at Walmart along with supporters protested in cities across the U.S. yesterday. Law enforcement authorities reported making arrests of protestors in New York and Los Angeles.
September 5, 2013
Walmart Fires Assistant Manager Over Facebook Post
An assistant store manager who took to Facebook to criticize the dress of Muslim women didn’t go unnoticed or unpunished.
August 28, 2013
Walmart Includes Same-Sex Partners in Health Coverage
On Monday, Walmart employees received notification that “full-time associates can cover any spouse or domestic partner,” regardless of the gender of that partner. The health care policy change will be applicable to all 50 states, including those where same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships are not legal.
August 23, 2013
Walmart Promotes ‘Made in America’ at Two-Day Summit
The purpose of the U.S. Manufacturing Summit in Orlando is for stakeholders to come together to “drive investment in American manufacturing,” according to Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon.
August 23, 2013
CEO: Walmart Recruiting Silicon Valley’s Best and Brightest
Walmart is making large investments in technology and that includes finding top talent, according to CEO Mike Duke.
August 16, 2013
Walmart Adding Lockers to D.C. Area Stores
Walmart is adding lockers as part of a test associated with its site-to-store service.
August 15, 2013
Walmart Cuts Forecast, Blames Payroll Taxes
Walmart reported that store traffic was down in the second quarter as consumers took home less money in their paychecks.
August 12, 2013
Walmart Pursues Growth Opportunity in Pet Insurance
The pet insurance market is growing at 13 percent a year, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
August 8, 2013
Walmart Brews Up Big Sales Increase in Beer
Walmart has doubled the number of “adult beverage buyers” from six to 12 in the past year as it focuses on grabbing share in the beer category.
August 8, 2013
Walmart to Make Safety Improvements at 2,857 Stores
Walmart has reached an agreement with the Department of Labor to lock trash compactors when the machines are not in use and to train employees how to properly handle chemicals.
August 7, 2013
Walmart May Bid for Hong Kong Supermarket Chain
The ParknShop grocery chain is valued at $4 billion and would make a nice fit for Walmart as it continues to develop in the Chinese retailing market.
July 31, 2013
Walmart, Others Back ‘Patent Troll’ Legislation
Walmart, Dell and Google are among the companies backing legislation in both houses of Congress that would protect them from firms that make make large sums suing others for patent infringement.
July 26, 2013
Walmart Looks to Speed Up Digital Experience
Walmart Lab’s latest acquisition, Torbit, has developed technology that reduces the loading time of pages no matter what browser is being used.
July 25, 2013
McD’s and Walmart Defend Pay Scales
Both companies emphasize the ability of conscientious workers to get ahead over what they pay as entry-level employees.
July 18, 2013
Walmart Goes Small in British Columbia
Walmart opened its first Neighborhood Market in Vancouver.
July 12, 2013
Regional Grocery Chains Make Walmart Work for Market Share
Walmart has a national reach, but regional grocers still find ways to compete successfully with the retailing giant.
July 10, 2013
Walmart to Open Fewer Stores if DC Living Wage Bill Passes
The retailer is crying foul over a proposed bill that would require it to pay $5 above the minimum wage for workers in stores it plans to open in the nation’s capital.
July 8, 2013
Publix Fights Walmart on Prices
The grocery chain is posting prices so customers can see they can save more than by going to Walmart.
July 8, 2013
Walmart Neighborhood Market Will Cater to Spanish Speakers
A new Walmart Neighborhood Market, scheduled to open later this month in Omaha, will have signs in English and Spanish. It will also have a large number of bilingual employees wearing “Hablo Espanol” badges.
July 8, 2013
Walmart/DC Leaders Tell Different Stories About ‘Living Wage’
Walmart is crying foul over a living wage bill before the Washington, DC city council, but local leaders say company representatives previously pledged to pay even higher wages than called for in the legislation.
July 3, 2013
Walmart Finds Way Around Banking Restrictions
Progress Financial, which makes loans to Walmart customers and others, is run by a former executive at the retail chain and has a venture capital firm owned by the Walton family as its largest shareholder.
July 3, 2013
Walmart Canada Searches for Toy Testers
Walmart is looking for parents and kids to take part in its second annual Great Big Toy Testing Event.
July 1, 2013
Walmart Launches Second ‘Get On The Shelf’ Contest
What products will win shelf space in Walmart stores in this year’s contest?
June 27, 2013
Walmart is Latest to Dump Deen
The fallout continues for celebrity chef Paula Deen over her use of the N-word in the past.
June 26, 2013
Head of Walmart India Leaves Joint Venture
Raj Jain, CEO of the Bharti Walmart, is leaving the joint venture which is under investigation for possible violations of U.S. bribery laws.
June 25, 2013
Walmart’s Price Comparison Ads Work
Walmart continues to pick up grocery market share. The company is running local price comparison commercials in 70 markets around the U.S.
June 21, 2013
Russian Hypermarket CEO Thinks Walmart Should Buy His Chain
Patrick Longuet thinks his 85-store O’Key chain would provide a good way for Walmart to enter the Russian market.
June 19, 2013
Walmart Playing Catch Up to Amazon Online
The world’s largest retailer is looking to use its physical store assets to first catch and then overtake Amazon.com as the biggest seller of goods online. Walmart still has a ways to go.
June 18, 2013
Kroger, Walmart Making Moves in Richmond Market
Martin’s Food Markets and Food Lion have the top two shares of the grocery market in Richmond, VA, but larger rivals, Kroger and Walmart, are closing in quickly.
June 17, 2013
Publix Demonstrates Its Anti-Walmart Prowess
Much of what Publix is doing with its latest stores reflects a more finely-pointed strategy of providing whatever Walmart cannot.
June 13, 2013
Walmart Hiring Focuses on Temps
Although Walmart has more stores, it actually has fewer total employees working in them today than at the end of 2009. Walmart is turning to temporary workers to meet its labor needs during busy times.
June 11, 2013
Walmart Labs Buys Predictive Intelligence Firm
Walmart has acquired Inkiru and its “active learning system” to help the retailer improve its data analytics capabilities.
June 10, 2013
Walmart Canada and P&G Launch Virtual Stores
Commuters at 50 bus stops in Toronto can scan posters with QR codes to order items that will be delivered to their doors for free.
June 10, 2013
Aldi’s Store Brands Cheaper Than Publix and Walmart
Aldi’s no frills approach comes with one obvious benefit for customers.
June 7, 2013
Walmart Looking for Second Half Rebound
The world’s largest retailer expects to overcome its slow start to the year as consumers find ways to adapt to their own private financial challenges.
June 7, 2013
Shareholders Unhappy With Walmart Over Mexico Bribery Case
Some investors are wondering why so little has apparently happened more than a year after Walmart’s legal issues in Mexico came to light.
June 4, 2013
Walmart Offering Refund For Funky Produce
The retailer is looking to address issues that consumers have with its produce offerings by sourcing locally for increased freshness and by backing up what it sells with a money back guarantee.
May 31, 2013
Walmart Takes Lead on Factory Safety
Walmart is meeting with other retailers, trade associations and the Bipartisan Policy Center to develop a unified response to concerns about worker safety in Bangladesh.
May 29, 2013
Walmart Pleads Guilty to Illegally Dumping Hazardous Waste
Walmart has agreed to pay $81.6 million for violating the Clean Water Act.
May 24, 2013
Walmart May Tie Exec Compensation to Staying In Stock
The brokerage firm Acosta is plastering neon green dots on Walmart’s shelves where product is absent to alert workers. Manager and exec performance may soon be assessed based on some new metrics, including OSA — on-shelf availability.
May 23, 2013
Former Bush Administration Official Joins Walmart
Dan Bartlett, a former senior counselor to President George W. Bush, is Walmart’s new executive vice president of corporate affairs.
May 21, 2013
Walmart China Announces Executive Resignations
Stephanie Wong has resigned as senior vice president of Walmart China “to pursue other opportunities” and Carol Fung, vice president of hypermarket merchandising, grocery and consumables, has left the company for “personal reasons.”
May 21, 2013
Judge Orders Walmart to Turn Over Mexico Bribery Documents
A group of Walmart shareholders filed a suit seeking access to company documents related to the bribery scandal in Mexico.
May 20, 2013
Seattle’s Best Opening Drive-Thrus in Walmart Parking Lots
Seattle’s Best plans 10 drive-thru/walk-up stores in the Dallas area with most located in Walmart parking lots.
May 16, 2013
Walmart’s Q1 Numbers Come Up Short
Same-store sales were down 1.4 percent in the latest quarter for Walmart U.S.
May 15, 2013
Walmart Goes Its Own Way On Bangladesh
Walmart believes it can do a good job of keeping workers safe in the Bangladeshi factories that produce its products through its own system of inspections rather than following the guidelines being adopted by a number of European retailers.
May 13, 2013
Will Marketplace Help Kroger Outpace Walmart?
Kroger is opening its larger Marketplace format stores to better compete with Walmart’s Supercenters.
May 9, 2013
Walmart Ad Targets Publix
A new price challenge commercial by Walmart says consumers can save 13 percent by shopping in its stores instead of going to Publix.
May 8, 2013
Who Will Be Next to Lead Walmart?
Doug McMillion, who runs Walmart’s international operations, and Bill Simon, the company’s boss in the U.S., are the two candidates most likely to replace CEO Mike Duke when he steps down.
May 6, 2013
Walmart Sees Opportunities in Novel Mobile Technologies
Walmart’s tech gurus are intrigued by the potential of wearable technology, mobile content and location-based services.
May 6, 2013
Walmart Launches ‘Real Walmart’ Campaign
The retailer has launched a television and online campaign to let consumers know how it is saving America money and putting its citizens to work.
May 3, 2013
Walmart Exec Says Stores Give It Edge Over Amazon
Walmart is making use of mobile to take advantage of its physical presence and turn the showrooming tables on Amazon.com.
May 2, 2013
Walmart Beats Dollar Store Chains on Price
Walmart offered lower prices 85 percent of the time on grocery, health and beauty care and pharmacy purchases compared to Dollar General, according to a 22-month study conducted by Bloomberg Industries.
May 2, 2013
Walmart Seeks Technological Advantage
The world’s largest retailer is devoting its vast resources to vanquishing rivals across all shopping channels.
April 30, 2013
More Chains Accept PayPal in Stores, But Not Walmart
Fifty more retailers, including Brookstone, Burger King, Nordstrom and Sephora, have agreed to accept PayPal payments in stores. Walmart, however, remains a holdout.
April 26, 2013
Asda Could Teach Walmart Some E-Commerce Tricks
Citigroup analyst Deborah Weinswig believes the Walmart could learn a few things from its British chain.
April 25, 2013
Walmart Has Sights Set on Publix
Walmart is throwing up stores all over Florida in a bid to capture greater share of the grocery market.
April 11, 2013
Exec Who Called Walmart Feb. Sales ‘Total Disaster’ Leaves Chain
Jerry Murray, a vice president of finance and logistics, left Walmart after spending seven years with the company. His departure, according to Walmart, had nothing to do with an email of his made public that described poor sales at the chain in early February.
April 9, 2013
Walmart’s Marketing Takes Local Approach
Walmart is dedicating more of its ad budget to buying time in targeted local markets.
April 5, 2013
Fewer Employees Lead to Holes on Shelves at Walmart
Walmart contends that it doesn’t have a significant issue with maintaining in-store inventories, but not everyone is convinced.
April 3, 2013
How Dollar Stores Have Gotten a Leg Up on Walmart
The growth of dollar store chains has been phenomenal while Walmart’s growth has slowed and, surprisingly, the reasons don’t all come down to low prices.
April 2, 2013
Walmart Shopper Emails Back Up Bloomberg Report
More than 1,000 emails from Walmart shoppers support a Bloomberg News report that stores are suffering a high number of out-of-stocks because they are understaffed. Walmart continues to claim the reports are misleading and that the vast majority of its locations are adequately stocked.
March 26, 2013
Bloomberg and Walmart at Odds Over Empty Shelves Report
Bloomberg News says Walmart is seeing customers switching to other retailers because of empty shelves. Walmart says the news service is wrong.
March 26, 2013
Walmart Sues UFCW, Supporters For Trespassing
Walmart is looking to put a stop to rallies on its properties in Florida.
March 25, 2013
Publix Hits Walmart with Price Comparison Ads
New ads from Publix are showing consumers how they can save money shopping with the retailer vs. going to Walmart.
March 22, 2013
Walmart Goes After Stop & Shop in New Commercials
Walmart wants people in the Bay State to know that they could save a lot of money if they choose to shop in its stores instead of Stop & Shop.
March 20, 2013
Walmart Prioritizes E-Commerce
Walmart is planning to expand into markets overseas, develop its Pangaea technology platform and improved its distribution network.
March 19, 2013
Walmart May Shift Some Manufacturing Out of Bangladesh
Walmart may move some of its manufacturing to nations that pay higher wages after a tragic fire at an unauthorized factory in Bangladesh left garment workers there dead.
March 11, 2013
Walmart Retreating (or Regrouping) in NYC Efforts
In the face of multi-sided opposition, Walmart insists it has not completely abandoned its plans of setting up shop in New York City, however the company is clearly scaling back lobbying efforts.
March 11, 2013
Leslie Dach Resigns From Walmart Post
As executive vice president of corporate affairs, Leslie Dach was tasked with modernizing Walmart’s image through high-profile green efforts and philanthropy.
March 1, 2013
Walmart Says It Saved Consumers Billions on Produce
Walmart said it saved shoppers $1.2 billion on fresh produce in 2012 as part of a company initiative to give more people access to nutritious foods.
February 28, 2013
Walmart’s Simon Worried About Holes on Store Shelves
Bill Simon, CEO of Walmart U.S., said the chain needs to replenish stock in stores more quickly before the problem has an adverse effect on sales.
February 27, 2013
Walmart Ahead of Schedule Online
Walmart is looking to generate $9 billion in global e-commerce sales this year and appears to be on its way to surpassing that goal.
February 22, 2013
Walmart OOS on Some Gun Models
Americans are rushing out to buy guns and that has put pressure on retail inventories.
February 19, 2013
Exec’s E-Mail Goes Public: Walmart Having Tough February
A purported email sent by Jerry Murray, Walmart’s vice president of finance and logistics, refers to the chain’s February sales numbers as a “disaster.”
February 15, 2013
Walmart Looks to India to Meet IT Needs
Walmart plans to outsource more of its back-office projects and software development to information technology vendors in India.
February 15, 2013
Schnucks Calls Walmart Ads Misleading
Schnucks is the latest retailer to cry foul over price comparison ads being run by Walmart.
February 12, 2013
Conservatives Choose Walmart Over Trader Joe’s
A study published in “Psychological Science” concludes that politically and religiously conservative consumers prefer Walmart to Trader Joe’s because they prefer to buy tried and true name brands to store branded products.
February 11, 2013
Columnist: Why Can’t Walmart Support Our Local Guys?
Plant City, Florida, according to Steve Otto of the Tampa Tribune, is the “the winter strawberry capital of the United States” and so he’s not surprised that, at the height of the harvesting season, local farmers took umbrage at Walmart’s practice of importing the fruit from Mexico.
February 8, 2013
Walmart Idol
Watch the video and learn why Kayla Slone has become an internet sensation working the register at Walmart.
February 5, 2013
Walmart to Open First Neighborhood Market in Charlotte
The chain continues to fill in market areas with smaller stores.
February 1, 2013
Walmart 1 – UFCW 0 in Labor Relations Board Deal
The United Food and Commercial Workers will stop picketing Walmart stores as part of an agreement reached with the National Labor Relations Board.
February 1, 2013
Whistle Blower Being Sued by Mexican Pol Tied to Walmart Bribery Case
Graco Ramirez, the governor of Morelos who was implicated in Walmart e-mails as negotiating a bribe with the retailer, has sued a former lawyer turned whistle blower at the company.
January 31, 2013
Amazon.com Grows Like No Others, Except Maybe Walmart
The normal math used to assess retail success doesn’t seem to apply to Amazon.com, which helps explain why investors love its top line sales and market share numbers and pay less attention to profits.
January 31, 2013
Walmart: America’s Grocer
Groceries accounted for 20 percent of Walmart’s sales ten years ago. Today groceries make up 55 percent of the chain’s total sales.
January 30, 2013
Walmart to Open Express Stores in Rural NC
Walmart is planning to open a number of 12,000 – 15,000 square-foot stores that have a pharmacy, fresh produce and other grocery items.
January 23, 2013
Walmart Expanding Canadian Footprint
Walmart Canada plans to open nine new supercenters while remodeling other stores by the end of Jan. 2014.
January 23, 2013
Murderer Stopped Before Bringing Mayhem to Walmart
A teenager in Mexico who allegedly killed his mother, father and three younger siblings intended to continue his murder spree at a local Walmart, but fortunately was caught by law enforcement authorities before reaching the store.
January 22, 2013
Walmart Has Zero Tolerance for Violations of Sourcing Standards
Walmart has told suppliers they need to fully comply with sourcing agreements in the wake of a fire that killed more than 100 garment workers at a factory in Bangladesh.
January 18, 2013
Walmart Sees Opportunities Through Affordable Care Act
Walmart is expanding the number of medical clinics operating in its stores and also looking at building its own private health insurance exchange for small business owners.
January 17, 2013
Walmart Opening Its Smallest Store in the U.S.
Georgia Tech in Atlanta is getting a Walmart on Campus test concept store.
January 15, 2013
Walmart Pledges To Do More U.S. Sourcing
Walmart U.S. chief executive Bill Simon announced at the NRF annual convention that over the next decade the retailer will buy an additional $50 billion in U.S.-made products to do its part in helping to boost the domestic economy.
January 15, 2013
Walmart Extends Job Offers to Vets
A more extensive Walmart program will see job offers extended to most recently discharged vets. The chain expects to hire over 100,000 vets over the next five years.
January 11, 2013
Lawmakers: Walmart CEO Knew of Bribery in 2005
Lawmakers say Walmart e-mails contradict claims by the company as to when top executives became aware that bribes were being handed out in Mexico.
January 9, 2013
Walmart Caught Up in Warehouse Workers Lawsuit
A federal District Court judge has ruled that Walmart may be included in a class action suit brought against a third-party provider of logistics services that operates a warehouse for the chain in California.
January 8, 2013
Walmart to Offer Disc-to-Digital Service Online
Until now, had to go to a Walmart store to have their physical DVDs converted to digital. Soon they will be able to take advantage of the service from the comfort of their homes.
January 4, 2013
Walmart: All’s Fair in Love, War and Retailing
Rivals claim that Walmart’s price comparison ads straddle the line between misleading and downright false. The world’s largest retailer disagrees with that assessment.
2012
103 articles
December 18, 2012
Walmart Responds to NY Times Bribery Allegations
In reaction to a New York Times piece that made specific allegations of bribery within Walmart’s Mexican subsidiary, the retailer said the incidents are part of the continuing Federal investigation that began over a year ago.
December 12, 2012
Walmart CEO: Shoppers Affected by ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Talks
Mike Duke said around 10 percent of Walmart shoppers say their holiday purchases will be affected by concerns related to the “fiscal cliff” talks taking place in the nation’s capital.
December 11, 2012
Walmart Changing Practices to Better Control Manufacturing
A fire in a factory that resulted in the deaths of more than 100 workers has led Walmart to reevaluate its manufacturing supplier policies.
December 10, 2012
RT-Mart Outdoes Walmart in China
RT-Mart is China’s homegrown answer to Walmart and other Western big box retailers.
December 4, 2012
Walmart No Longer Talking with HuffPost
Walmart has said it will no longer comment on stories written on the Huffington Post after deciding that the company is being unfairly singled out for criticism on the site.
December 3, 2012
One-Third Would Consider Walmart as Mortgage Provider
Consumers concerned with getting the best deal on mortgages are open to alternative sources of financing, according to a survey by Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group.
November 21, 2012
NLRB Not Ready to Rule on Planned Black Friday Walkouts at Walmart
The National Labor Relations Board said it would not be able to issue a ruling on whether or not a planned walkout by an unknown number of Walmart workers on Black Friday represents an illegal job action. The NLRB put off a decision citing the complexity of the legal issues surrounding the case.
November 19, 2012
Walmart Tries to Head Off Worker Walkout on Black Friday
Walmart has filed a complaint with the federal government alleging that the United Food and Commercial Workers is trying to illegally force the company into bargaining with the union on behalf of the chain’s employees. Workers unhappy with Walmart’s personnel policies are planning to walk out of stores on Black Friday.
November 15, 2012
Walmart Sees Tough Competition in Q4
The world’s largest retailer is downplaying its prospects for the fourth quarter even after posting sold Q3 numbers.
November 14, 2012
Walmart Debuts Food Sample Service
Subscribers to Goodies.co will receive samples of five to eight products not found on Walmart’s shelves for $7 a month including shipping and tax.
November 12, 2012
Walmart Employees to See Premiums Rise in 2013
Walmart employees participating in one of the company’s healthcare insurance options will see premiums rise between eight and 36 percent in 2013. The company is blaming the increases on rising costs.
November 8, 2012
Walmart Rolls Back Black Friday to Thursday
Walmart announced a Black Friday start time for this season that will be its earliest ever — 8 pm on Thanksgiving. Door busters will include video games for $10 and a Mr. Coffee maker for $9.44.
November 7, 2012
Walmart Canada, Mattel Open Virtual Toy Store
Consumers walking Toronto’s PATH underground can now place orders for popular Mattel toys at Walmart. An added bonus is that every order comes with free shipping.
November 5, 2012
Walmart and Pepsico Answer NY Governor’s Calls for Help
Gov. Andrew Cuomo called over the weekend and Pepsico and Walmart sent tractor trailers loaded with products including cleaning products, games for kids and, of course, water.
November 5, 2012
Target and Walmart Are Not That Different
Target and Walmart carry about 80 percent of the exact same merchandise.
October 31, 2012
Boxee TV Start-Up Gets Placement in Walmart
The $99 Boxee TV product offers live streaming programming. It will be supported at Walmart by a significant in-store promotional campaign.
October 30, 2012
Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart Act Quickly to get Goods in Place After Storm
Big Box retailers planned ahead, with command centers, distribution points, extra trucks and product, and even bringing in employees from outside the affected area.
October 26, 2012
Walmart Plans 100 New Stores in China
The world’s largest retailer announces three-year expansion plan in the Asian nation.
October 25, 2012
Walmart Announces Compliance Department Reorg
Walmart has merged its compliance, ethics, investigations and legal offices into one department reporting to the company’s general counsel. The reorganization comes in the wake of a federal investigation into allegations the company engaged in widespread bribery to grow its store base in Mexico.
October 25, 2012
Walmart Greens Supply Chain On International Scale
Walmart has announced a series of initiatives to improve the sustainability of its supply chain around the world.
October 23, 2012
Walmart Needs Big Data Engineers
There are numbers to be crunched and Walmart is investing in technology workers to get ahead of the curve.
October 22, 2012
Walmart Targets Target in Target’s Backyard
Walmart is ramping up its number of stores in Minnesota.
October 17, 2012
Kroger Sees Marketplace Concept as Answer to Walmart
Kroger is looking to open more stores that sell clothing as well as groceries in a bid to capture greater share of the total retailing market.
October 11, 2012
Walmart Feeling Good About Holiday Prospects
Walmart is looking to build off a strong back-to-school season with an even better Q4.
October 11, 2012
Study Concludes Dollar General Prices Lower Than Walmart’s
A market basket study by Kantar found that prices for the same items at Dollar General were 18 percent lower than those charged by Walmart.
October 10, 2012
Walmart Deals With Disgruntled Workers
Workers at a small number of stores and warehouses have staged walkouts, marking the first time in Walmart’s 50 years of business that has happened.
October 8, 2012
Walmart, Amex in Deal to Offer Prepaid Card
Bluebird, a prepaid card that Walmart and American Express see as an alternative to credit and debit cards, will be available in 4,000 of the retailer’s stores beginning next week.
September 24, 2012
Walmart Leads Market for Mobile Check-Ins
Walmart captured 38.3 percent of mobile check-ins in the U.S. during June, according to LocalResponse. Target (15.4 percent), Costco (9.3 percent), Best Buy (7 percent) and Walgreens (6 percent) were next in order.
September 21, 2012
First Walmart Stores in India Expected Within Two Years
In the midst of scattered local protests throughout the country, Walmart’s Scott Price, president and CEO for Asia, said, “Two years would be a reasonable time frame” to get the first of its Indian stores open.
September 20, 2012
Local Businesses Beat Walmart at Something!
Recommend.ly study finds local businesses garner more Facebook fans than individual pages for Walmart stores. Walmart started the “My Local Walmart” program a year ago. Walmart’s main Facebook page has 21 million fans, vs. only 2 million total for individual store pages.
September 17, 2012
In Battle for India, Walmart’s Deep Pockets May Win Out
Analysts say a $500 million investment will be needed to kick-start retail efforts for Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour and other global retailers drooling over the Indian consumer market, but in light of Europe’s economic ills, Walmart could presently be the only one in a position to do so.
September 5, 2012
Heeding Complaints, Walmart Lowers Layaway Fee
Although shoppers would have gotten the $15 service fee back after completing payments, gripes about the higher upfront cost have prompted a return to the original $5 charge.
August 31, 2012
Walmart Launches Semantic Search Engine – Expects Sales Boost
New Walmart search engine uses algorithms to offer users search results based on interest and intent.
August 24, 2012
Walmart Expands In-Store Immunization Program
According to Walmart, it will be the first national retailer to employ registered nurses to administer vaccinations. Its enhanced program, available in 2,700 Walmart stores, will offer ten of the CDC-recommended shots, including vaccinations for shingles and whooping cough.
August 22, 2012
Says LA Planning Committee, Forget It Walmart, It’s Chinatown
The Los Angeles city planning committee has temporarily banned big box retailers from downtown in efforts to block Walmart from opening a location in Chinatown.
August 17, 2012
Walmart: Consumers Worried, Not Panicked
Although Walmart’s quarterly same-store sales rose 2.2 percent, management is still wary that lower and middle-class shoppers are still reluctant to loosen their purse strings.
August 15, 2012
Walmart to Up Stake in Chinese E-Commerce Site
The Chinese government has given Walmart permission to acquire a majority stake in Yihaodian.
August 9, 2012
Walmart Not Going Online with Joint Venture Partner in India
Bharti Walmart has decided against moving forward with an online venture despite putting a year into the e-commerce project’s development.
August 8, 2012
Retail in the City: Walmart Tinkers
Walmart said it recently closed an Express store in Chicago because of its proximity to one of the company’s Supercenters. Others, however, are questioning if Walmart made the move because it still hasn’t figured out how to make money with its small store format in the big city.
August 7, 2012
Walmart Closes Express Store in Chicago
Does Walmart’s decision to close one of its small stores in Chicago mean the company is rethinking its urban strategy?
August 3, 2012
Walmart Backs Dems’ Plan to Cut Healthcare Costs
Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., has thrown its support behind a plan developed by Democrats that would slow the rate of increases in healthcare spending while improving the delivery of services.
July 31, 2012
Walmart Deals With Another Bomb Scare
Law enforcement officials are investigating whether a bomb threat made against a Walmart store in New Jersey is somehow connected to those made against some of the chain’s stores in Kansas and Missouri over the weekend.
July 30, 2012
Bomb Threats Close Walmarts in Kansas and Missouri
Two Walmarts in Kansas and eight in Missouri were closed briefly following bomb threats Friday and over the weekend. No explosive devices were discovered and law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation.
July 27, 2012
U.S. May Investigate Others in Wake of Walmart Bribery Scandal
Other retailers have reported potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act following revelations that Walmart officials paid bribes to speed its expansion in Mexico.
July 25, 2012
Walmart Voices Opposition to Swipe Fee Deal
Walmart has joined rival Target and the National Association of Convenience Stores in opposing a proposed settlement with MasterCard and Visa over credit card fees.
July 24, 2012
Walmart Faces Entry Hurdles in India
Opposition remains high to foreign direct investment in retail entities in the Asian nation.
July 20, 2012
Walmart and Facebook CEOs to Meet
Walmart CEO Mike Duke and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg are meeting to explore ways to “deepen” the relationship between the two companies.
July 12, 2012
Walmart Faces Legal Scrutiny in India
Questions have been raised as to whether Walmart has violated terms of India’s foreign direct investment act.
July 10, 2012
Walmart: The Next 50 Years
The world’s largest retailer is likely to find the next 50 years more difficult than the company’s first 50.
July 9, 2012
Walmart Rolls Out Financial Services in the U.K.
Walmart’s Asda is following Tesco and other British retailers into the financial services category.
July 6, 2012
Walmart, Carrefour Sidelined in India
While Walmart, Carrefour and other international chains wait for red tape to be untangled so they can enter the Indian market, domestic conglomerates are expanding rapidly to shore up their positions.
June 28, 2012
Walmart Canada Announces Major Price Rollback
Walmart Canada is cutting prices on more than 10,000 items, its single biggest monthly unit rollback in 18 years.
June 21, 2012
Walmart Scales Back Growth Plans in Mexico Amid Probe
Before the Mexico bribery allegations were made public, Walmart planned to open up to 436 new units in that country and Central America. Now the company is looking to open between 325 and 335 new stores.
June 19, 2012
Kantar: Walmart Supercenters Have Better Prices Than Amazon
Will Amazon.com become Walmart’s showroom?
June 15, 2012
Rep Who Posed as Reporter No Longer with Walmart’s PR Agency
An associate who posed as a reporter to interview individuals opposed to Walmart opening a store in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles is no longer with the public relations agency representing the retailer.
June 13, 2012
Lawyers Recommend Walmart Expand Internal Investigation
Outside legal representatives hired by Walmart to evaluate the company’s anti-corruption efforts have recommended the retailer expand its scope to include India and South Africa.
June 12, 2012
New York’s Pension Funds Sue Walmart
Pension funds have filed a suit alleging Walmart executives and board members failed to live up to their fiduciary duty by not taking proper action when they learned of bribes being paid to government officials in Mexico. Instead, the suit alleges, the company tried to cover up the matter.
June 11, 2012
Walmart Rolls Into Manhattan
There’s significant opposition to Walmart opening in New York City, but that hasn’t kept locations from popping up in Manhattan in food truck-like stores.
June 6, 2012
Walmart Tests ‘Doc in a Box’ Service
Walmart is running a pilot that allows doctors to examine patients with minor ailments from remote locations using videoconferencing technology.
May 31, 2012
Walmart to End ALEC Membership
The retail chain is ending its membership with the American Legislative Council (ALEC). The politically conservative organization has come under criticism for its lobbying on behalf of so-called Stand Your Ground laws as well as legislation that restricts voting access.
May 30, 2012
Walmart Targets Best Buy Customers with New Ads
Walmart is running ads in areas where Best Buy is closing stores to draw electronics customers.
May 23, 2012
Pension Fund Votes ‘No Confidence’ in Walmart Board
CalSTRS plans to vote its 5.3 million shares in Walmart against the re-election of all the company’s board members. The pension fund is encouraging all Walmart shareholders to do the same following revelations that company officials paid bribes in Mexico.
May 17, 2012
Small Stores a Slow Build for Walmart
The relatively slow pace of new small store openings by Walmart may be giving competitors the time they need to compete with versions of their own.
May 11, 2012
Walmart: Publix Costing Its Customers Money
Walmart’s newest ad campaign asserts that price alone is reason to leave Publix.
May 10, 2012
Walmart Focused on Existing Markets in Africa
Walmart is looking to expand within existing markets in Africa rather than looking to expand into others, according to Doug McMillon, the retailer’s head of international operations.
May 8, 2012
Target, Walmart Look to Apple to Boost CE Sales
Both of the retail powerhouses are adding Apple shops inside of stores.
May 1, 2012
NY Pension Fund Leaders Want Changes to Walmart’s Board
Reacting to NY Times allegations that Walmart officials failed to report bribery practices in Mexico, a block of New York City pension fund leaders said they will use their 4.7 million share voting rights to oust five Walmart directors.
May 1, 2012
Walmart Learns How to Increase Margins at Its Neighborhood Markets
When first launched in 2000, Walmart was only able to pull about 1 percent profit out of its Neighborhood Market stores, but it has now improved margins to around 3 percent and is adding stores aggressively.
April 30, 2012
In Some Areas, Walmart Offered a Welcome Mat
With economic hardship leaving a rash of retail vacancies in one northeast San Fernando Valley town, the entry of a Walmart Neighborhood Market brings renewed hope.
April 30, 2012
New Trepidation Over Walmart Plans for U.S. Cities
In the wake of the NY Times’ allegations of bribery sanctioned by Walmart de Mexico execs, municipalities in the U.S. are reportedly looking at the company’s expansion plans with more critical eyes.
April 26, 2012
Walmart.com Lets Shoppers Pay with Cash
A new program allows consumers without debit or credit cards to order products online and then go to local stores to pay for them with cash.
April 26, 2012
Walmart Denies Lobbying Against Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Reps. Elijah Cummings and Henry Waxman have asked the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Industry Leaders Association for information related to any efforts by the retailer to lobby for changes to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
April 25, 2012
Mexico Bribery Case Could Slow Walmart’s International Growth
Walmart has been looking outside the U.S. to spur growth, but dealing with allegations of bribes and a high-level corporate cover-up could get in the way.
April 23, 2012
Walmart Dealing with Bribery Accusations
A New York Times report alleges that Walmart’s top management knew the company was regularly violating U.S. and Mexican laws by offering bribes to get construction permits and yet did nothing to stop it.
April 20, 2012
Walmart Going Global with Video Streaming Service
Vudu’s international expansion will begin with Mexico and then roll out to other countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia by year’s end.
April 17, 2012
Walmart Hiring in India for Global IT Push
Walmart is looking to add 200 IT workers in India as the company seeks to develop a platform that will connect its online and store inventories on a global basis.
April 12, 2012
Walmart Canada Gears Up for Target
Walmart is aggressively expanding its footprint and slashing prices ahead of Target’s planned entry into the Canadian market in 2013.
April 10, 2012
Walmart Welcomed in North Omaha
Unlike other urban centers, the residents of North Omaha seem grateful for the entry of a new Walmart into their neighborhood, currently largely devoid of supermarkets.
April 6, 2012
Walmart Falling Behind in Russia
A cautious approach to doing business in Russia has allowed Walmart’s competitors to gain a lead in the fast growing market.
March 30, 2012
‘Walmart of Weed’ Opening Store in Nation’s Capital
WeGrow sells everything but the seeds needed to grow medical marijuana.
March 28, 2012
Walmart’s Commitment to Environmental Issues Questioned
Walmart was a champion of sustainability issues under Lee Scott’s leadership. Has that changed since Michael Duke became CEO in 2009?
March 22, 2012
Walmart Teams Up with Angry Birds
Walmart will offer limited edition Angry Birds merchandise including plush toys, snacks and t-shirts at its U.S. stores. Products will include clues to the new Angry Birds Space game.
March 20, 2012
Walmart Playing Catch Up with Amazon
Walmart may be king of the hill in the world of brick and mortar retailing, but Amazon reigns online.
March 19, 2012
Walmart Touts Itself as Ad Medium for Brands
Walmart has created a “Retail Development Kit” to show marketers all the ways they can promote products through the retailer.
March 14, 2012
Walmart to Give Consumers Access to Movies on the Cloud
Walmart’s “disc to digital” service, launching next month, will allow consumers to see movies they own on the cloud for $2 for standard DVDs and $5 for hi-definition content.
March 9, 2012
Walmart: Out-of-Stocks Cost $5 Billion in Sales
The retailer realizes if it isn’t on the shelf, it can’t sell it.
March 7, 2012
Walmart to Announce Support for UltraViolet Movie Technology
With about a 40 percent share of DVD sales in the U.S., Walmart’s support could spur greater adoption of the technology standard being pushed by Hollywood.
March 7, 2012
Walmart to Open Neighborhood Markets in Bay Area
Walmart is looking to roll out four Neighborhood Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area as part of its plan to open 13 of the smaller stores in California.
March 6, 2012
Walmart Pressing Manufacturers on Price Increases
Just because a manufacturer wants to increase prices doesn’t mean that Walmart is going to accept it.
March 5, 2012
Walmart Price Comparison Ads Target Harris Teeter
Walmart is looking to grab some shoppers from its more upscale grocery rival.
March 1, 2012
Walmart Won’t Change Approach in Canada
Low prices are how Walmart plays the retailing game and it will stay that way even after Target opens its first stores in Canada next year.
February 27, 2012
CEO: Competition with Walmart Made Meijer Stronger
CEO Hank Meijer said that steps the chain has taken over the years has put it in a stronger competitive position within the marketplace.
February 27, 2012
Walmart Plans to Open First Neighborhood Market in LA
Protests accompanied the announcement that Walmart plans to open a store in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.
February 21, 2012
Walmart to Buy Majority Stake in Chinese E-Tailer
Walmart has agreed on a deal to take a 51 percent stake in Yihaodian pending approval from Chinese regulators.
February 16, 2012
Walmart Seeks to Reestablish Price Leader Position
Walmart grew to be the world’s largest retailer by regularly undercutting the competition in key product categories. It’s back to doing that as it seeks to keep same-store sales moving in a positive direction.
February 7, 2012
Former Woolies Exec to Lead Walmart China
Greg Foran has been named president and CEO of Walmart China even though he has no prior experience in that market.
February 7, 2012
Walmart Introducing Healthy Food Seal
Walmart’s “Great for You” seal will be added to applicable private label products as well as produce items.
February 7, 2012
Walmart Plows Millions Into Canadian Operations
Walmart is investing $750 million as it prepares for Target to enter the Canadian market in 2013.
January 27, 2012
Walmart Bringing Big Changes to China
Walmart has forever changed retailing in the U.S. What will its expansion in China mean for that nation?
January 26, 2012
Walmart Says Goodbye to Greeters on Night Shift
Walmart has decided it can make better use of workers previously stationed at the entrances of stores between 11 at night and seven in the morning.
January 19, 2012
Walmart Launches National Search for Best New Products
Walmart’s “Get on the shelf” contest is looking to give inventors a shot at distribution through its stores and website.
January 17, 2012
Walmart Taps CBS Talent for Global E-Commerce
Walmart’s new global e-commerce leader, Neil Ashe, was most recently president of CBS Interactive.
January 5, 2012
Walmart Labs Acquires Mobile Agency
Small Society will be incorporated into Walmart Labs.
2011
105 articles
December 22, 2011
Walmart Removes Formula from Stores Following Infant Death
Although Mead Johnson Nutrition, the manufacturer of Enfamil Newborn powder, says the batch tested negative for the bacterium, Walmart has pulled cans from 3,000 stores nationwide out of caution following the death of a newborn Missouri boy.
December 14, 2011
Walmart Looking Into Possible Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
In its quarterly SEC filing, Walmart disclosed that it is investigating its business practices relative to a federal law that polices bribery and accounting practices for American companies doing business abroad.
December 9, 2011
Walmart Confirms Internal Investigation Into Overseas Operations
Walmart has hired outside lawyers and investigators to help it determine if the company went outside the law with regard to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
December 9, 2011
Walmart Making Holiday Share Grab
Competitors appear to be faced with a resurgent Walmart this holiday season.
December 1, 2011
Walmart Debuts Social Media App
Shopycat uses information from Facebook to recommend what gifts are best for an individual.
November 28, 2011
Best Buy, Macy’s and Walmart Get Strong Starts on Holiday Season
The three big box retailers seemed to have the right mix of product, price, place and promotion as consumers streamed into stores across the country.
November 21, 2011
Walmart Undercuts Rivals on Toy Pricing
Heading into Black Friday, Walmart’s pricing on key toys is nearly five percent lower than Target and Toys “R” Us, according to an analysis by Bloomberg Industries.
November 11, 2011
Walmart Labs Acquires POS Startup
Grabble, the latest company to be acquired by Walmart Labs, has created point-of-sale technology that works with mobile devices.
November 11, 2011
Walmart Behind Higher Choice Beef Prices
Walmart’s decision to begin purchasing better cuts of meat combined with low supplies has helped to drive prices of choice beef up to a nearly eight-year high.
November 10, 2011
Walmart Cuts the Line in Front of Target for Black Friday
In the ongoing game of Black Friday one-upsmanship (or is it now Black Thursday?), Walmart will open stores at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving day, ahead of Target’s midnight openings.
November 10, 2011
Walmart Says It Gave False Impression About Healthcare Initiative
Walmart tried to dismiss assumptions yesterday made about a document it sent to potential medical services providers. “We are not building a national, integrated, low-cost primary care health care platform,” Dr. John Agwunobi, senior vice president & president of Walmart U.S. health & wellness, said in a statement.
November 9, 2011
Walmart Seeks Partners for Wide-Ranging Medical Initiative
According to a report from NPR, Walmart has sent out a request to potential partners that could contribute to the retailer’s efforts to greatly expand its range of consumer medical services.
November 9, 2011
Walmart Aims for Seamlessness in Its Social Commerce Strategy
The fruits of Walmart’s Kosmix acquisition are becoming apparent in the social media features now integrated into the company’s website and newly introduced apps for iPhone and iPad.
November 3, 2011
Walmart Leaks Black Friday Deals Before Others Can
Consumers who sign up at Walmart.com or Walmart’s Facebook page are getting a sneak peak of Black Friday deals from the retailer.
October 28, 2011
Lawyers Take New Approach in Walmart Bias Suit
The Supreme Court overturned one huge class action suit, so lawyers representing 1.6 million current and former female Walmart employees are filing a number of smaller regional cases against the retailer.
October 28, 2011
Walmart Case Shows Current Health Insurance System Doesn’t Work
The rest of the developed world doesn’t depend on an employer-based system of health insurance. The author suggests there are good reasons for that and Walmart’s recent announcement it is cutting back on its plan is just one of them.
October 27, 2011
Walmart Closing NYC Fashion Office
Walmart opened its office in Manhattan a number of years ago to be closer to fashion talent. Having failed at several attempts to upgrade its fashion profile, the retailer has decided it doesn’t require any particular talent to design socks and underwear.
October 25, 2011
Walmart Reopens Stores in China
Walmart’s stores in Chongqing are open nearly two weeks after being closed for selling regular pork labeled as organic.
October 24, 2011
Walmart Guarantees Consumers Lowest Price for Holidays
Walmart’s new price-matching plan guarantees consumers they will get the lowest price on their holiday purchases no matter when they buy them during the season.
October 21, 2011
Walmart Rolling Back Health Benefits for Future Hires
Walmart will not offer health benefits to future employees who work less than 24 hours a week. It will also not extend benefits to spouses of employees who work between 24 and 33 hours weekly.
October 20, 2011
Walmart Expanding Beer Set to Add Craft Brews
Craft brews are going mainstream and you don’t get much more mainstream than Walmart.
October 19, 2011
Walmart Not Giving Up On Russia
Walmart has hired the former CEO of Russia’s largest retailer to help it determine how it can best gain entry into the market.
October 17, 2011
Walmart’s CEO in China Resigns
Ed Chan, CEO of Walmart China, is said to be leaving the company for personal reasons and not the trouble the company has recently had with the Chinese government over safety issues.
October 13, 2011
Walmart Says Same-Store Skid is Over
Walmart says it will post positive same-store results for its U.S. business after nine straight quarterly declines.
October 11, 2011
Walmart Goes Local with Facebook
Walmart and Facebook have announced an agreement that will allow the retailer to tailor deals based on the physical location of the social media site’s users.
October 7, 2011
Walmart Hires Help to Reduce Out-of-Stocks
Walmart has hired Acosta in the U.S. and Retail Insight in the U.K. to do store checks to identify stock supply issues.
September 29, 2011
Lots of Spots for Walmart in Brooklyn
There are at least 20 locations that would make sense for Walmart’s new Express format in this New York City borough.
September 21, 2011
Target to Sell Some Canadian Stores to Walmart
Target plans to sell up to 39 former Zellers in Canada to its chief rival.
September 16, 2011
Apple, Walmart, Home Depot Make Most Valuable Brand List
A report issued by Brand Finance out of the U.K. lists the most valuable brands in the world.
September 16, 2011
Target, Walmart Gain Edge by Holding Line on Prices
Target and Walmart have not taken their prices up as quickly as grocery competitors in Florida.
September 14, 2011
Walmart Labs Buys Mobile/Social Targeting Company
OneRiot is the latest technology acquisition for Walmart as it seeks an advantage through all things digital.
September 12, 2011
Walmart Sees Promise in Social Media and Mobile for Regaining Edge
Now that Walmart is unable to rely solely on low price to draw customers, eyes are on its investments in social media technology, such as its acquisition of Kosmix and the formation of @WalmartLabs.
August 31, 2011
Walmart to Open First Neighborhood Market in Nebraska
Walmart will open a 34,000-square-foot grocery store in northwest Omaha.
August 25, 2011
Walmart Board Blamed for Same-Store Sales Slide
The author suggests that Walmart’s board of directors needs some new blood, preferably with business leaders conversant in digital technology.
August 19, 2011
Walmart Expects Big Growth from Small Stores
Walmart is looking to increase domestic sales by opening Neighborhood Markets and Express stores in urban and rural communities across the nation.
August 15, 2011
Walmart Makes Changes at Online Unit
Walmart is putting the people who run stores in developed markets such as the U.S. in charge of online efforts, as well.
August 12, 2011
Walmart in Washington, D.C. Jobs Program
Walmart is contributing $3 million to a three-year program designed to train 2,000 Washington, D.C. residents to work in retail.
August 10, 2011
Walmart Closing Music Download Store
The world’s largest retailer couldn’t keep up with iTunes.
August 8, 2011
NYPOST: BJ’s Declined Better Offer from Walmart
Walmart offered more than $55 a share for BJ’s, but the bid was rejected over concerns regulators would require a large number of club closings, according to unnamed sources.
August 4, 2011
Walmart Sees Drop in Customer Visits
Bloomberg News, citing an internal Walmart memo, said the chain saw a 2.6 percent decline in customer visits during the February through June period.
August 3, 2011
Pundit Disputes Walmart’s Buy Local Messaging
The blog takes issue with recent reports extolling Walmart’s local approach to product buying.
August 1, 2011
Latest P&G and Walmart Show to Air on NBC
Procter & Gamble and Walmart will premiere the made-for-TV family movie, “Who is Simon Miller?,” on Saturday, August 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
August 1, 2011
Walmart Cuts Costs By Buying Locally
High transportation costs are making local farms a more attractive option for purchasing fruits and vegetables.
July 27, 2011
Walmart Express Open for Business in Chicago
Walmart is opening its first small format store on Chicago’s South Side today.
July 26, 2011
Walmart Signs Panel Shopper Insights Deal with SymphonyIRI
SymphonyIRI Group and Walmart are introducing a web-based shopper insights and collaborative planning platform called Customer Advantage beginning next month.
July 26, 2011
Walmart to Take Another Shot at Streaming Video
Walmart plans to add its Vudu video streaming service to the company’s website.
July 25, 2011
Walmart Focused on Improving Online Performance
Walmart executives admit that the company is behind the curve when it comes to the e-tailing side of the business.
July 21, 2011
South Africa Appeals Walmart/Massmart Deal
Three governmental departments have asked for a review of Walmart’s deal to acquire a 51 percent stake in Massmart due to “technical irregularities” in documents used during the hearings. Walmart and Massmart closed the deal last month.
July 13, 2011
Analyst: Walmart Losing Pricing Edge
Three-fifths of consumers no longer believe that Walmart has the lowest prices, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Mark Wiltamuth.
July 12, 2011
Walmart Makes Offer for South African Produce Supplier
Massmart is looking to acquire The Fruitspot, one of the largest suppliers of fresh produce in South Africa.
July 8, 2011
Weird Walmart
Some odd things go on in America and what is more American than Walmart.
July 6, 2011
New York Mayor Goes to Bat for Walmart
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not among those opposed to Walmart opening stores in New York’s five boroughs.
June 29, 2011
Walmart Cuts Gas Prices by 10 Cents a Gallon
Walmart is lowering the price of gasoline by 10 cents a gallon for customers who use a reloadable Walmart gift card, credit card or MoneyCard.
June 27, 2011
Walmart: Low Generic Rx Prices and Higher Brand Prices
A new pricing study presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association found that Walmart had raised prices on top brand name drugs for treating diabetes by 113 percent between 2008 ad 2010. The chain cut the price of generic drugs by 58 percent during the same period.
June 27, 2011
Walmart Sees Growth Ahead in Africa
Walmart plans to create 15,000 jobs in South Africa over the next five years as it opens additional Massmart stores.
June 23, 2011
Costco May Face Suit Despite High Court Ruling on Walmart
A class action suit brought against Costco by current and former female employees has been on hold waiting for the Supreme Court to decide a sexual discrimination case against Walmart.
June 21, 2011
Walmart Closes Deal for Massmart
It’s official. Walmart now owns 51 percent of Massmart in South Africa.
June 16, 2011
Walmart Begins to Reveal New Kosmix-Powered Social Commerce Initiatives
Two months after acquiring Kosmix, @WalmartLabs says it is working on two social commerce concepts: one to offer gift suggestions online and a “virtual end cap” deal generator.
June 15, 2011
Walmart Workers Organizing Sans Union
The Organization United for Respect at Walmart is looking to bring workers together at the chain to collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions without union representation.
June 14, 2011
Walmart Express Vs. Dollar Stores
Walmart sees its new small format as part of an answer to competition from dollar stores.
June 8, 2011
Walmart’s Dealing with Unions Varies by Market
Walmart may be fighting organized labor here in the U.S., but the world’s largest retailer has found ways to deal with unions in other markets around the world.
June 6, 2011
Walmart Plans ‘City by City’ Approach in Africa
Africa poses a number of challenges that Walmart does not typically encounter in most of the other markets where it operates stores.
June 3, 2011
Walmart Debuts Express Format Store
The Walmart Express in Gentry, AK is 15,000 square-feet, including a pharmacy. The small format store is one of up to 20 the retailer is looking to open this year.
June 2, 2011
‘Walmart of Weed’ Opens in Arizona
The newly enacted medical marijuana law in Arizona has attracted a different kind of retailer to the state.
May 31, 2011
South Africa Blesses Walmart/Massmart Deal with Conditions
The South African Competition Tribunal has given its okay for Walmart to acquire a controlling stake in Massmart provided the company agrees to not lay off any workers for two years.
May 24, 2011
Two Top Execs Depart Walmart in China
Walmart announced that its chief operating officer and chief financial officer in China have left the company “to explore other opportunities.”
May 23, 2011
Walmart Looks for European Takeover Targets
Walmart is setting up a team in London to explore acquisitions on the European continent.
May 20, 2011
Walmart Begins Appliance Sales Test in Texas
Walmart has begun selling GE appliances in 20 locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston markets.
May 19, 2011
Target’s Same-Store Numbers Better Than Walmart’s
Target’s same-store sales numbers have risen for six straight quarters while Walmart has struggled in year-over-year comparisons.
May 17, 2011
Walmart’s Asda to Open George Shops Overseas
Asda plans to open specialty shops featuring its George apparel brand in the Middle East and other markets outside the U.K.
May 17, 2011
Walmart’s Growth Comes from Overseas
Walmart’s profits in the first quarter were up three percent thanks to a 12 percent jump in international sales. Same-store sales at the company’s namesake operations in the U.S. were down 1.1 percent for the period while Sam’s Club was up 4.2 percent.
May 16, 2011
Walmart Makes ‘Voluntary’ Concessions in South Africa
Walmart is willing to make concessions to acquire a majority stake in Massmart, but has said it might walk away from the deal if the South African government attaches burdensome requirements.
May 13, 2011
Walmart Exec Taking Reins at Save-A-Lot
Santiago Roces, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart’s small-format division, has been named as the new chief executive at Save-A-Lot.
May 10, 2011
Walmart’s Massmart Deal May Be in Jeopardy
The South African government is seeking to put the kibosh on Walmart’s majority share bid for Massmart claiming it would cause deterioration in working conditions while putting thousands out of jobs.
May 5, 2011
Walmart to Expand Joint Venture in India
Bharti Walmart plans to spend around $40 million to open six Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in India by March of next year.
April 28, 2011
Walmart Expanding Gun and Ammo Sales
Five years ago, Walmart sold guns and ammunition in about a third of its locations. Today, that number is up to about half the chain’s stores in the U.S.
April 25, 2011
Walmart Begins Test of Online Grocery
The test of “Walmart to Go” is underway in San Jose, CA.
April 19, 2011
Walmart Buys Social Media Firm
Walmart has paid over $300 million to acquire Kosmix, a platform that organizes social media content by topic.
April 13, 2011
Amid Slowing Sales, Walmart Reduces Floorspace for Electronics
According to Rosalind Brewer, exec. VP and president of Walmart East, the retailer will cut space for electronics products, such as flat-screen TVs, in response to declining sales in the category. One analyst estimates the reduction could be about 2,000 sq. ft. per store.
April 11, 2011
Walmart Adding 8,500 Products
Walmart’s SKU rationalization program was less than an outstanding success.
April 7, 2011
Walmart Looking to Acquire Pop-Up Space for Holidays
Toys “R” Us may have a competitor for prime temporary retailing space for this year’s holiday season.
April 6, 2011
Walmart Not Getting Much Love on Social Media Sites
Nearly ten thousand negative comments have been made on social media sites about Walmart over the past three months.
April 4, 2011
Walmart to Test Online Grocery Service
The retailer, which offers an online grocery service in the U.K. with its Asda division, now appears ready to put the concept to the test in San Jose, CA.
March 25, 2011
Amazon to Grab Share from Target.com and Walmart.com
Analysts at William Blair & Co. see Amazon grabbing share from the online businesses of Target and Walmart as it offers wider assortments and competitive pricing to its rivals.
March 22, 2011
Union Protesting Walmart/Massmart Deal
The Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union has set up pickets to try and convince South Africa’s Competition Tribunal to quash a deal that would see Walmart gain a controlling interest in the third largest retailer in that country.
March 22, 2011
Walmart Rolling Prices Back in Canada
Walmart Canada said it planned more than 100,000 individual price rollbacks on products across its stores this year.
March 18, 2011
Walmart Cuts 80 Percent of Landfill Waste
Walmart has succeeded in reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfills by more than 80 percent in California. The retailer is in the process of taking its waste reduction program nationwide.
March 11, 2011
Walmart Offers Faster In-Store Pickup Service
Walmart’s “Pick Up Today” program lets consumers place orders online and then pick up the items in a local store a few hours later.
March 11, 2011
Walmart Pushes Up Goals for Small Store Openings
Walmart is looking to open hundreds of small format stores in the coming years and acquiring locations from other retailers is one possible way to get there.
February 28, 2011
Tesco Drops Prices to Undersell Walmart’s Asda
Tesco is offering to “double the difference” on any products that consumers can buy for less at Asda.
February 24, 2011
Walmart to Open First Neighborhood Market in Chicago
The retailer’s urban strategy calls for a mix of store formats. The Neighborhood Market it has planned for Chicago’s West Loop will be the first small format location for the chain in Illinois.
February 22, 2011
Walmart Expanding in Target’s Backyard
Walmart plans to build up to 50 new stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area over the next five to eight years.
February 16, 2011
Fazoli’s Opens First In-Store Restaurant in Walmart
Fazoli’s, an Italian quick-service restaurant chain, has opened for business inside a Walmart in the St. Louis area. The chain is looking to pursue more in-store locations as part of its growth strategy.
February 15, 2011
Walmart Looks to Gain Consumer Insights
Cindy Davis has been named executive vice president of global consumer insights to help Walmart and Sam’s Club get a handle on consumer trends in markets around the planet.
February 9, 2011
Walmart’s Urban Strategy Spurs Debate
The debate is heated over whether Walmart is a net plus or minus for cities where it opens new stores.
February 8, 2011
Walmart Eyes Partnership with Indonesian Chain
Walmart is in discussions to take a stake in the PT Matahari Putra Prima hypermart chain.
February 7, 2011
Walmart Discounts Digital Films to Gain Share
Walmart looks to one day supplant Apple as the market leader in the digital film business.
February 2, 2011
ShopRite and Walmart Compete for Space in Brooklyn
ShopRite and Walmart both have their eyes on the same location in Brooklyn. ShopRite has the backing of the United Commercial Workers while Walmart faces opposition from labor.
January 31, 2011
Walmart Names Merchandising Chief
Duncan Mac Naughton will be responsible for merchandising at Walmart’s 3,700 stores in the U.S. Mr. Mac Naughton joined the company in 2009 to head up merchandising for Walmart Canada.
January 28, 2011
P&G CEO Looks for Better Execution at Walmart
Bob McDonald, chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble, is looking to get more of its products in Walmart circulars and on store displays as part of the joint company family movie night initiative.
January 26, 2011
Walmart Building Supercenters in Canada
Walmart plans to build 40 of its Supercenter format stores in Canada this year.
January 20, 2011
Walmart’s Five-Year Plan to Healthier Foods
Walmart is expected to announce today its plan to reduce salts, fats and sugars in its store brands while encouraging brand suppliers to do the same. The company, which has worked closely with First Lady Michelle Obama on the initiative, is also expected to cut prices on fruits and vegetables.
January 17, 2011
Walmart Bid for Massmart Accepted
Shareholders of the South African retailing business have voted to accept a bid that would give Walmart a 51 percent stake in the business.
January 11, 2011
Walmart Faces Fight in NYC
Walmart faces a tough challenge cracking the New York City market as opponents say the chain kills three jobs for every two it creates. The chain has run ads claiming special interests are trying to keep it out of the Big Apple.
January 6, 2011
Walmart.com Going Global
The world’s largest retailer is looking to achieve that same designation in e-tail with the launch of websites in a growing number of markets outside the U.S.
2010
31 articles
December 20, 2010
Walmart’s Move to Support Local Growing Seen as Significant to Farmers
Walmart is reported to be planning an increased dependence on locally-produced food in Missouri, reaching 9 percent of product on-shelf by 2015, which could have mixed effects on small, local farmers.
December 20, 2010
Walmart Tests Campus Format
In what appears will be a test of a 10,000-square-foot convenience/drug format, the “Walmart on Campus” store will open at the University of Arkansas when classes resume in the new semester next month, replacing a university-run pharmacy.
December 17, 2010
This Time Around, Walmart Has Its Champions In NYC
Walmart has been historically opposed in New York by those claiming it hurts small business owners and pays too little, but some advocates are now looking to the company as a source of potential jobs for the city’s poorest residents.
December 16, 2010
Court Blocks CVS from Hiring Former Walmart Exec
Delaware Chancery Court Judge Travis Laster yesterday granted Wal-Mart’s request for a preliminary injunction, barring the hiring by CVS of former Wal-Mart executive VP, Hank Mullany, commenting, “The protection that Wal-Mart bargained for is precisely needed at this moment.”
December 15, 2010
Opponents Look to NY Governor to Block First NYC Walmart
Walmart needs a 20.5 acre parcel of land in East New York to make its dream of building its first New York City store come true. New York State Governor Patterson is still unsure if he has the authority or the desire to make a decision on the matter.
December 13, 2010
Walmart Talks to NYC Construction Union
Walmart is hoping that by using union labor to build stores in New York, it can actually get approval to build stores in the city.
December 13, 2010
Walmart Closing Office in Moscow
Walmart has not found an acquisition to crack the Russian market, so the company is looking to developing nations instead.
December 10, 2010
Walmart Case Brings Class Action Suits to a Halt
Suits being brought against Best Buy and Costco by current and former employees are not moving forward at the moment as the involved parties wait for a ruling by the Supreme Court in the Walmart sex discrimination case.
December 8, 2010
More Go to Target, Fewer to Walmart for Holiday Shopping
The number of consumers who shopped at Walmart over the weekend fell from 43.8 percent last year to 32.7 percent this year. At Target the number was 20.6 percent this year, up from 13.9 percent in 2009, according to America’s Research Group.
December 7, 2010
Walmart Case Heads to Supreme Court
The retailer is looking to overturn a lower court ruling that granted class action status to a sexual bias suit brought against the company.
November 29, 2010
Walmart Bids for Control of South African Retailer
Walmart has decided not to seek full ownership of Massmart Holdings Ltd. in South Africa and instead has chosen to offer $2.3 billion to acquire a 51 percent stake in the company.
November 24, 2010
Walmart Looks for $5 Barbies to Drive Traffic
The world’s largest retailer is opening with the types of deals it hopes will put it over the top for the Christmas shopping season.
November 18, 2010
Walmart Plans Push in Nation’s Capital
Walmart plans to open four stores in Washington, D.C. by 2012. The locations are expected to employ some 1,200 people.
November 15, 2010
Analyst: Prices Going Up at Walmart
Patrick McKeever, a retail industry analyst with MKM Partners, said the average price of 86 key items he tracks at Walmart have increased by 0.6 percent over the past two months. That translates into a roughly four percent jump in inflation over a year’s period.
November 12, 2010
Analyst: Walmart Faces Tough Holiday
Cleveland Research analyst Jeff Stinson said Walmart has failed to recapture consumers lost to other retailers and will likely fall below expectations for the holiday season.
November 4, 2010
Walmart May Bid for Indonesian Chain
Walmart is reported to be competing with Lotte Shopping and the Carlyle Group for the Matahari hypermarket chain in Indonesia. The deal is expected to be in the $1 billion range.
October 28, 2010
Walmart Considers Options in South Africa
The world’s largest retailer is trying to decide on the best way to structure a deal to acquire Massmart.
October 27, 2010
Best Buy, Walmart to Sell Facebook Credits
Best Buy and Walmart are joining Target in selling credits that can be used on social gaming sites such as FarmVille.
October 27, 2010
Walmart’s CrowdSaver Imitates Groupon
The retail chain is offering to discount a plasma TV by 18 percent if it gets 5,000 “likes” on its Facebook page.
October 26, 2010
Controversial Central Texas Walmart Opens
Walmart’s plans to open a store in Austin’s North Center originally met with local protests and legal challenges. The store, which features expanded grocery and electronics, will employ 250 full- and part-timers.
October 25, 2010
Walmart Brings Back Action Alley
Walmart is going back to the tried and true merchandising concepts after finding that a more open shopping environment didn’t lead to greater sales.
October 22, 2010
Walmart to Sell Rival’s E-Readers
Walmart will sell both Barnes & Noble’s Nook and Borders’s Kobo e-reading devices in its stores and on walmart.com.
October 21, 2010
Deciphering Walmart’s Local Produce Goals
The author looks at what Walmart’s new local produce program really means for the retailer, suppliers and consumers.
October 19, 2010
Gap, Walmart to Go Online in China
The retailers are looking to build an online presence along with new stores in China.
October 15, 2010
Walmart May Bid for Russian Retailer
Walmart’s international expansion may be heading to Russia if the company’s talks with Kopeika are successful.
October 15, 2010
Walmart Going Local with Produce Initiative
Walmart intends to double the amount of produce it buys from small farmers in the U.S. and abroad over the next five years.
October 13, 2010
Walmart Starts Early with Holiday Toy Savings
The retailer has a long list of toys in the $5 to $15 range to help consumers save money and make kids happy this holiday season.
August 6, 2010
Bharti Walmart Looks to Expand Indian Outlets
Wal-Mart and its joint partner Bharti are looking to open up to 15 new wholesale outlets in India over the next three years. Bharti Walmart opened its third “Best Price Modern Wholesale cash-and-carry store” in the country this week.
May 10, 2010
Walmart Takes its ‘Green’ Commitment in China to the Fields
In addition to new green store designs, Walmart China is “training farmers with scientific technologies in a bid to help them plant agricultural products with less water and less environmental impact.”
February 5, 2010
Walmart Delists Glad and Hefty Bags
Walmart will only be carrying Ziploc and its own private label plastic bags as it seeks to reduce the number of SKUs it carries in its stores.
January 11, 2010
SAP, Walmart Stress Sustainability in NRF Keynote
In a featured SAP session at the NRF BIG Show this morning, Walmart Senior VP of Sustainability Matt Kistler describes “opportunities in [Walmart’s] operations and throughout the entire supply chain to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and make environmentally friendly products more affordable.”
2009
31 articles
December 18, 2009
Walmart.com Seeks to Dethrone Amazon
CEO Raul Vazquez says Walmart.com’s growth has bested Amazon’s by 1.4 percentage points in the first three quarters this year and that its holiday sales are growing two to three times the rate of overall eTail sales.
December 15, 2009
Walmart.com Battles Amazon with In-Store Pickup
In addition to new service desks in stores designated for pick up of online purchased goods, Wal-Mart is testing a drive-thru window design in a Chicago suburb.
October 30, 2009
Glitch Keeps Walmart.com Shoppers from Checking Out
Walmart.com experienced some technical difficulties that prevented “a limited number of customers” from completing their orders.
October 23, 2009
Walmart Offers Home Installation Service
Walmart is working with NEW to provide home installation of home theaters, personal computers and televisions for its shoppers. Installation services, which start at $99 and do not include home delivery, will be available at all the chain’s stores by the end of the month.
October 16, 2009
Walmart.com Selling Top Hardcovers for $10
Walmart.com appears ready to take on Amazon.com with price cuts over 60 percent off the list price of top 10 pre-selling books such as Sarah Palin’s “Going Rogue: An American Life” and Michael Crichton’s “Pirate Latitudes.”
October 15, 2009
Walmart Makes More Space for Plus-Size Clothing
Hanesbrands is getting twice the amount of space it has in the past for plus-sized items at 3,500 Walmart stores.
October 14, 2009
Walmart.com Selling HBC Items
Walmart.com is now selling the same beauty, personal care and over-the-counter medicines sold in Walmart stores.
September 25, 2009
Walmart.com Expecting Big Things From Marketplace
CMO Kerry Cooper believes adding third parties on the “Walmart Marketplace” gives consumers more reason to come to Walmart.com.
August 31, 2009
Walmart.com Launches Marketplace, Adds Million New Items
Walmart.com has launched “Walmart Marketplace” giving consumers access to goods sold by other retailers in categories including apparel, baby, home, sporting goods and toys.
August 4, 2009
Walmart Accused of Encroaching on Girl Scouts’ Turf
Walmart is taking some heat from a mommy blogger who says the chain’s Great Value cookie line includes knockoffs of the Girl Scouts’ popular Thin Mints and Tagalongs.
July 9, 2009
Hispanics Feel Comfortable at Supermercardo de Walmart
Spanish speakers find it easier shopping at the new Hispanic format being tested by Wal-Mart Stores.
June 30, 2009
Kroger Goes Big in Walmart’s Backyard
Kroger is building its first Marketplace format store in Arkansas. The 125,000 square-foot store will sell groceries and products from a variety of general merchandise categories including furniture, housewares, jewelry and toys.
June 23, 2009
Walmart Exec Promotes ‘Simplicity’ in Consumer Electronics
Gary Severson, senior VP/general merchandise manager of Walmart, told attendees at the Consumer Electronics Association’s CEO Summit that manufacturers should “focus on simplicity [and] get away from bells and whistles.”
June 23, 2009
BBB Says Walmart’s Savings Claim is Misleading
The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended Walmart stop running ads that say consumers can save $700 a year on groceries shopping in its stores after H-E-B Grocery Co. challenged the claim.
June 12, 2009
Supermercardo de Walmart Off to Good Start
Consumers on hand for the opening day of the new Supermercardo de Walmart in west Phoenix were pleased with what they found in the store.
June 10, 2009
Supermercardo de Walmart Opens for Business
Wal-Mart Stores’ test of a Hispanic concept continues with the opening of a new store in west Phoenix today.
June 8, 2009
Walmart Focused on Being Better Marketer, Merchandiser
Walmart is looking to better connect with new and long-time shoppers to get them looking to spend dollars in more parts of the store.
May 20, 2009
Are Macs in Walmart’s Future?
The upgrades that Walmart is making to its consumer electronics departments could one day lead to Apple’s Mac line of computers being sold in the retailer’s discount stores and supercenters.
May 15, 2009
Walmart to Face Challenges When Economy Rebounds
More middle- and higher-income consumers are going to Walmart for staples during the recession despite not being happy with much of the merchandise sold or the shopping experience. What will the retailer need to do when things pick up to hold onto its recent converts?
April 10, 2009
Arbitrator Imposes Contract at Quebec Walmart
An arbitrator’s ruling has established a contract for union workers at a Walmart in St-Hyacinthe, Québec. It is the only Walmart in North America where workers are represented by a union.
March 30, 2009
Walmart Seeks to Own ‘Value’ Online
Walmart is not as dominant online as it is in the brick and mortar world. The company is looking to change that.
March 13, 2009
Walmart Opening First Stores for Hispanics
Wal-Mart Stores is remodeling two Neighborhood Markets in Houston and Phoenix and converting them to the company’s new Supermercardo de Walmart format.
February 24, 2009
iPhone Customers Could Prove a Challenge for Walmart Employees
If a reporter’s observations in Florida Walmart stores are an accurate representation, the company’s employees may benefit from some Apple Store-type training.
February 20, 2009
Walmart Makes Supercenter Push in Maine
Consumers in Maine are looking forward to some relief from high grocery prices with four new Walmart Supercenters currently under construction in the state.
February 18, 2009
Walmart Lowers Debit Card Fees
Walmart has lowered charges for its Visa debit card from a one-time activation fee of $8.94, $4.94 monthly fee and $4.64 for reloads to $3 for each of the fees.
February 10, 2009
America Divided Between Target and Walmart Shoppers
They are viewed as direct competitors but Walmart and Target really serve very different customers.
January 22, 2009
Walmart Seeks Authentic Connection with Consumers
Walmart is looking to use social media to engage its customers on a deeper level than ever before.
January 21, 2009
Walmart Store Closure Case Goes to Canada’s High Court
The Supreme Court of Canada will judge whether or not Wal-Mart Canada had the right to close a store in Quebec where workers were represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union.
January 16, 2009
Walmart Demos Environmental Store
The new Walmart Supercenter in Burlington, Ontario is being billed by the company as an “environmental demonstration store” where little goes to waste.
January 15, 2009
Police Recover Goods Stolen from Walmart, Others
A tip tied to the theft of a Walmart tractor-trailer led police to the discovery of a cache of goods stolen from other retailers and totaling more than $100,000.
January 6, 2009
Walmart to Debut Neighborhood Market in Virginia
Walmart is scheduled to open its first Neighborhood Market in Virginia tomorrow in Norfolk. The company plans to open locations in Williamsburg this year and another in Virginia Beach in 2010.
2008
48 articles
December 19, 2008
Walmart Eyeing Second Chicago Location
Walmart is looking to open a second store in Chicago following the success of its first location in the city.
December 18, 2008
Walmart to Sell iPhone Starting Dec. 28
Happy New Year! Walmart will begin selling iPhones in stores as Apple continues its push to expand distribution of the popular cell phone. There is no confirmation yet if the retailer will be selling a stripped-down and lower-priced version of the iPhone.
December 18, 2008
Walmart Generates Revenues for Chicago
Walmart has faced great opposition attempting to open new stores in Chicago. Now a new report says the company’s lone store in the city generated $10.3 million in sales tax revenue in its first two years of operation.
December 15, 2008
Walmart CEO: Job Concerns Affect Buying Behavior
Walmart CEO Lee Scott said the top issue facing consumers today are concerns about job security. Mr. Scott appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday.
December 8, 2008
Walmart Benefits from Lower Gas Prices
Walmart has higher store count numbers in markets where gas prices have fallen the most in recent months.
November 20, 2008
Walmart to Power Texas Stores with Wind Power
Walmart has signed a four-year deal with Duke Energy to provide about 15 percent of its electricity needs for stores in Texas using wind energy.
November 18, 2008
Target to Battle Walmart On Price
Target is not willing to cede the low price leadership position to Walmart and intends to battle its rival with stepped-up marketing efforts.
November 14, 2008
Walmart.com Optimistic Going Into Holidays
Raul Vazquez, chief executive of Walmart.com, said traffic is up on the website as consumers come looking for low prices on quality products.
November 13, 2008
Walmart Using New Media to Reach Shoppers
Walmart is looking to interact with its customers “in a meaningful way” using the internet, mobile marketing and its in-store television network.
November 5, 2008
Walmart Top Spot for Gamers
Walmart is the top retail destination for video gamers ages 12 to 54.
November 3, 2008
Walmart Gains Grocery Share in Chicagoland
Walmart has nearly doubled its share of grocery sales in Chicago and its suburbs. The top two grocery chains in the market, Jewel-Osco and Dominick’s, both lost market share.
October 30, 2008
Walmart’s New Look
Walmart has created a new look for its remodeled stores.
October 28, 2008
Walmart Cuts Capital Spending
Walmart plans to open fewer new stores in the U.S. as it reduces capital spending from $9.1 billion in the last fiscal year to somewhere between $5.8 billion and $6.4 billion in 2009.
October 27, 2008
Walmart Grabs Grocery Share in Metro Detroit
The addition of six new supercenters has helped Walmart go, in one year, from a 2.6 percent share of the grocery market in the Detroit area to 11.8 percent today.
October 22, 2008
Walmart Says Consumers Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Walmart is seeing significant shifts in consumer shopping behavior including a double-digit decline in the use of credit cards as consumers have maxed out their available lines of credit.
October 22, 2008
Walmart Establishes Rules for Chinese Suppliers
Walmart has set new product safety and environmental standards for foreign suppliers that will start to go into effect next month.
October 17, 2008
Nike Sues Walmart
Nike has filed a suit against Walmart alleging the retailer is selling shoes that violate two design patents it holds.
October 15, 2008
Shopping for Cars at Walmart
The Live X Auto Exchange has set up two car showrooms at Walmart Supercenters in Arizona.
October 13, 2008
Walmart Focuses on Store Brands
Walmart is recruiting consumer packaged goods talent as the company ramps up its private label program.
October 8, 2008
Walmart Hosts Green Product Companies
Walmart brought together about 80 vendors as part of its “closed-loop networking showcase” to feature environmentally-friendly products.
October 6, 2008
Few In-Store Clinics in Walmart’s Home State
Walmart is a champion of in-store clinics but until now there have only been two in its home state of Arkansas.
October 3, 2008
Walmart Opening Marketside Stores in Arizona
Walmart will take the wraps off of four Marketside stores located in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe, Ariz. tomorrow.
October 1, 2008
Walmart Cuts Toy Prices Early for Christmas
Walmart is looking for an early edge in the competition for holiday sales with price cuts on popular toys including Barbie dolls and Tonka trucks.
September 29, 2008
Walmart’s Seiyu to Close 20 Stores
Seiyu, the Japanese retailer owned by Walmart, said it will close 20 of its 390 stores and cut approximately 350 positions as it tries to become “more efficient.”
September 25, 2008
Walmart Encroaches on PBM Territory
Walmart will offer the over 70,000 individuals covered by Caterpillar Inc.’s health plan free generic prescription drugs as part of a pilot program that poses a direct competitive threat to pharmacy benefits managers.
September 24, 2008
Walmart to Debut Marketside Next Week
The first of Walmart’s Marketside small format grocery stores will open in Arizona on Oct. 4.
September 18, 2008
Walmart Said to Be Considering Advice of T. Boone Pickens
The outspoken Texas oil tycoon told the press on Wednesday that Lee Scott, Walmart’s CEO, was impressed with his plan to convert the company’s huge delivery fleet from diesel to compressed natural gas.
September 16, 2008
Walmart Keeping Close Tabs on Fresh & Easy
Walmart has people in Tesco’s Fresh & Easy stores on a daily basis, according to John Fleming, Walmart’s chief merchandising officer.
September 16, 2008
Walmart Canada Looks Into Banking Biz
Walmart is seeking approval from the Canadian government to establish a bank and expand the financial services it offers to consumers in that country.
September 12, 2008
Walmart All About the Savings
A new ad says that consumers who spend $100 per week at supermarkets could save more than $700 a year if they bought the same products at Walmart.
September 10, 2008
Walmart to Open Marketside Stores in SoCal
Walmart plans to open its new small store Marketside format in the San Diego area as well as in Arizona to compete directly with Tesco’s Fresh & Easy concept.
September 8, 2008
Walmart Benefits from Slowing Down
Focusing more on remodeling existing locations and slowing the pace of new store openings appears to have worked in Walmart’s favor.
September 4, 2008
Walmart to Open Asian HQ in Hong Kong
Walmart’s new office in Hong Kong will provide oversight to the company’s operations in China, India and Japan while exploring other market opportunities in the region.
August 27, 2008
Marketside Bears No Resemblance to Walmart
Photos of a new Marketside store in Mesa, Ariz. reveal no hint that Walmart owns the new concept.
August 22, 2008
Walmart Settles Suit Against Former Vice Chair
Walmart has agreed to settle a lawsuit it brought against Tom Coughlin, the former vice chairman of the company, seeking to void his retirement package valued at $17 million. Mr. Coughlin pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges in 2006 for misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars from the retailer.
August 21, 2008
Target Shoppers Prefer Obama, Walmart Goes for McCain
A new poll from BIGresearch shows that consumer voting preferences vary by retail chain.
August 18, 2008
Walmart Told to Recognize Union in Quebec
An arbitrator in Quebec has imposed a labor contract on a Walmart location in Gatineau, Quebec, saying that the nine employees in the union had already agreed with the company on most elements of the negotiation and the salary being sought for workers was “reasonable, realistic and fair.”
August 14, 2008
Walmart to Invest $1 Billion for New Stores in Brazil
Walmart plans to invest up to $1.1 billion to open up to 90 stores in Brazil in 2009. The retailer’s plans call for it to open 36 new units in the country this year.
August 12, 2008
Walmart’s Castro-Wright Discusses Three-Year Plan
Eduardo Castro-Wright had a three-year plan when he took over as chief executive of Walmart’s U.S. stores division in 2005.
August 6, 2008
Walmart, Carrefour and Metro Eye Russian Retailer
Rivals Walmart, Carrefour and Metro are on a list of retailers reportedly looking into buying the Russian retail chain Lenta.
August 4, 2008
Walmart Denies Pressuring Workers on Nov. Vote
Walmart has denied a Wall Street Journal report that it pressured employees to vote against Democrats in upcoming elections over concerns that a Republican loss would make it easier for unions to organize the retailer’s workforce.
August 1, 2008
Iconix in Licensing Deal with Walmart
Iconix Brand Group has signed a licensing agreement with Walmart for the company’s Starter and Danskin Now brands.
August 1, 2008
Walmart Looks to Get Out the Vote to Defeat Dems
Walmart is looking to mobilize its store managers and department supervisors to defeat Democrats in the upcoming election. The company equates a big Democrat win with an invitation to organized labor to unionize its workforce.
July 25, 2008
Walmart Makes Deals with Chinese Unions
Walmart has reached labor deals with union representatives in the Chinese cities of Shenyang and Quanzhou.
July 18, 2008
Walmart.com to Delist z.b.d. Women’s Clothing Line
Walmart wanted to test the trendy z.b.d. women’s clothing line online before rolling it out to stores. Now the company has decided not to sell the line on walmart.com either.
July 2, 2008
Walmart Loses Minnesota Labor Suit
A state judge has ruled that Walmart broke Minnesota labor laws by requiring hourly employees to work off-the-clock. The retailer could be fined up to a $2 billion in the penalty phase of the trial set to begin on Oct. 20. Walmart is considering an appeal of the verdict.
July 1, 2008
Walmart Expands Local Produce Program
Walmart said it has increased the number of local farmers it works with in the U.S. by 50 percent over the past two years and that roughly 20 percent of produce available in the chain’s stores is from local sources.
June 5, 2008
Yahoo and Walmart.com in Ad Deal
Yahoo will begin selling advertising on Walmart.com in a move that further blurs the line between media and retail.
2007
3 articles
December 28, 2007
Video Download Service Dumped at Walmart.com
Less than a year after launch, Wal-Mart is discontinuing its video download service because its tech partner, HP, has decided the market for paid downloads is not worth pursuing.
November 7, 2007
Walmart.com Not Getting Into Groceries
Walmart.com CEO Raul Vazquez said the company does not plan to offer any groceries for sale. Sam’s Club offers a limited number of grocery items online for delivery to consumers and business customers.
July 20, 2007
Customer Reviews Go Online at Walmart.com
Wal-Mart is adding product rankings and customer reviews to its website.
2006
3 articles
December 14, 2006
Elmo Crashes Walmart.com
Walmart.com went down for a brief period yesterday as consumers crashed the site looking to buy Elmo T.M.X. dolls.
November 27, 2006
Amazon and Walmart.com Freeze Up
The price of popularity was too much for Amazon.com and Walmart.com to handle as both web sites experienced outages on Black Friday. Wal-Mart’s site was particularly hard hit.
February 14, 2006
Walmart.com to Undergo Site Redesign
From the sounds of it, Walmart.com’s planned redesign will make it more like Target’s web site.
2005
2 articles
December 19, 2005
Walmart.com Makes Big Holiday Gains
Walmart.com is showing signs of becoming the Wal-Mart of the e-tailing world.
June 17, 2005
Walmart.com Gets New Leader
Carter Cast is replacing John Fleming as president of Walmart.com. Mr. Fleming was promoted to Wal-Mart’s chief marketing officer.
2004
1 articles
December 9, 2004
Walmart.com Has Technical Difficulties
Walmart.com followed Amazon.com with some consumers having problems getting onto the site.
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