Walmart news 

Walmart plans to acquire the talent, technology platform and IP of JoyRun, a technology start-up based out of Silicon Valley, which operates a peer-to-peer delivery platform. Optimising local networks JoyRun essentially enables users to pickup and deliver items for friends and neighbours. It is used as a last-mile delivery platform by more than 500 companies, with over 30,000 people serving...

Walmart Canada is expanding is partnership with San-Francisco based Focal Systems for the deployment of shelf-edge cameras. Improving product availability Building on a pilot programme, Walmart Canada will expand Focal Systems’ out-of-stock solution to additional stores next year. This forms part of a $3.5bn investment programme announced earlier this year. Focal’s cameras automatical...

Walmex has launched an innovative new supermarket banner in Mexico. Its first Walmart Express store opened November 5 in Lomas del Valle, in the city of Puebla. With an initial investment of MXN1.3 bn (US64m), the business plans to convert existing Superama supermarkets to the new format, as well as opening new stores. Source: Walmex Stores will be a mix of conversions and new stores ...

We review Walmart's third quarter performance and the outlook for the business as it prepares for the holiday trading period. Walmart's key numbers Walmart's total revenue in Q3 increased by 5.2% to $134.7bn Operating income increased 22.5% to $5.8bn Sales in its US stores increased by 6.2% to $88.4bn and by 8.3% to $15.8bn at Sam’s Club US comp store sales increased by 6.4%, wi...

The divestment of 85% of its stake in Seiyu in Japan is the most recent of several retrenchments globally for Walmart. We look at how this move aligns with its international strategy and what it means for the business going forward. Last new market entry in 2011 With nine years having passed since Walmart’s last entry into a new market, its recent round of international divestments should c...

With over 1m new cases reported in the US over the past six days, several retailers are reactivating their COVID-19 playbooks with capacity and product limits. Precautionary measures The US continues to experience a rapid growth in COVID-19 cases, with many states reporting their highest new case levels since the start of the pandemic. Although there have not been any signs of a repeat in t...

Walmart, KKR and Rakuten have signed an agreement that will change the ownership structure of Seiyu in Japan. New ownership structure In a deal worth JPY172.5bn (approx. US$1.6bn), KKR will acquire 65% majority stake in Seiyu, Rakuten will acquire a 20% stake, through a newly created subsidiary, and Walmart will retain 15%. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected ...

Walmart is a partnering with GM-owned self-driving car company, Cruise, to pilot grocery deliveries in Arizona. Nuro also working with Kroger in the Houston market Walmart has undertaken several pilots in this space, including programmes with Nuro in Houston, Gatik in Bentonville and Udelv in Surprise, Arizona. It has also worked with Ford and Waymo, Google’s self-driving project. Cruise is...

Walmart Inc. has agreed to sell its retail operations in Argentina to South American retail group Grupo de Narváez. Tough trading conditions for international businesses Walmart entered Argentina in 1995 and ran a multiformat operation, with 92 stores across 21 provinces. In recent times, Argentina has been battling with a currency crisis. A hyperinflationary economy and high levels of unem...

Following updates from South Africa-based Woolworths and Walmart-owned Massmart, we round up news from the retailers. Woolworths SA invests in prices… Woolworths is to invest ZAR1.0 bn (US$61.4m) in prices over the next two to three years. ZAR750m (US$46.0m) will be invested in its food business and ZAR250m (US$15.3m) in its fashion business. In the first phase Woolworths will invest ZAR500...