Walmart news 

Building on an internal test in 2012, The Denver Channel has reported that Walmart is now testing its scan and go app with shoppers in around 40 stores in Colorado. Customer test builds on earlier internal evaluation Last September, Walmart employees at a supercentre in Rogers, Arkansas, participated in a test which enabled them to use their own smartphones to scan their shopping. It now...

Walmart de México y Centroamérica has announced changes in its supermarkets and speciality stores divisions, as part of moves to simplify the organisation structure. Long-standing Walmart executives moved to new roles Renzo Casillo has been named executive vice president and CEO of Walmart  Supermarkets in Mexico .  His responsibilities will include the Bodega Aurrerá, Walmart Supercente...

The Argentine government has reached an agreement with the country's largest retailers to freeze prices for two months.  Freeze to last until 1 April Members of the United Supermarkets Association (ASU) have agreed to keep prices unchanged until 1 April, following a meeting with Argentina's domestic trade secretary, Guillermo Moreno.  The agreement has been backdated to take effect as o...

With the 47th Superbowl taking place next Sunday, February 3rd, the major US grocery retailers are focusing this week on maximising the trading opportunities. As the largest sporting event in the US, and one of the largest globally, what are the key focus areas for the retailers? Game themed flyers used almost universally With weekly flyers a key promotional tool for retailers in the US , m...

Following the recent flurry of results from international retailers, we summarise the performances of Carrefour, Tesco, Walmart, Metro and Auchan in the Chinese market. Carrefour - new store openings fuelling growth In the fourth quarter, Carrefour saw sales in China  grow at 0.7% (at constant exchange rate). The addition of new stores offsets negative like-for-like sales of -3.1%. How...

Walmart Canada has announced plans to invest $450m in completing at least 37 Supercentre projects and expanding its distribution network in 2013. A return to normal growth rates This rate of expansion, which will see Walmart Canada add around 1.4m sq ft of retail space, is fairly consistent with its goal of opening between 35 and 40 new Supercentres each year. These typically include a mi...

Walmart is to buy an additional $50bn in US products over the next ten years for its domestic operations. Looking to bring production back to the US Walmart's initiative to support US manufacturing will be driven through increasing sourcing for products which are already bought in the US, including sporting goods, storage products and paper products, and by helping to onshore US producti...

Walmart has announced that Enrique Ostalé, president and CEO of its Chilean operations, has been named executive vice president, president and CEO of Walmart Latin America. Overseeing operations in nine countries Mr Ostalé will take up his new post on 1 March, from a base in Mexico City.  He will oversee Walmart's operations in Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Costa Rica, El Salvador, Gu...

Promotion for Asda COO Judith McKenna is to leave her position as COO at Asda to take up a new role at Walmart International as executive vice president, strategy and international development. Linked to this move there will be a major reshuffle of Asda's senior team, with all changes taking effect from January 28th. The move to Bentonville is a further promotion for McKenna who became Asda C...

Our team of experts have identified five trends you need to be aware of in 2013 in our latest Special Analysis research. Looking ahead, we anticipate innovation to drive loyalty and value propositions, further fusion between online and offline channels, and an increased 'humanising' of brands. Living better for less The macro-economic backdrop will see global austerity...