Walmart news 

Walmart has engaged the CEOs from more than a dozen global companies, which represent more than $100bn in sales at the retailer, to accelerate innovation in sustainable agriculture and recycling. The pledges kicked off Walmart’s inaugural Sustainable Product Expo, a three-day collaboration to expand the availability of products that sustain people and the environment. Engaging the senior le...

Following a recent trip to a land of 'unorganised retail', Laura May looks at how the Indian grocery landscape is evolving as international retail players enter the market. A stark contrast to grocery retailing as some may know it, India's millions of market stalls and specialist shops, kiranas and kiosks - collectively known as 'unorganised retail' - account for around 98% of the country's gr...

Walmart has announced the appointment of Greg Foran, currently president and CEO of Walmart China as president & CEO of Walmart Asia, effective June 1. Scott Price to lead international strategy and development Greg replaces Scott Price who is moving to a senior management role as executive vice president, international strategy and development, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, integ...

Walmart-owned Walmex has announced first quarter results saying that net sales rose 2.1% to MXN101.4 billion (US$7.8 billion), with sales driven by growth at the retailer’s small stores. However, the retailer noted that its overall performance was held back by slower than expected economic growth in Mexico and its Sam’s Club warehouse stores. Mexico: Small stores and expansion offset contracting...

In the first of this year's quarterly updates, we look at how Carrefour, Walmart, Tesco and Metro Group have started 2014, and what might lie ahead this year. Carrefour: optimistic outlook In January, Carrefour said its action plans from 2013 were yielding results , as it reported organic sales growth of 2.5%, with continued international momentum and rebounding growth in France. Loo...

Walmart is introducing a new range of value-orientated organic products under the Wild Oats brand at around 2,000 stores in the US. Products to be sold under three key brands Under this initiative, Walmart will introduce around 100 products at affordable price points, offering savings of around 25% compared to national brand organic products. The products will cover a broad range of categ...

South Africa-based, Walmart-owned Massmart has announced that its chief executive, Grant Pattison, is stepping down and will be replaced by the retailer’s existing chief operating officer, Guy Hayward. Pattison steps down after seven years as CEO Grant Pattison will step down as Massmart’s CEO on 1 June 2014, after seven years in the role. Discussing the decision, Pattison said: “ I have been...

Speaking at the Reuters Africa Investment Summit in Johannesburg, Mark Turner, Massmart's Africa director, said the retailer was aiming to open two stores in the market by 2015 and was building its first store in Kenya. Expansion will meet strategic aim Massmart’s entry into Angola will help it meet the strategic aim of expanding into fast growing markets in sub-Saharan Africa. The two stores...

Walmart is poised to pilot ecommerce this summer, whilst in the mid term it will expand its store network by an additional 50 outlets. Trialling B2B ecommerce Walmart has recently announced plans to pilot B2B ecommerce this summer. The initiative will be launched in one of Walmart's twenty wholesale stores, in a service designed to cater for local kirana stores. The Wall Street Journal...

Walmart said it plans to open three Sam's Club in Shanghai, Wuhan and Changzhou in early 2015. In China it currently runs 10 Sam's club stores in eight cities. It has also closed three stores in China since March and is expected to close another two by the end of the month. The closures were part of the US retailer's restructuring plan in China revealed last year that 9% of its Chinese stores ...