Walmart news 

Walmart Mexico (Walmex) is investing $15.0bn pesos (c.USD1,125m) in developing new stores and to enhance its ecommerce capabilities in Mexico and Central America. Growth less dependent on new space This investment comes after a challenging year for the retailer. Although total revenues improved by 3.2% year-on-year, net income fell by 2.4%. In particular it saw a challenging performance with...

Walmart reported slowing international growth for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year this week. We look at results in its Latin American markets. Position in Brazil remains challenging Fourth quarter net sales were up 5.3%, with improved performance in retail formats driven by food and consumables categories. Ecommerce continued to grow sales and market share, with a new site launche...

This week Walmart announced its fourth quarter and full year results. We take a look at five key takeaways and what they could mean for its suppliers. 1. Driving change in the business to increase customer relevance : Doug McMillon, commenting on his first set of results as President & CEO, spoke about making changes to improve the business, with a filter on increasing customer relevance. He ...

Walmart's full year results, for the year to January 31, 2014, revealed consolidated net sales grew by 1.6% to $473.1bn. Consolidated net income attributable to Walmart fell by 5.7% to $16.0bn. The results in summary Given that Walmart had issued a trading update at the end of January there were no real surprises in these results, beyond the rapid expansion announced in small ...

Walmart de México y Centroamérica has reported a fall in of 12.8% in net profit for Q4 2013, ending a year which CEO Scot Rank said was one of "great challenges." Challenging economic conditions in Mexico CEO Scot Rank pointed to a reduction in disposable income and decrease in consumer confidence over the year. Heavy price investment during the year will also have affected results. Comp...

There is speculation that a key international player may be reviewing its position in the market - might this include the potential for multi-brand retailing? FDI update Early this year two Indian states, Delhi and Rajasthan, decided against Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retailing, having formerly approved it. Each state has the authority to make this decision. The adve...

As we launch a new hypermarkets and supermarkets hub page and insight presentation, we report on three strategies being used to drive growth at hypermarkets and supermarkets. 1. New ways to define value A number of retailers globally are finding that value-focused large formats are hitting a growing sweet spot with shoppers. From the growth of the atacadista format in Brazil from Casino and...

Walmart Canada has announced plans to invest $500m this year in its stores, supply chain and ecommerce projects. Investing in infrastructure to support growth The expansion plan will fall into three broad categories. These include more than $376m on store projects, $91m on distribution network projects and $31m towards ecommerce projects. Walmart Canada will put this investment towards exp...

This weekend saw Doug McMillon take the helm at Walmart as its new President & CEO. We look at the key questions on his to do list. Having previously led the retailer’s international operations since 2009, and Sam’s Club prior to that, the internal appointment will ensure a degree of continuity and consistency. However, the transition comes at a critical point in Walmart’s timeline, particular...

Walmart has announced that fourth quarter comparable store sales, for the 13 weeks ending January 31, through its US stores and Sam’s Club operation, are expected to be lower than previously anticipated. Reductions in food stamps and winter storms having an impact Having initially expected fourth quarter comp store sales through its US stores to be flat, the retailer now expects these to be...