Walmart news 

Walmart's total net sales for the first quarter increased by 1.0% to $113.4bn, with growth led by its international division, where sales increased by 2.9%. In the US, Sam's Club delivered a 0.5% increase in sales (ex-fuel), while at its core US stores operation sales grew 0.3%.  Comp store sales at its US stores declined by 1.4% (ex-fuel). Operating income over the period increased by...

@WalmartLabs has made two further acquisitions, OneOps and Tasty Labs, to boost its capabilities in platform and cloud development and social integration. Adding technology and talent through acquisition These latest acquisitions represent a continuation of @WalmartLabs’ strategy to build its team by strategically adding technology and talent through key acquisitions. The acquisition of One...

Walmart has launched a TV and digital advertising campaign to demonstrate how it helps US shoppers to save money, creates career opportunities, generates efficiencies and works with manufacturers to help deliver lower prices. Focusing on the opportunities driven by saving money The initiative, which also includes a new website, therealwalmart.com, features a TV ad where Walmart uses its ow...

For many, Walmart is considered to be the stereotypical big-box retailer, a reputation that has been earned based on its core domestic operations. In some respects, it is a well-deserved reputation, with over 4,000 Supercentres operating in the US. However, as the focus of new openings at home shifts towards smaller format supermarkets, over the last five years the retailer has built a signifi...

India's Supreme Court has rejected a petition against FDI in multi-brand retail, saying that as a policy it did not suffer from any constitutional or statutory infirmity.  "Consumer is king" says court According to reports, the Supreme Court said the decision to allow FDI had a legal basis in a previous act.  It welcomed what it called the focus on benefiting the consumer by " enlarging ...

As part of its first quarter results announcement, in which it revealed net sales growth of 5.1%, Walmart de México y Centroamérica has revealed more details of changes to the structure of its self-service division.  Mixed results across region Speaking at the results presentation, Scot Rank, president and director general, said results were solid in central America; income was up 2% in p...

Walmart has outlined two key commitments related to the procurement of renewable energy and reducing the energy intensity of it buildings by 2020, as part of its goal of being supplied 100% by renewable energy. Key milestones for its global sustainability initiative Unveiled at Walmart’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting, the retailer has committed to achieving the following by the en...

Walmart has announced plans to test in-store lockers for products ordered online in the US. This was among a number of new initiatives highlighted at its e-commerce media day held at its global e-commerce head office in San Bruno, California. Lockers offer added convenience The test of the lockers forms part of a broader plan by Walmart to integrate its physical stores with its online ...

In the first of this year's regular updates on the world's top retailers, we look at recent developments at Carrefour, Tesco, Metro and Walmart. We see how online and digital strategies are becoming more important, and how they are adapting to changing conditions in various markets around the world. Carrefour embarking on second phase of plan to deliver better profits Carrefour rev...

Walmart de México y Centroamérica is to invest USD30m in Nicaragua in 2013, which will be directed at new store openings. Maintaining levels of investment According to local press reports, the retailer will invest in seven new outlets in Nicaragua, to add to its existing portfolio of discount stores and supermarkets.  Corporate affairs manager Eduardo García said the rate of openings would ...