Walmart news 

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 ...

South Africa-based Massmart, in which Walmart has a stake, has said that during the six month period ending 23 December sales rose by 14.7% to ZAR36.2 billion. Growth seen across all operations The company said that comparable sales were up by 7.3% during the timeframe, aided by an average inflation rate of 3.7%. At a divisional level, Massmart said that its Massdiscounters division had seen ...

Walmart de Mexico is to invest around $1.4bn in 2013 in expanding its operations in Mexico and Central America. Store growth across existing and new cities Although Walmart de Mexico did not reveal how many stores would open as a result of this investment, total space growth will be between 7.8% and 8.7%. In Mexico , space growth is forecast to be between 8% and 9%, and around 6% in Centr...

Walmart's full year results, for the year to January 31, 2013, have revealed consolidated net sales growth of 5.0% for the full fiscal year 2013, to $466.1bn. Operating income increased by 4.7%, with income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart increasing by 7.8% to $15.8bn. The retailer made progress towards its five-year goal of reducing operating expenses as a percentage of s...

Following Asda's results presentation, we draw out the five key themes that we believe will drive growth for Asda in 2013. Investing for customers in a tough market: "EDLP is in our DNA" This was one of the core elements of Asda's focus in 2012 and in particular in Q4, and this will remain a key priority in 2013. At the results session, Andy Clarke explained "our customers continue to tell ...