Walmart News Now

05/19/2011 - 15:54
Walmart CEO talks traction on comps

Despite progress on several key merchandising initiatives during the first quarter, it wasn’t enough to prevent Walmart from logging a 1.1% decline in same-store sales, losing customer traffic and introducing the possibility the second quarter will bring more of the same. The company’s forecast for second quarter same-store sales envisions a range of possibilities between a 1% decline and 1% increase.

Walmart turned what appeared to be some fairly grim news on the U.S. sales front into a message of inspiration by pointing out that growing comps is the senior management’s highest priority, and positive results are being realized in areas where strategic initiatives have been in place the longest.

05/19/2011 - 15:42
Who needs comps when profits are $3.4 billion?

So maybe the Walmart U.S. isn’t lighting things up on the same-store sales front just yet; the division did manage to grow total sales by 0.6% to $62.7 billion and increase operating profits by 0.8% to $4.65 billion. This despite the fact that division president and CEO Bill Simon noted the paycheck cycle remains pronounced, and higher year-over-year gas prices are eating into the disposable income of the company’s core shoppers who are consolidating trips.

05/17/2011 - 15:51
Report: Wal-Mart and Massmart may end talks

Wal-Mart Stores may give up its quest to buy a controlling stake in South Africa’s Massmart Holdings Ltd., if South Africa forces local procurement conditions on the retailers, the companies said, the Associated Press reported.

05/17/2011 - 10:40
Walmart 1Q EPS beats guidance, but U.S. comps still a sore spot
05/13/2011 - 10:31
Small format’s future unfolds in NWA

One of the more interesting developments in the retail industry is set to unfold in a series of small towns along the Western edge of Arkansas where Walmart is set open the first of its experimental small formats.

First up is a 35,000-sq.-ft. Walmart Market store along the western edge of Fayetteville that is scheduled to open next week. Walmart Market is the new name for the concept previously known as Neighborhood Market so this store isn’t likely to be revolutionary in its design or product assortment, although it is about 10,000 sq. ft. smaller than the typical Neighborhood Market Walmart opened during the past decade.

05/13/2011 - 10:26
Small format plot thickens with exec departure

Santiago Roces left Walmart with little fanfare or the issuance of a press release last month, which isn’t uncommon for executives at the SVP level at the company the size of Walmart. Nevertheless, the timing of the departure certainly seems curious given that Roces was the guy with the words “small format” in his title and Walmart is about to open the first of its Walmart Express stores and rebrand Neighborhood Market as Walmart Market.

05/13/2011 - 10:21
An e-commerce investment in China

Walmart acquired a minority interest in Chinese e-commerce company Yihaodian, the company announced Friday morning. Yihaodian was launched in July 2008 and currently offers 75,000 products and next-day delivery on essential items from an existing logistics network in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

05/13/2011 - 10:17
There is something in a name
05/13/2011 - 10:14
Revving up for NASCAR

Many Walmart shoppers happen to be NASCAR fans, so it makes sense that the retailer would host exclusive events around big races in key markets.

05/12/2011 - 17:33
Former Walmart executive named Save-A-Lot president, CEO

Supervalu banner Save-A-Lot has appointed a new leader, replacing company veteran Bill Shaner, who has lead the division since 2006.

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