Áine Cain, provided by Published 5:21 am PST, Sunday, December 16, 2018 Walmart Walmart has been on an online brands binge for several years now. Bonobos, ModCloth, and Art.com are just a few of the brands the retail giant has snapped up since 2010. Walmart's pivot toward digital-native companies likely indicates its outlook on the future of retail. Walmart has been devouring online retailer after online retailer for the past few years. So what's behind this banquet of brands? The fact that many of the acquired companies belong to the realm of e-commerce indicates that this is all part of Walmart's ongoing battle with Amazon. But it's also about appealing to the younger, more affluent generation of consumers that flocks to brands like Bonobos and ModCloth. Read more: Walmart wants to win over millennials, but it might have to acquire '40 to 50' brands to do so A Walmart spokesperson previously told Business Insider that "one of the drivers for customers to … [Read more...] about Walmart has gobbled up a slew of brands since 2010 — and it’s all part of a strategy to take on Amazon and win over millennials (WMT)
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Canadian teen takes to intercom, resigns job at Walmart
Jackson Racicot, 17, looked around before flashing a subtle smile to the camera. It would be his last day working at the Walmart in Grande Prairie in Alberta, Canada. In the 1-minute video, he’s seen punching in a code to boot up the store’s intercom system. Racicot was about to announce his resignation in a way many disgruntled employees could only dream of. This would be his coup de grace. “Attention all shoppers, associates and management, I would like to say, to all of you today, that nobody should work here — ever.” The video, which was posted last Thursday, had more than 1,500 shares and 1,200 likes on Facebook as of Wednesday afternoon. It was posted with the caption “How I quit my job today. Like, much watch.” Racicot’s voice boomed through the loudspeakers as he claimed the store’s management didn’t care about the employees. He alleged that his boss, an assistant manager, called him a “waste of time.” He … [Read more...] about Canadian teen takes to intercom, resigns job at Walmart
Amazon and Walmart add more robots, but insist they won’t terminate jobs
Since Amazon bought warehouse robotics company Kiva Systems in 2012, its efforts in automation have been well known. The retail and tech powerhouse has introduced its cashierless Amazon Go stores, flirted with plans for drone deliveries, and rolled out tens of thousands of robots to shuffle goods around its fulfillment centers. “In fulfillment centers that have drive units, we’re able to store up to 40% more inventory and move customer orders in a faster, more efficient way,” wrote VP of robotics Brad Porter in an email to Fast Company, referring to the Kiva-derived warehouse transport bots. “As a result, we can make faster deliveries, offer lower prices, and ultimately, deliver a better customer experience.” But Amazon hasn’t been alone in pushing to bring robotics to the world of retail. Archrival Walmart has been adding bots to many of its warehouses and stores. A grocery distribution center in Shafter, California, is set to open in 2020, with … [Read more...] about Amazon and Walmart add more robots, but insist they won’t terminate jobs
Are Amazon and Walmart Killing Costco?
The wholesale shopping chain posted disappointing earnings on Friday. Andrew Osterland Published 4:25 pm CST, Friday, December 14, 2018 Photo: Scott Olson | Getty Images Photo: Scott Olson | Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 Photo: Scott Olson | Getty Images Are Amazon and Walmart Killing Costco? 1 / 1 Back to Gallery The U.S. economy still appears to be humming, but slowing growth in the rest of the world dragged down stock prices today. U.S. core retail sales (excluding food, gas and automobiles), were up 0.9 percent in November about twice the median estimate. However, lower industrial output and retail sales in China along with weak economic data from the … [Read more...] about Are Amazon and Walmart Killing Costco?
What the lives of the Waltons — America’s wealthiest family and heirs to the Walmart and Sam’s Club empire — are really like
The Walmart heirs are worth a combined $US157 billion. They grant money and resources to support education, environmental efforts, and their home community through the Walton Family Foundation. In public, the Waltons live a pretty modest life despite their wealth. Here’s how they spend their fortune. The combined wealth of the Walmart heirs – which includes Rob, Jim, Alice, John’s wife Christy, and their son Lukas – is $US157 billion, according to Bloomberg. While some work in the family business – whether that’s serving on the company board or working to manage the family’s wealth – others chose to pursue areas of personal passion. Sam Walton, the original man behind the company that now encompasses both Walmart and Sam’s Club, set his family up for financial success when he divided the ownership before he died. He wasn’t a man of flashy luxury, but you can see how his children are living a slightly more lavish life … [Read more...] about What the lives of the Waltons — America’s wealthiest family and heirs to the Walmart and Sam’s Club empire — are really like