Under this initiative, Walmart will aim to monetise the technologies it has developed over the last few years to support its digital transformation and moves towards creating an omnichannel business. This underpins the retailer’s ongoing investment in the customer proposition, including its ecommerce business, supply chain and pricing. As part of this effort, Walmart is forming a strategic partnership to integrate its Marketplace, online and in-store fulfillment and pickup technologies with the Adobe Commerce platform. Through this, other retail businesses will be able to use Walmart’s cloud-based services to offer seamless pickup and delivery to customers. Adobe Commerce customers will be able to:
· Show store pickup eligibility and available pickup times online, Offer multiple pickup options including curbside and in-store pickup,
·Provide store associates with advanced mobile tools to optimise pick path, multi-order pickups, validate item selection and manage substitutions,
· Enable compelling collection experiences for consumers, including order pickup communications, check- in options to notify store associates, accurate customer ETA, and arrival detection,
· They will also be able to reach new customers on its Marketplace, where they will be able to optimise Walmart Fulfillment Services to offer 2-day shipping across the US. Other retailers will be able to syndicate and sell their products on Walmart’s Marketplace, providing them with access to millions of new customers on Walmart.com and the retailer’s fulfillment services to offer two-day shipping
Scaling new profit pools is one Walmart’s strategic objectives. The retailer has developed a suite of new services and capabilities as part of its aim to diversify the business. While these are at different stages of development, Walmart is starting to drive meaningful revenue and profits from some of them. Most of these have the potential to grow into businesses of significant scale, including Walmart Connect, its digital media business. This approach is increasingly being replicated by other retailers as they look to offset the impact on profitability of larger ecommerce businesses. (IGD News 03/8)
