Content about Wal-Mart

February 6, 2012

Walmart backs commitment to health with $9.5 million

Walmart is following through on its commitment to give consumers the best access to affordable, nutritious foods by donating $9.5 million in grants to organizations with a shared mission of promoting healthy eating habits.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is following through on its commitment to give consumers the best access to affordable, nutritious foods by donating $9.5 million in grants to organizations with a shared mission of promoting healthy eating habits.

The funding will support nutrition education programs, provide classes focused on learning to cook and shop for healthier foods on a budget and provide live cooking demonstrations in communities nationwide, the company annnounced in a press release.

February 3, 2012

NPD Group to receive, analyze Walmart's point-of-sale information

NPD Group is expanding its portfolio of solution-oriented products and services by acquiring data from Walmart's U.S. stores and website.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — NPD Group is expanding its portfolio of solution-oriented products and services by acquiring data from Walmart's U.S. stores and website.

January 26, 2012

Walmart opens second supercenter in Chicago

Walmart on Wednesday opened its second supercenter in Chicago.

NEW YORK — Walmart on Wednesday opened its second supercenter in Chicago.

January 25, 2012

Select Walmart stores to carry new Piggy Paint nail polish

Hitting select Walmart locations is the new Piggy Paint nail polish for little girls.

NEW YORK — Hitting select Walmart locations is the new Piggy Paint nail polish for little girls.

The water-based, nontoxic, odorless, hypoallergenic and nonflammable nail polish is designed to deliver the thrills of a "big girl" manicure without harsh chemical ingredients or dizzying fumes.

There are five Piggy Paint SKUs that are being launched at the end of January in more than 1,400 Walmart stores across the United States. The kits retail for $3.98 and up.

January 23, 2012

Six pharmacy retailers recognized for diversity business opportunities

Walmart ranked No. 1 out of six retail pharmacy operators who were identified as part of the “Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities" by DiversityBusiness.com last week. Other pharmacy retailers on the list included, in order, Kroger, Supervalu, Target, Walgreens and Ahold USA.

SOUTHPORT, Conn. — Walmart ranked No. 1 out of six retail pharmacy operators who were identified as part of the “Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities" by DiversityBusiness.com last week. Other pharmacy retailers on the list included, in order, Kroger, Supervalu, Target, Walgreens and Ahold USA.

January 20, 2012

Cornell departs Sam's Club, Brewer becomes CEO

In an unexpected turn of events, Brian Cornell is stepping down as Sam’s Club president and CEO and will be replaced by Rosalind Brewer, who currently serves as president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In an unexpected turn of events, Brian Cornell is stepping down as Sam’s Club president and CEO and will be replaced by Rosalind Brewer, who currently serves as president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit. The company announced a number of other senior personnel changes as well in advance of the new fiscal year.

In a statement, Walmart said Cornell, 52, recently informed the company that he and his wife would like to move back to the Northeast for family reasons. His departure comes as Sam’s has experienced strong sales growth.

January 19, 2012

Walmart kicks off 'Get on the Shelf' contest

Looking to put America's inventors front and center by uncovering the next great product, Walmart and @WalmartLabs have kicked off the "Get on the Shelf" contest.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Looking to put America's inventors front and center by uncovering the next great product, Walmart and @WalmartLabs have kicked off the "Get on the Shelf" contest.

January 17, 2012

Walmart adds latest piece to e-commerce puzzle

Walmart has named a replacement for Eduardo Castro-Wright, who announced his pending retirement in September. The company announced that Neil Ashe is the new president and CEO of the company's global e-commerce business, effective Jan. 16. Castro-Wright will assist in the transition.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Walmart has named a replacement for Eduardo Castro-Wright, who announced his pending retirement in September. The company announced that Neil Ashe is the new president and CEO of the company's global e-commerce business, effective Jan. 16. Castro-Wright will assist in the transition.

Ashe is replacing Eduardo Castro-Wright who announced his pending retirement in September and will assist in the transition.

January 9, 2012

Walmart preps for tax season

Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation services and free in-store federal form 1040EZ filing. The retailer also will provide $3 and $6 check-cashing services.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation services and free in-store federal form 1040EZ filing. The retailer also will provide $3 and $6 check-cashing services.

"We believe Americans shouldn't have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs," almart Financial Services VP Daniel Eckert said. "It's their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price."

January 6, 2012

Is a turnaround at Sears Holdings on the way?

One of the most enduring rules of business is that when customers stop coming through the door, then the time has come for a reinvention.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the most enduring rules of business is that when customers stop coming through the door, then the time has come for a reinvention.

Recent decisions by Sears Holdings indicate that despite its financial problems, it's not too late for a comeback. The hiring of Ron Boire to head merchandising could give it new direction, while the introduction of the Fitness Flagship store-within-a-store allows Sears to capitalize on an area in which it has long specialized while taking advantage of the growing interest in health and wellness.

January 5, 2012

Kaz ad campaign taps into Google Flu Trends to help drive purchase intent

Kaz recently commissioned Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide on a new mobile campaign using location-based targeting that helps drive sales to specific retailers by name.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Kaz recently commissioned Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide for a new mobile campaign using location-based targeting that helps drive sales to retailers by name.

The campaign features Kaz's Vicks Behind Ear thermometer. Ads are placed within popular mobile apps that only pop up during, in this case, a high incidence of flu through utilization of Google Flu Trends. In other words, the ad targets users who arguably have a higher need for the product — a factor that would presumably increase the purchase intent with that branded call to action.

January 5, 2012

Walmart places the pitchman on the shelf alongside the product

Walmart featured this talking shelf touting the benefits of a quit-smoking program in the first week of 2012 in this new store just outside of York, Pa.

YOCUMTOWN, Pa. — Walmart featured this talking shelf touting the benefits of a quit-smoking program in the first week of 2012 in this new store just outside of York, Pa. The endcap, located in the pharmacy area, was facing the main aisle dividing the grocery sector from the rest of the store. Across the aisle, another shelf-cum-video featured the benefits of Quaker Oats for those resolving to eat better in 2012.

January 4, 2012

Goody to launch heat styling line at Target, Walmart

Goody is launching for 2012 its first-ever heat styling products that are slated to hit Target and Walmart shelves in March.

ATLANTA — Goody is launching for 2012 its first-ever heat styling products that are slated to hit Target and Walmart shelves in March.

The new collection is comprised of the Goody Heat Flash Dry blow dryer, Smart Temp blow dryer and Wave Creator styling iron.

January 4, 2012

Walmart vet Ron Loveless joins U.S. Preventive Medicine

U.S. Preventive Medicine on Wednesday named Ronald Loveless its vice chairman.

DALLAS — U.S. Preventive Medicine on Wednesday named Ronald Loveless its vice chairman. Loveless will serve alongside vice chairman Ron Loeppke, who joined the company in 2008 to direct product innovation, research and clinical standards at the company.

Loveless, a Walmart retiree and first CEO of Sam's Club, will play a key role in guiding the growth of U.S. Preventive Medicine in the United States, as well as international markets, the company stated.

December 7, 2011

'It's beginning to look a lot like …'

'Tis the season! That's the spirit behind Implus Footcare with the merchandising of a product that makes you want to hum, "It's beginning to look a lot like …" at this Walmart in central Pennsylvania.

PALMYRA, Pa. — 'Tis the season! That's the spirit behind Implus Footcare with the merchandising of a product that makes you want to hum, "It's beginning to look a lot like …" at this Walmart in central Pennsylvania. Going for that stocking stuffer appeal, the product placement certainly catches the eye in a set that showcases more blue, orange and purple than red and green.

December 5, 2011

Game change?  

  It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It’s that kind of Dickensian double-speak that personifies the tone of the holiday forecasts this year — forecasts that have really been all over the board.

December 5, 2011

Higher healthcare calling motivates

Senior Walmart executives regularly invoke the name of Sam Walton when it serves to reinforce a point regarding the company’s business model or the cultural principles on which Walton is said to have founded the company. Dr. John Agwunobi, president of health and wellness for Walmart U.S., took the practice a step further recently when he participated in a panel presentation with other top executives at a conference put on by the Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business. 

December 5, 2011

Small formats promise easy access

Walmart’s first small-format Express stores have only been open about six months, but strong initial consumer acceptance, coupled with increasingly flexible real estate, points to the near certainty of an eventual rollout. 

The stores range between 10,000 and 15,000 sq. ft., offer about 13,000 products and were developed so Walmart could tap potential growth opportunities in rural and urban markets. Walmart expects to end its current fiscal year in late January 2012 with 11 Walmart Express stores following the opening of the first units in northwest Arkansas. 

December 5, 2011

Suppliers’ views on working with Walmart

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas. 

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas. 

(To view the full results of the Walmart Supplier Survey, click here.)

December 1, 2011

@WalmartLabs' Shopycat seeks to bridge gap between social media, shopping

Walmart is looking to help holiday shoppers find the perfect gift this season with the launch of a new social shopping application.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Walmart is looking to help holiday shoppers find the perfect gift this season with the launch of a new social shopping application.

December 1, 2011

Kroger posts 32 consecutive quarters of comp sales gains; increases outlook for year

Kroger posted its 32nd consecutive same-store sales gains as the grocer continues to grab market share due to a combination of a customer service initiative and value pricing.

CINCINNATI — Kroger posted its 32nd consecutive same-store sales gains as the grocer continues to grab market share due to a combination of a customer service initiative and value pricing.

November 30, 2011

Packaged Facts: Pet drug sales to reach $6.7 billion in 2011

While sales figures for pharmaceuticals are frequently reported on, drugs for people's four-legged friends also are a money maker.

NEW YORK — While sales figures for pharmaceuticals are frequently reported on, drugs for people's four-legged friends also are a money maker.

According to Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, retail sales of pet medications — including sales through retail stores, online retailers and veterinarians — will reach $6.7 billion this year.

November 15, 2011

Walmart turns the comps corner as holidays arrive

Walmart delivered a long-awaited same-store sales increase of 1.3% at its U.S. stores division in the third quarter and pointed to ongoing momentum for the holidays with comps guidance ranging from flat to up 2%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart delivered a long-awaited same-store sales increase of 1.3% at its U.S. stores division in the third quarter and pointed to ongoing momentum for the holidays with comps guidance ranging from flat to up 2%.

November 14, 2011

Sam's Club reveals Black Friday deals

Sam's Club has revealed 60 featured deals for its annual, members-only Day After Thanksgiving Event (D.A.T.E.).

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has revealed 60 featured deals for its annual, members-only Day After Thanksgiving Event (D.A.T.E.).

The event will take place at all Sam's Club locations nationwide at 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

Members who participate in the event will be able to enjoy complimentary breakfast from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. In addition, shoppers who join Sam's Club or upgrade to Plus Membership while in-club through the weekend will receive a $20 gift card.

November 14, 2011

Studies further underscore importance of convenient care industry

The recently released report by Kalorama Information indicating that retail-based health clinics are a viable business for retailers — if managed correctly — further underscores the importance of the convenient care industry, and comes just as a separate study highlighted the value of employer-based on-site health clinics.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The recently released report by Kalorama Information indicating that retail-based health clinics are a viable business for retailers — if managed correctly — further underscores the importance of the convenient care industry, and comes just as a separate study highlighted the value of employer-based on-site health clinics.