Content about Walmart U.S.

May 16, 2013
Tardy tax refunds, cool weather impact Walmart’s Q1

Walmart Stores reported profit and sales lower than Wall Street expectations as the retail giant struggled against the payroll tax increase, delayed tax returns and an unseasonably cold spring impacting its U.S. sales.

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart Stores on Thursday reported profit and sales lower than Wall Street expectations as the retail giant struggled against the payroll tax increase, delayed tax returns and an unseasonably cold spring impacting its U.S. sales. The retailer also scaled back its earnings expectations for the current three-month period.

Walmart’s net income rose 1.1% to $3.8 billion. Revenue edged up 1%, to $113.4 billion.

January 22, 2013
Report: Shoppers want more buy-America options and Walmart aims to give it to them

More than 80% of Americans are willing to pay more for Made in the USA products, according to a USA Today report published online late Monday night.

TYSONS CORNER, Va. — More than 80% of Americans are willing to pay more for Made in the USA products, according to a USA Today report published online late Monday night. 

Out of those shoppers actively seeking to buy all things American, 93% reported that they wanted to keep jobs in the U.S. as their primary reason for doing so, the report noted, citing a survey released in November by Boston Consulting Group.

December 20, 2012
Walmart names Karen Roberts EVP, general counsel

Karen Roberts was named EVP and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday amid the retailer’s ongoing investigation in possible violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Karen Roberts was named EVP and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday amid the retailer’s ongoing investigation in possible violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Roberts, 42, is a 17-year Walmart veteran who most recently served as EVP and president of Walmart Realty for Walmart U.S. However, prior to that, she held the position of SVP and chief compliance officer for Walmart U.S. where she oversaw the establishment of food and product safety programs and a recycling program.

November 15, 2012
Supplier expectations offer insight at Walmart

Continued growth and increased competition from Amazon.com and the dollar stores. Improved in-stock levels offset by questionable in-store execution. Reduced buyer turnover and senior executives receptive to trading partner views.


Continued growth and increased competition from Amazon.com and the dollar stores. Improved in-stock levels offset by questionable in-store execution. Reduced buyer turnover and senior executives receptive to trading partner views.


November 15, 2012
Walmart works to narrow the pharmacy gap

Walmart’s pharmacy footprint is poised for its most meaningful expansion in decades, thanks to shifting capital expenditure priorities that have begun to favor more aggressive expansion of smaller stores.


Walmart’s pharmacy footprint is poised for its most meaningful expansion in decades, thanks to shifting capital expenditure priorities that have begun to favor more aggressive expansion of smaller stores.


September 19, 2012
Walmart forges new pathway to wellness, challenges others to follow

Walmart is hoping to blaze a bold new trail down the path toward wellness in its healthy food discount partnership with HumanaVitality announced this morning, and the global retailer has challenged others to follow.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is hoping to blaze a bold new trail down the path toward wellness in its healthy food discount partnership with HumanaVitality announced this morning, and the global retailer has challenged others to follow. 

May 17, 2012
Walmart Q1 comps gain 2.6%

First-quarter profits at Walmart exceeded analysts’ estimates as same-store sales increased 2.6% and the company said its strategy of low prices on a broad merchandise assortment is resonating again with shoppers.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — First-quarter profits at Walmart exceeded analysts’ estimates as same-store sales increased 2.6% and the company said its strategy of low prices on a broad merchandise assortment is resonating again with shoppers.

May 16, 2012
Generic Plavix arrives at Walmart, Sam's Club stores

Walmart and Sam's Club will be among the first retailers to offer a generic version of an antiplatelet drug.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and Sam's Club will be among the first retailers to offer a generic version of an antiplatelet drug.

Clopidogrel, the generic version of Plavix, will be available at both banners pharmacies on May 19. The patent for the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi drug officially expires Thursday.

April 13, 2012
Walmart, Humana team up for Rx4Value program

Walmart and healthcare partner Humana are out with a new prescription drug program called Rx4Value that guarantees savings and relies on the proven strategy of improving affordability by restricting choice to generic drugs.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and healthcare partner Humana are out with a new prescription drug program called Rx4Value that guarantees savings and relies on the proven strategy of improving affordability by restricting choice to generic drugs.

February 17, 2012
People News — 2/27/12

Brian Cornell has stepped down as Sam’s Club president and CEO, and has been replaced by Rosalind Brewer, who previously served as president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit. Walmart also named Rollin Ford chief administrative officer with responsibility for information systems, global sourcing, global business processes, global shared services and global customer insights. Ford was most recently chief information officer; Karenann Terrell replaced Ford as CIO. Gisel Ruis was named EVP and COO of Walmart U.S., responsible for U.S.

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.

November 10, 2011
Walmart officially unveils Black Friday circular online

Walmart on Thursday officially released its Black Friday circular on its website and Facebook page to help families save money this holiday season, and will host shopping events as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart on Thursday officially released its Black Friday circular on its website and Facebook page to help families save money this holiday season, and will host shopping events as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

November 9, 2011
Walmart denies exploring primary care healthcare platform

According to a request for information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — According to a request for information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

However, Walmart later denied this report in a statement released to the public on Wednesday. "The RFI statement of intent is overwritten and incorrect. We are not building a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform," stated John Agwunobi, SVP and president of Walmart U.S. health and wellness.

October 24, 2011
Walmart looks to bring holiday cheer with Christmas price guarantee

Walmart announced that it is helping ensure customers pay the lowest price on holiday gifts with the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping ensure customers pay the lowest price on holiday gifts with the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

Customers who purchase eligible product at Walmart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and then find those same products advertised for less at another store, will receive a Walmart gift card for the difference through Dec. 25.

October 13, 2011
Comps nightmare ending at Walmart

Two years of declining same-store sales at Walmart are poised to end next month when the retailer reports third-quarter results that reflect positive momentum from a wide range of initiatives put in place during the past 12 months, judging from comments made by senior executives during an all-day meeting with analysts on Wednesday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Two years of declining same-store sales at Walmart are poised to end next month when the retailer reports third-quarter results that reflect positive momentum from a wide range of initiatives put in place during the past 12 months, judging from comments made by senior executives during an all-day meeting with analysts on Wednesday.

September 12, 2011
Walmart tests no-frills format

The new Walmart Express concept is a further downsizing of Walmart’s supercenter and Neighborhood Market format, 
recently rebranded as Walmart Mart.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The new Walmart Express concept is a further downsizing of Walmart’s supercenter and Neighborhood Market format, 
recently rebranded as Walmart Mart. The 15,000-sq.-ft. stores are no-frills affairs with bare concrete floors and open-rafter ceilings. From a shoppers’ perspective, the store experience is consistent with the look and feel of a supercenter — only smaller. 


August 16, 2011
Walmart encouraged by sales improvement, reaffirms commitment to EDLP

Despite the absence of top line growth at Walmart’s U.S. stores division, second-quarter earnings grew 12.4% to $1.09 and came in a penny ahead of analysts’ estimates, which was enough for the company to narrow and increase the range of its full-year profit forecast.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Despite the absence of top line growth at Walmart’s U.S. stores division, second-quarter earnings grew 12.4% to $1.09 and came in a penny ahead of analysts’ estimates, which was enough for the company to narrow and increase the range of its full-year profit forecast.

June 20, 2011
A slow ride on the Walmart Express

The new small-format Walmart Express stores that opened earlier this month are an interesting concept with intriguing growth potential. But for the time being, and possibly for much longer, competitors need not concern themselves with the small stores.



BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The new small-format Walmart Express stores that opened earlier this month are an interesting concept with intriguing growth potential. But for the time being, and possibly for much longer, competitors need not concern themselves with the small stores.


At least that’s what Walmart wants the marketplace to believe following the opening of the first few of the 15,000-sq.-ft. stores earlier this month in northwest Arkansas.


April 25, 2011
Walmart gets back in on the action

Action Alley — branded feature displays and four-sided fixtures in the main aisles — marked its return to all Walmart stores this past holiday season, and signified Walmart’s return to promotional intensity.


April 11, 2011
Walmart returns to form with pricing campaign

Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition.

The retailer announced that it is reinvigorating its price leadership promise, bringing back products its customers have asked for and simplifying its ad match policy.

April 6, 2011
Walmart reports increase in global giving

Walmart announced that, through the Walmart Foundation, it has donated $319 million in cash and $480 million in in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that, through the Walmart Foundation, it has donated $319 million in cash and $480 million in in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

According to Walmart, the company's U.S. giving grew by 64%, largely due to donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers.

March 18, 2011
Walmart rolling out comprehensive waste-reduction program

Walmart announced it has eliminated more than 80% of the waste that would go to landfills from its operations in California by implementing a comprehensive waste-reduction program. The results far exceed the national average, where the Environmental Protection Agency estimated only 45% of waste is diverted from landfills. The California rate was 65%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced it has eliminated more than 80% of the waste that would go to landfills from its operations in California by implementing a comprehensive waste-reduction program. The results far exceed the national average, where the Environmental Protection Agency estimated only 45% of waste is diverted from landfills. The California rate was 65%.

February 25, 2011
Sticking with what works

Walmart is convinced its sales woes can be solved by a renewed emphasis on everyday low prices and breadth of assortment. As Walmart looks to execute those strategies, the health-and-wellness category will continue to be impacted as it is a key area where favorable trends exist and it is easier to demonstrate price separation.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walmart is convinced its sales woes can be solved by a renewed emphasis on everyday low prices and breadth of assortment. As Walmart looks to execute those strategies, the health-and-wellness category will continue to be impacted as it is a key area where favorable trends exist and it is easier to demonstrate price separation.

(THE NEWS: Walmart to refocus on U.S. unit as sales decline. For the full story, click here)

February 1, 2011
New exec Mac Naughton pursuing familiar strategy at Walmart

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Duncan Mac Naughton, recently promoted to chief merchandising officer for Walmart’s U.S. stores division, has an opportunity to be a hero at Walmart as the nation’s largest retailer looks to restore sales growth at its U.S. stores this year and beyond.


January 28, 2011
Mac Naughton rises to top as Walmart's chief merchant

In a swift move by Walmart, Duncan Mac Naughton has been appointed the retailer's chief merchandising officer for its U.S. division, less than three months after being named the company's merchandising EVP.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In a swift move by Walmart, Duncan Mac Naughton has been appointed the retailer's chief merchandising officer for its U.S. division, less than three months after being named the company's merchandising EVP.

Mac Naughton, who joined Walmart in October, was part of the big-box retailer's restructuring of the merchandising department, which involved divvying the responsibilities among four EVPs, directly reporting to Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon. Mac Naughton oversaw the consumables, health-and-wellness and Walmart.com businesses.