Headlines

Walmart Focusing on Store Experience

Execs say customer point of view critical

Published

10 years ago

October 22, 2014

A focus on merchandising was one of the themes of Walmart Corp.’s (Bentonville, Ark.) investor meetings last week. Speaking in public for the first time since his appointment as ceo of Walmart’s U.S. operations, Greg Foran said improving the customer experience—from functional carts and quick checkout to seasonally-appropriate merchandising—would be job one. Walmart ceo Doug McMillon also spoke to investors about improving performance through better merchandising, according to Supermarket News. He said the company is focusing on the “key customer dimensions” of price, assortment, experience and access.

McMillon also revealed Walmart’s intention to devote more of its capital spending to growth opportunities in digital marketing and reduce spending on new stores. Walmart will open 60 to 70 Supercenters, including conversions and relocations next year, down from 120 this year. Walmart will, however, accelerate the rollout of its smaller Neighborhood Market stores next year, with 170 expected to open in fiscal 2015.

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