Walmart President and CEO Outlines Retailer’s Newest Chapter
Company’s associates and shareholders urged to “reimagine retail again”
BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today at Walmart’s 46th Annual Shareholders Meeting, President and CEO, Doug McMillon outlined his vision for the future. He urged the company’s 2.3 million associates to write the next chapter in Walmart’s story, saying “We have the opportunity to reimagine retail again.”
McMillon reinforced the call to action by announcing that Walmart is now working with Uber and other partners to test deliveries to customers from U.S. stores and clubs. He also took to Facebook Live to connect directly with Walmart associates around the world and thank them for their service.
Supporting Associates, Serving Customers and Communities
The more than 14,000 in attendance listened closely as McMillon outlined three critical steps for the retailer’s reinvention: supporting and engaging Walmart associates, serving customers and serving communities.
“As the world becomes more digital, it will be the humanity of Walmart that differentiates us and wins with customers,” he said. “Our investments in education and training, store structure, wages, hours and sales floor technology are to support you and enable you to serve your customers and members. Every associate has a role to play. The actions of 2.3 million of you add up to something big.”
McMillon referenced the company’s purpose of saving people money so they can live better and said part of living better is about being able to “invest time in the people and the life you love.”
He added, “This is our ambition globally: we want to be the first place busy families go to save money and time, especially on their everyday needs. We’re connecting all the parts of Walmart into one seamless shopping experience with great stores, easy pickup, fast delivery, and apps and websites that are simple to use.”
McMillon went on to recap the progress Walmart has made in creating a seamless shopping experience for customers around the world:
- In China, the retailer has strengthened stores, built a modern supply chain and is moving aggressively with pickup and delivery.
- In the UK, ASDA’s grocery home shopping service now covers almost 99 percent of the country.
- Around the world, the retailer is developing pickup or delivery capabilities in 11 countries.
- In the U.S., Walmart associates are more engaged, merchandise assortment is improving, and inventory flow is better. Online grocery pickup has rolled out in nearly 40 markets.
- Additionally in the U.S., the retailer will offer Walmart Pay in every store by the end of this month to make the checkout experience faster and easier. And the retailer has recently announced an unlimited two-day shipping option from Walmart.com and a rapid online assortment expansion.
“We’ll be there for our customers – making their lives simpler and better. And customers will choose Walmart because we’ve earned it,” McMillon said.
McMillon also spoke about the company’s role in serving communities.
“Our customers care about their neighbors, their planet, and their children’s future. They want to buy products that are good for the environment and the people who made them. They want items that are safe and healthy for their families. And ultimately they want to spend their money with a retailer they trust. We earn trust by operating in a way you and your family can be proud of. We'll do that and more.”
For more information or to watch a replay of the shareholders meeting, please visit www.walmartshareholders.com.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,527 stores under 63 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
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Walmart Media Relations
Deisha Barnett, 1-800-331-0085
Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.