Walmart to Revamp E-Commerce, Mobile Strategies
In 2013, Walmart plans to invest in opportunities to serve more customers globally and accelerate the vision of anytime, anywhere access by bringing together best-in-class online, mobile and social capabilities.
Addressing investors attending the Barclays Retail and Consumer Discretionary Conference, Walmart’s EVP and CEO of its Global e-Commerce division previewed the next steps that the retail giant is taking toward that goal: “E-commerce is the next growth engine for Walmart. We want to know what every product in the world is, who every person in the world is and then connect them.”
To that end, Walmart.com is introducing a new home page, according to this article from Marketing Daily. Ashe said that the new home page “highlights how we think people are shopping, focusing on the way you search, a new trending section for the way you browse, and finally a store experience: How can you find it near you?”
The revamped web site reflects a shift in the retailer’s thinking over the last two years from a channel-specific conversation to a customer-focused conversation. Ashe said, “We need to look at things from her [the customer] eyes. Are we satisfying her when, where and how she likes to be served?”
The goal of Walmart’s e-commerce revamp is two-fold, according to Ashe: “Piece A is obviously to create a stronger bond with our customers. Piece B is that we can reach out to new customers — people who either don’t live near a Walmart, or just choose not to shop in our stores.”
Ashe also revealed that smartphones are continually driving its innovations. “More than half of our customers now have smartphones,” he said, adding that shoppers can now switch their Walmart app to in-store mode in more than 200 of its stores. The app then provides store maps, in-stock information and allows customers to scan items and check themselves out as they shop. “We’ve committed significant resources to mobile,” he says.
Other innovations in the pipeline include allowing customers to pay cash and in-store delivery lockers to make it easier for shoppers to use its popular “ship to store” option.
“Walmart is only getting stronger as the world’s healthiest and best-positioned global retailer,” said Walmart President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke in his letter to shareholders in April 2013. “I’m pleased with our business and financial performance last year. But what gives me the most confidence is the changing landscape of retail around the world, and how our people, our strategies and the customers we know and care about fit in. Whether it’s everyday low prices, a seamless shopping experience, the most talented team of associates or our model for making a difference, we are on the right path.”
Addressing investors attending the Barclays Retail and Consumer Discretionary Conference, Walmart’s EVP and CEO of its Global e-Commerce division previewed the next steps that the retail giant is taking toward that goal: “E-commerce is the next growth engine for Walmart. We want to know what every product in the world is, who every person in the world is and then connect them.”
To that end, Walmart.com is introducing a new home page, according to this article from Marketing Daily. Ashe said that the new home page “highlights how we think people are shopping, focusing on the way you search, a new trending section for the way you browse, and finally a store experience: How can you find it near you?”
The revamped web site reflects a shift in the retailer’s thinking over the last two years from a channel-specific conversation to a customer-focused conversation. Ashe said, “We need to look at things from her [the customer] eyes. Are we satisfying her when, where and how she likes to be served?”
The goal of Walmart’s e-commerce revamp is two-fold, according to Ashe: “Piece A is obviously to create a stronger bond with our customers. Piece B is that we can reach out to new customers — people who either don’t live near a Walmart, or just choose not to shop in our stores.”
Ashe also revealed that smartphones are continually driving its innovations. “More than half of our customers now have smartphones,” he said, adding that shoppers can now switch their Walmart app to in-store mode in more than 200 of its stores. The app then provides store maps, in-stock information and allows customers to scan items and check themselves out as they shop. “We’ve committed significant resources to mobile,” he says.
Other innovations in the pipeline include allowing customers to pay cash and in-store delivery lockers to make it easier for shoppers to use its popular “ship to store” option.
“Walmart is only getting stronger as the world’s healthiest and best-positioned global retailer,” said Walmart President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke in his letter to shareholders in April 2013. “I’m pleased with our business and financial performance last year. But what gives me the most confidence is the changing landscape of retail around the world, and how our people, our strategies and the customers we know and care about fit in. Whether it’s everyday low prices, a seamless shopping experience, the most talented team of associates or our model for making a difference, we are on the right path.”