PresentationKatharine McShaneMD & Retail Analyst Hello, everyone. My name is Kate McShane. I'm the retail hardline, broadline analyst at Goldman Sachs. And we're very happy to have David Guggina, Executive Vice President and Chief E-commerce Officer of Walmart U.S. David serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief E-commerce Officer for Walmart U.S. and leads the company's work to grow its online business by delivering exceptional customer and seller experiences across all online platforms and services ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Walmart reported a 26% growth in its US e-commerce business for Q2, with a two-year stack growth of approximately 48% [9] - Fast delivery options have seen significant uptake, with 25% of fast deliveries now completed in 30 minutes or less [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The e-commerce segment now accounts for about 20% of Walmart's total sales, reflecting rapid growth and transformation in this area [8] - Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) has seen a penetration increase of nearly 600 basis points over the past year, indicating strong growth in fulfillment capabilities [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Walmart can deliver to 94% of U.S. households in three hours or less, with plans to expand this to 95% by year-end [11] - Customers utilizing fast delivery options spend two times more than the average digital customer, with those using it four or more times spending three times more [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its e-commerce capabilities, particularly through fast delivery and expanding its marketplace offerings [41] - Walmart is investing in automation technology within its supply chain, with about half of its inventory moving through automated systems [39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed excitement about the potential for faster delivery options and the growth of the marketplace, emphasizing the importance of artificial intelligence in reshaping customer experiences [42] - The company is optimistic about the continued integration of e-commerce with higher-margin businesses like advertising and data ventures, which are expected to improve profitability [31][32] Other Important Information - Walmart's e-commerce strategy includes a focus on connecting its physical stores with online offerings to enhance customer experience [10] - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement through tools like Sparky, a shopping assistant [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the current role and responsibilities at Walmart? - The Chief E-commerce Officer outlined responsibilities in leading the US e-commerce strategy and execution, leveraging extensive experience in supply chain and fulfillment [6] Question: What are the key milestones in Walmart's e-commerce transformation? - Key milestones include the expansion of online pickup and delivery, fast delivery options, and the development of Walmart Fulfillment Services [9][10] Question: How does Walmart's store footprint provide a competitive advantage? - Walmart's extensive network of 4,700 assets allows for rapid delivery capabilities, with a focus on local inventory tailored to geographic locations [11] Question: What is the impact of fast delivery on customer behavior? - Fast delivery has led to increased purchase frequency and larger basket sizes, with customers spending significantly more when utilizing these options [15][16] Question: How is Walmart building relationships with brands and distributors? - The company engages with sellers through both outbound and inbound contacts, utilizing software tools to facilitate onboarding and assess seller performance [26][27] Question: What is the current status of Walmart's automation journey? - Walmart is in the early stages of its automation journey, with significant progress in fulfillment centers and plans for further deployment across its distribution network [39]

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Walmart.Looking at options history for Walmart WMT we detected 14 trades.If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 42% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.From the overall spotted trades, 10 are puts, for a total amount of $431,425 and 4, calls, for a total amount of $248,496.Predicted Price RangeBased on the trading activity, it appears that the significant ...

Core Insights - Walmart plans to open its first branded stores in South Africa later this year, highlighting its commitment to making affordable merchandise accessible to more customers [2] Group 1 - The strategic move into South Africa is part of Walmart's broader commitment to expanding its market presence [2] - The initiative aims to enhance customer access to affordable products in the region [2] - This expansion reflects Walmart's ongoing strategy to penetrate new markets and increase its global footprint [2]

U.S. retailer Walmart will launch its first branded stores in South Africa this year, it said on Tuesday. ...

Both retailers are executing well lately, but one stock looks better than the other for the long term.Walmart (WMT 1.72%) and Dollar Tree (DLTR -1.70%) shares have both surged over the past year, standing out in a choppy economy with their value-focused retail models. Each company has delivered solid results for shareholders recently, but their investment cases rely on very different strengths. Walmart, the scaled and tech-driven retailer with supercenters, Sam's Club, and a fast-growing e-commerce platform ...

Core Viewpoint - Investing in the retail sector presents challenges, but it may also create buying opportunities for long-term successful retailers that maintain a competitive edge [1] Group 1: Walmart - Walmart has a strong identity and has focused on low prices since its inception over six decades ago, which provides a competitive advantage [4] - The company has invested in technology to compete with e-commerce giants like Amazon, including omnichannel capabilities and a subscription program, Walmart+ [5] - Walmart U.S. division reported a 4.6% increase in same-store sales for the fiscal second quarter, with higher traffic contributing 1.5 percentage points [6] - Management raised the companywide sales growth outlook for the year from 3.5% to 4.25%, excluding foreign-currency exchange translations [7] - Walmart's stock appreciated 26.7% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500's 13.6%, with a P/E ratio contracting from 40 to 36 [8] Group 2: Kohl's - Kohl's offers a wide range of products at moderate prices but has struggled with traffic and sales, despite initiatives like Amazon returns at its stores [9] - The company's fiscal second-quarter same-store sales fell 4.2%, leading to a decrease in operating income from $165 million to $161 million [10] - Management projects a further decline in same-store sales by 4% to 5% for the year [10] - Kohl's has faced leadership instability, with a recent CEO dismissal, contributing to a 16.8% decline in share price over the past year [11] - The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 9, significantly lower than the S&P 500's P/E [11][12] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Kohl's may appear as a value stock due to its low P/E ratio, but declining sales and lack of a clear turnaround plan suggest caution [12] - Walmart is favored for its consistent customer attraction and future investments, even with a higher valuation, as it typically performs well in challenging economic conditions [13]

The August jobs report was released moments ago, showing that the US added just 22,000 jobs last month, much much less than the 75,000 that economists expected. The unemployment rate also saw a slight increase to 4.3%. This, of course, the first jobs report released since President Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics last month after that report showed not just a weak level of job creation, but also a dramatic reductions in previous month's totals.There's no way to sugarcoat this. This jo ...

Core Insights - OpenAI is advancing its initiatives in artificial intelligence by launching a certification program in partnership with Walmart, aiming to certify 10 million individuals in AI use by 2030 [1][2][5] Group 1: OpenAI's Initiatives - OpenAI has launched the OpenAI Academy, a free online platform that has connected over 2 million individuals with resources to master AI tools [2] - The new certification program will offer various levels of AI fluency, from basic usage to advanced skills like prompt engineering [2] - OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, described the recently launched GPT-5 as a significant upgrade, likening it to having a team of PhD-level experts available [7] Group 2: Walmart's Role - Walmart's CEO, John Furner, emphasized the importance of equipping employees with AI skills to shape the future of retail [5] - The partnership with OpenAI aims to bring AI training directly to Walmart associates, enhancing their capabilities in utilizing technology [5] Group 3: Broader Implications - OpenAI's initiative is positioned as a means to empower a broader range of individuals to leverage AI opportunities, moving beyond just a select few [9]

Core Insights - Amazon's share of U.S. retail spending increased by 7.6% in Q2 2025, more than doubling over the past six years, while Walmart's share has remained flat at 7 to 8% [1][14][15] - Amazon's U.S. retail sales grew by 9.5% year over year, significantly outpacing Walmart's 4.6% growth, indicating a structural shift in U.S. retail leadership [1][5][6] Amazon's Performance - Amazon's retail sales growth in Q2 2025 was driven by a 9.6% increase in eCommerce, leveraging its Prime membership, third-party marketplace, and logistics network [5][8] - Whole Foods, previously seen as a laggard, achieved a 7.5% growth, contributing to Amazon's overall performance [5] - The company's ecosystem maturity is reflected in its ability to reinforce customer loyalty and enhance selection and pricing through its Prime subscriptions and seller partnerships [8][14] Walmart's Performance - Walmart's growth of 4.6% in Q2 2025, while an improvement from Q1's 3.2%, remains less than half of Amazon's growth rate [6][7] - The traditional strategies of Walmart, such as lean inventory management and price leadership, are becoming less effective in a market increasingly defined by digital convenience [7][10] Competitive Dynamics - Amazon's continuous reinvestment in logistics, data-driven personalization, and customer-facing technologies keeps it ahead of competitors [10][11] - Walmart's initiatives, including acquisitions and investments in eCommerce and healthcare, have not yet shifted consumer perception significantly [11] - The grocery sector remains a stronghold for Walmart, holding a 21% market share compared to Amazon's 2.7%, but Amazon's investments in grocery indicate a strategic priority in this area [12] Consumer Behavior Trends - The share of consumer wallet is a critical measure of retail competition, with Amazon gaining ground as consumers increasingly allocate their spending to the platform [13][14] - Amazon's share of U.S. consumer retail spending has more than doubled over six years, reflecting its integration into daily life and consumer habits [14][15]