Walmart and HomeValet Pilot Smart Box Technology to Receive Fresh Deliveries

When Walmart launched its grocery delivery service in 2018, the company did it for one reason – customers wanted it. Since then, it’s been a lifesaver for busy families. They can simply shop their local store from anywhere and schedule a time to have it delivered right to their front door. It’s incredibly convenient.

But as Walmart's founder, Sam Walton, once said, “To succeed, stay out in front of change.” It’s why Walmart is continuously testing new technology, like drones and autonomous vehicles, to find new ways to serve customers. "Which made us think – what if we could...

Grocers Begin Offering the COVID-19 Vaccine

As shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine are being sent out around the United States, grocery chains are preparing to offer the vaccine through their pharmacies. Clearance for immunizations came in December, after the FDA authorized the use of the first COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech SE. The second vaccine to be authorized was developed by Moderna, which the FDA stated can be given to people 18 years of age and older and cited the shot's high effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 in a large clinical study.

Kroger announced it will provide the COVID-19 vaccine nationwide across its 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics, partnering with the federal government and state health departments to administer the vaccine in accordance with...

Walmart and Gatik Go Driverless in Arkansas and Expand Self-Driving Car Pilot To a Second Location

Last year Walmart began an autonomous vehicle pilot with Gatik to move customer orders on a two-mile route between a dark store (a store that stocks items for fulfillment but isn’t open to the public) and a Neighborhood Market in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since then, Walmart has safely driven more than 70,000 operational miles in autonomous mode with a safety driver.

Now, the company is taking the next step forward: Gatik’s multi-temperature Autonomous Box Trucks will operate this route driverless in the state of Arkansas. This achievement marks a new milestone that signifies...

Lightlife Strengthens Walmart Partnership by Expanding Tempeh to 3,500 Stores 

Greenleaf Foods, SPC announced a significant retail expansion of its Lightlife brand Tempeh—a versatile, high-protein, naturally-fermented food that appeals to plant-based and meat eaters alike. Lightlife Tempeh is now available in more than 3,500 Walmart locations nationwide—a more than ten-fold growth from its previous 300 stores—bringing the product’s retail distribution to over 18,500 retail locations. Lightlife is the market leader in tempeh, having grown at a rate of 44% in 2020 alone.

“Lightlife Tempeh accounted for about 80% of total U.S. tempeh dollar sales so far this year,” said Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf Foods, SPC. “We are excited to grow our partnership with...

Walmart Releases Q3 FY21 Earnings

Walmart has released earnings for Q3 FY21. Below are highlights of the earnings results:

Total Revenue

Total revenue was $134.7 billion, an increase of $6.7 billion, or 5.2%. Excluding currency, total revenue would have increased 6.1% to reach $135.8 billion.

U.S. Comparable Sales

Walmart U.S. comparable sales increased 6.4% with strength across key categories, including...

Dr. Praeger’s Launches Refrigerated Veggie Burger Line

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods announced their first refrigerated product line.

The Refrigerated Burger is debuting at Walmart and is available in two SKUs – Classic Veggie Burger and Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burger. The new burgers feature the same veggie-forward look and flavor profile that Dr. Praeger’s customers know and love from fan favorites like the California Burger, and 13-16g of plant protein per patty. The Burgers are non-GMO, vegan and kosher certified.

After over 25 years in the frozen food aisle, Dr. Praeger’s is expanding to the refrigerated section to provide customers with nutritious and affordable veggie burger options no matter...

Hormel Foods Introduces Two New Flavors of Hormel Black Label Bacon

The makers of Hormel Black Label bacon are reinventing bacon once again with the launch of – Hormel Black Label Ranch Thick Cut Bacon and Hormel Black Label Classic Country Style Thick Cut Bacon.

The Hormel Black Label team brought the flavor and versatility of ranch to life with the latest innovation of Hormel Black Label Ranch Thick Cut Bacon. Ranch lovers can rejoice, because this new flavor is hand-rubbed with ranch seasoning and naturally hardwood smoked to create an irresistible flavor.

"Our team combined American's favorite condiment with thick-cut bacon to create Hormel Black Label bacon hand-rubbed with...

Beyond Meat to Expand Walmart Distribution

Beyond Meat, Inc. announced a major expansion in its long-standing relationship with Walmart. Following this summer’s successful launch of the Cookout Classic value pack, Beyond Meat’s most affordable product offering to date, this fall, Walmart plans to triple availability of the Beyond Burger from approximately 800 locations to more than 2,400 stores nationwide beginning next week. The move comes as part of Beyond Meat’s effort to increase worldwide accessibility to simple, plant-based meat products made without GMOs.

Beyond Meat first launched its frozen products at Walmart in 2015. Since then, Walmart has expanded its Beyond Meat in-store offerings to include the Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage in the fresh meat aisle and most recently...

Walmart Sets Goal to Become a Regenerative Company

Building on more than 15 years of sustainability leadership, Walmart today announced it is doubling down on addressing the growing climate crisis by targeting zero emissions across the company’s global operations by 2040. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are also committing to help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the cascading loss of nature threatening the planet.

“We want to play an important role in transforming the world’s supply chains to be regenerative. We face a growing crisis of climate change and nature loss, and we all need to take action with urgency,” said Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer, Walmart Inc...

Walmart Now Piloting On-Demand Drone Delivery

Walmart's latest initiative has the company exploring how drones can deliver items in a way that is convenient, safe, and fast. Walmart is taking the next step in the exploration of on-demand delivery by announcing a new pilot with Flytrex, an end-to-end drone delivery company.

The pilot is launching in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and focuses on delivering select grocery and household essential items from Walmart stores using Flytrex's automated drones. The drones, which are controlled over the cloud using a smart and easy control dashboard, will help...

Walmart Introduces New Membership Program 

Walmart is launching a new membership program that brings together in-store and online benefits to save customers money and time: Walmart+.

Walmart+ uses the company’s unique assets to make life easier for busy families. Along with the power of its online presence, Walmart+ has the reach of more than 4,700 stores, including 2,700 stores that offer delivery as fast as same day. Members will receive unlimited free delivery from stores, fuel discounts and access to tools that make shopping faster for families. Membership will be available to...

Impossible Foods Debuts at Walmart 

Impossible Foods’ flagship product will begin rolling out at Walmart.

The Impossible Burger has started hitting Walmart shelves and will soon be stocked in nearly 2,100 Walmart Supercenter and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. Customers can find Impossible Burger in the fresh meat section of the store in convenient, versatile 12-ounce packages. Impossible Burger is also available through Walmart Grocery Pickup & Delivery.

With the addition of Walmart locations, Impossible Burger will be available in more than 8,000 brick-and-mortar grocery stores across all 50 states -- a more than 50X increase...

JUST Egg to Debut at Select Retailers in Canada this Fall

Eat Just, Inc., announced that its award-winning plant-based egg will be coming to Whole Foods Market and select Walmart stores in Canada this fall. Canada is one of the most requested markets for the product, which has been a breakout success in retail and foodservice channels in the United States since its nationwide launch last year.

The newly released fluffy, folded format, will be marketed as JUST Plant Egg in Canada. It will be sold as a box of four in the frozen aisle at Whole Foods Market in Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Ottawa, and at more than 100 Walmart stores coast-to-coast. Additional on-shelf details will be announced at a later date.

In the U.S., sales of the toaster-ready product have surged since April, and it is now the #1 frozen breakfast entrée by velocity in the Natural Channel, according to...

Beyond Meat Introduces Limited Edition Burger Pack

Beyond Meat is making plant-based burgers more accessible and affordable this summer with the introduction of Cookout Classic, a limited edition burger 10-pack available at a majority of Walmart and Target stores nationwide and select retailers across the U.S. beginning the week of June 22. Sold in the frozen meat aisle with a suggested retail price of $15.99 ($1.60 per patty), the new offering will be available through mid-August, or until supplies last, and is intended to narrow the price gap between plant-based meat and animal protein.

With growing consumer interest in plant-based protein, the Cookout Classic value pack is designed to inspire a plant-based meat option at barbecues and summer gatherings. The burgers are made with...

Walmart Releases Q1 FY21 Earnings

Walmart's net sales and operating results were significantly affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.

Unprecedented demand for products across multiple categories led to strong top-line results. Certain incremental costs negatively affected operating income, including costs associated with enhanced wages and benefits as well as safety and sanitation.

Total revenue was $134.6 billion, an increase of $10.7 billion, or 8.6%. Excluding currency, total revenue would have increased 9.7% to reach $135.9 billion.

Walmart U.S. comp sales increased 10.0%, led by strength in food, consumables, health & wellness and...

Walmart Introduces Express Delivery

Walmart is announcing Express Delivery, a new service that delivers more items from the store than ever before to customers’ doors in less than two hours.

Walmart has accelerated the development of the service in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, piloting Express Delivery in 100 stores since mid-April. The service will expand to nearly 1,000 stores in early May and will be available in nearly 2,000 total stores in the following weeks. Express Delivery allows customers to order across more than 160,000 items from Walmart’s food, consumables and general merchandise assortment such as... 

Walmart Adds Grocery to Flagship App

For years, Walmart has had two mobile apps: the Walmart app and the Walmart Grocery app. Customers navigate both apps, but would like an easier way to shop without having to switch between the two. 

The company is excited to announce its adding Walmart Grocery to the flagship Walmart app. Now, customers can access everything Walmart has to offer in one, definitive experience – the Walmart app.

Here’s what the updated Walmart app offers...

Walmart Releases Q4 and FY20 Full-Year Earnings

Fourth-quarter highlights

• Total revenue was $141.7 billion, an increase of $2.9 billion, or 2.1%.
• Walmart U.S. comp sales increased on a two-year stacked basis by 6.0% with continued strength in food and consumables.
• Walmart U.S. eCommerce had strong growth in grocery pickup and delivery, and walmart.com had its highest quarterly growth rate of the year.
• Sam’s Club comp sales increased 0.8%, and eCommerce sales grew 33%. Reduced tobacco sales negatively affected comp sales by approximately 300 basis points.
• Net sales at Walmart International were...