Walmart Outlines Growth Strategy at 2023 Investment Community Meeting; Doug McMillon Shares
TAMPA, FL - With a well-laid growth strategy to guide it, Walmart is walking into the future with its sights set on a strong supply chain and global development. The big box chain will detail this strategy at its 2023 Investment Community meeting, where leaders will highlight its goals, methods, and initiatives.
“We are in a unique position to serve our customers and members however they want to shop, which will fuel continued growth,” said Doug McMillon, Walmart President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we grow, we will improve our operating margin through productivity advancements and our category and business mix and drive returns through operating margin expansion and capital prioritization.”
As part of the meeting, Walmart leadership will highlight the company’s purpose, culture, and the importance of its associates, especially as it unveils a plan for a next-generation supply chain. According to a release, the retailer wants to create a more connected and automated supply chain that will improve the experience for its customers and associates while also increasing productivity.
To achieve its supply chain advancements, Walmart is building a more connected omnichannel network that is enabled by greater use of data, more intelligent software, and automation. Together, these factors will improve in-stock, inventory accuracy, and flow for customers shopping in-store or via pickup or delivery.
By the end of fiscal year 2026, Walmart believes roughly 65 percent of its stores will be serviced by automation, and approximately 55 percent of the fulfillment center volume will move through automated facilities. This could lead to unit cost averages improving by approximately 20 percent.
As these changes are implemented, less physical labor will be required, but associates will get a higher rate of pay. Over time, Walmart anticipates increased throughput per person due to automation while maintaining or even increasing its number of associates as new roles are created.
“It all starts with our associates,” McMillon said. “We are a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer. As it relates to being people-led, it’s about purpose, values, culture, opportunity, and belonging. We serve our associates by creating opportunities. Opportunities that turn jobs into careers. We help bring dignity to work by enabling them to see how they’re serving others as part of a team and helping them achieve their potential. And as we serve them, they serve our customers and members well…they make the difference.”
To read more about this strategy, click here.
How will this plan impact Walmart’s standing in the retail sector? Stick with AndNowUKnow for answers.
“As Trinity has continued to grow as a company, we wanted to evolve with the world around us. That being said, we currently refreshed our logo, simplifying and modernizing our look,” comments Angela Hernandez, Director of Marketing. “We are more than a grower, packer, and shipper, and we wanted to pivot the way we have branded ourselves in the past as more of a cross-aisle supplier in the industry.”
“Our initial goals for the logo were to make it clean and simplified but to keep it classy and elegant,” explained Jeri Elsasser, the company’s Creative Director. “We incorporated the three green leaves as our Trinity symbol to show our ag roots. There was a long process with many options before we finally decided, but we knew this logo design was timeless and a perfect fit.”
“With the re-design, we completely reimagined what an ag website could be—and now is,” Jackie Nakashian, Trinity’s Brand Manager, chimed in. “We wrote a new copy, took new headshots, and showcased a modern new layout.”
“I am incredibly excited to join the OPN team and leverage my produce industry experience, relationships, and entrepreneurial spirit to advance the mission of the Organic Grower Summit,” said Schulken. “I look forward to learning and growing alongside OPN leadership, building our portfolio of live-content events and programming, and representing the organic produce community.”
“We are thrilled to have Rachelle join the OPN team and work to grow OGS,” said Matt Seeley, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of OPN. “She brings energy and passion for organic produce that will continue to maximize OPN’s position as the go-to resource in the organic fresh produce industry for information, education, and live events.”
“I am very honored to be the Operations Manager for such a great office. I am looking forward to what our office will do!” commented Purcell, reflecting on his promotion and the role he will play in helping the office grow.
“Since joining the company 10 years ago, Jeff has played a vital role in the success of the Charlotte office,” he said. “His hard work, leadership, and drive have been integral to our growth. We are excited to promote Jeff to Operations Manager, and I am confident he will thrive in his new role.”
“We continually keep our eyes on the market and look for ways to support our retail partners and their customers with programs and products to meet their current needs,” said Kristi Harris, Brand Manager. “Consumers are going to get a great eating experience at a really good value. For example, a small Gala in a bag anywhere from 2.5 lb to 5 lb at a hot price point can produce a nice boost for the category as shoppers reach for an item that they recognize as good for them and their wallets.”
“Energy efficiency is an important focus area for our Better for All Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and we are excited to see the Howell solar array come online,” said UNFI Chief Executive Officer Sandy Douglas. “This newest solar array, coupled with our current LED lighting projects at a majority of our distribution centers are expected to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions year-over-year and represent a milestone on our path to building a food system that is better for our people, communities, and the planet. These efforts are also expected to reduce our operational costs and help us become more efficient, and that’s a positive for our business.”
“We have started a new set on our Arista vine tomatoes that are 100 percent in greenhouses. These vines will help us get through mid-June,” Pedro shared with me. “Romas are still coming in from Culiacán, Sinaloa, but we now have new crop Romas out of Sonora, Mexico, that will get us to the end of May. We do start Roma and cucumber out of Baja in mid-May. We will also be starting a spring melon program as well as a Sonoran table grape program that will run mid-May through mid-July.”
“Floral sales have slowed from the rocketing pandemic trajectory,” said IFPA Floral Director Deb Zoellick. “We encourage members to step away from the day-to-day and find inspiration from these speakers, their peers, and this new IFPA research, which offers the insights they need to 
