At the company’s 47th annual shareholders’ meeting, Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO Doug McMillon said the retailer had begun inventing the future of shopping “again.”
Among other initiatives, the company will leverage technology to empower associates and improve the customer experience.
In outlining a vision for the future, McMillon said Walmart intends to stay ahead of competitors in a changing environment by providing the best prices and great merchandise, while saving customers time and creating a fast, easy and enjoyable shopping experience.
Walmart last week announced a trial that would have store employees deliver store items to customers to improve “last mile” delivery. The just-initiated trial pays participating store associates to deliver customer packages on their existing commute home from work, which could boost the retailer’s reach into suburban and rural communities.
“Together, we’re building a new Walmart,” McMillon told more than 14,000 Walmart employees at the Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AK, Friday, from across the U.S. He told the gathered workers that Walmart would prepare them with the latest tools and training to help them serve customers and grow in their careers.
“We’re going to make shopping with us faster, easier and more enjoyable,” McMillon added. “We’ll do more than just save customers money and you, our associates, will make the difference. Looking ahead, we will compete with technology, but win with people. We will be people-led and tech-empowered.”
