The largest retailer of the world Walmart is depending on technology to attract more customers and a larger share of the gift budgets of customers this holiday season by the introduction of technology driven faster check out at its stores as well as allow consumers to navigate the stores more easily through the use of digital maps that will show consumers the exact locations of products, announced the retailer on Tuesday.
Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer at Walmart said that the company is quite satisfied with the amount of inventory it has in stock. There was a drop in its online sale during the festive season last year last when the company had piled on more holiday merchandise such as electronics, toys and gifts but fell short on stocking enough everyday items.
The plans for the November and December holiday shopping season were announced by Walmart at a media briefing. For every retailer, these two months are very critical because this is the time that they hope to make a significant portion of their annual sales and profits.
Walmart said that consumers would be able to avoid the long check out queues at payment counters with the help of its new "Check out with Me" feature that will give consumers the opportunity to make payments for purchased items at the product department itself where they make the purchases.
A larger range of toys, electronics, fashion and home products would also be stored by the company in its stores as well as on its redone website. The company hopes that its newly made website would be able to boost its sale.
Scott Hilton, chief revenue officer, Walmart e-commerce, U.S., told the media that more than 2000 brands have been added to the online channel of Walmart. He said that the there would be a variety of content on its website and would include a new deals hub, gift guides and the monthly Ellen's List from talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
For all online orders over $35, free two day shipping would also be offered by Walmart, the company announced. This list would include the millions of items that the company sells directly to shoppers as well as the products that are sold by its third-party marketplace sellers.
This announcement by Walmart was preceded by a similar announcement by rival Target Corp last week where the company assured free two-day shipping on items that are purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 22 and there would be no bar on the minimum order or membership.
Walmart had said in August that the range of toys ay its stores as well as online, had been significantly increased keeping in mind the holiday season. The online range of toys was enhanced by about 40 per cent while 30 per cent increase was made for the collection at the stores.
Following the collapse of ToysRUs, Walmart has permanently expanded space to stock toys in 235 stores this year, said Bratspies.
(Source:www.economictimes.com)
Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer at Walmart said that the company is quite satisfied with the amount of inventory it has in stock. There was a drop in its online sale during the festive season last year last when the company had piled on more holiday merchandise such as electronics, toys and gifts but fell short on stocking enough everyday items.
The plans for the November and December holiday shopping season were announced by Walmart at a media briefing. For every retailer, these two months are very critical because this is the time that they hope to make a significant portion of their annual sales and profits.
Walmart said that consumers would be able to avoid the long check out queues at payment counters with the help of its new "Check out with Me" feature that will give consumers the opportunity to make payments for purchased items at the product department itself where they make the purchases.
A larger range of toys, electronics, fashion and home products would also be stored by the company in its stores as well as on its redone website. The company hopes that its newly made website would be able to boost its sale.
Scott Hilton, chief revenue officer, Walmart e-commerce, U.S., told the media that more than 2000 brands have been added to the online channel of Walmart. He said that the there would be a variety of content on its website and would include a new deals hub, gift guides and the monthly Ellen's List from talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
For all online orders over $35, free two day shipping would also be offered by Walmart, the company announced. This list would include the millions of items that the company sells directly to shoppers as well as the products that are sold by its third-party marketplace sellers.
This announcement by Walmart was preceded by a similar announcement by rival Target Corp last week where the company assured free two-day shipping on items that are purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 22 and there would be no bar on the minimum order or membership.
Walmart had said in August that the range of toys ay its stores as well as online, had been significantly increased keeping in mind the holiday season. The online range of toys was enhanced by about 40 per cent while 30 per cent increase was made for the collection at the stores.
Following the collapse of ToysRUs, Walmart has permanently expanded space to stock toys in 235 stores this year, said Bratspies.
(Source:www.economictimes.com)
