Walmart Canada rides on e-commerce sales surge 229%

Walmart Canada’s e-commerce net sales grew 229 % during the pandemic , marking an unprecedented year for Walmart’s fastest growth in international markets .

Walmart Canada's net sales grew 8.6 per cent in the 13 weeks ended Jan. 31, thanks largely to strong sales in food and online grocery categories during the pandemic .

Walmart Canada president and CEO Horacio Barbeito said a number of investments made throughout last year helped drive the company's online sales , including investments in people , technology and capabilities.

“ We deployed pickup capabilities in over 70 stores in the first quarter of last year , and now we’re in 300 stores , so customers can order online or pick up in store , ” Barbeito said in an interview .

At the same time, Walmart's platform market has increased the number of third-party sellers and hired 4,500 people to provide services for online sales to cope with the surge in e-commerce .

Walmart Canada is a manifestation of Walmart's blooming in the international market. During the epidemic, Walmart has developed rapidly in all aspects . Next year, Walmart will continue its investment plan and accelerate its development .

Barbeito said the company expects to spend $700 million on new distribution centers and renovate 58 stores in 2021 .

Walmart Canada will also introduce new infrastructure and e-commerce fees for suppliers , but these moves have been condemned by Canada's food industry, agriculture and processing groups. In response, Canada's federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers are studying raising retailer fees for suppliers and will release a report in July.

In addition to increasing investment in e-commerce, Walmart Canada is also seeking new consumption trends and seizing new consumption trends.

“ For example, everyone might buy a laptop or a tablet, which has always been a good category , but compared to the surge in demand last year, sales will gradually return to normal this year. So we will continue to chase other leisure categories that customers are looking for, ” Barbeito said.

Walmart is currently preparing for a potential surge in demand for certain product categories, including outdoor living and fitness . It is expected that outdoor and fitness products will become a new trend in 2021.

Canada

Walmart

E-commerce