Walmart has announced a new technology-driven team that is tasked with expanding its digital-commerce services. The store’s global chief digital officer, Martin Lorentzon, announced that home-improvement retailer Home Depot is now joining Walmart’s white-label e-commerce platform. The news is the first big win for Sam’s Club’s Fulfillment by Walmart (FBA) service that the retailer launched in 2017.

Starting in late August, both companies will cooperate and support a FBA program within their home-improvement stores that will allow customers to order online using both Walmart and Home Depot storefronts and then have their packages shipped through the FBA service. The two companies will also share warehouse facilities and customer data.

The agreement offers a big boost to Walmart’s efforts to dominate online retail and e-commerce.

“By sharing data and operating together we will be able to offer a better customer experience and to keep pace with a growing consumer base who are shopping online and in stores,” Lorentzon said in a statement. “This partnership gives us a real opportunity to enhance our e-commerce experience, and combined with our store platform, we can deliver a seamless shopping experience.”

Lorentzon cited data that showed that online sales have shot up by 40 percent within the last 12 months and that 3 of 4 buyers in the United States are visiting Walmart’s site.

“Home Depot is one of the most respected home improvement retailers in the world and we’re very excited to be a part of Walmart’s business,” he said.

The company was clear that the deal with Home Depot will not affect Walmart’s own online operations, which the company has continued to grow, including Walmart.com.

Read the full story at Recode.

Related

Walmart lost 2.1 million people this year, but CEO says it’s ‘safer’

Walmart invests more than $40 million in manufacturing jobs

Why online shopping is about to change again

Leave a Comment