Attention, shoppers! Walmart makes groundbreaking announcement that could reshape the U.S. supermarket industry
Walmart’s CEO, Doug McMillon, has announced a bold plan to offer ultra-fast deliveries to nearly all Americans by the end of 2025.
Doug McMillon, the CEO of Walmart, stated that the retailer intends to offer ultra-fast deliveries of products to almost all Americans by the year 2025. This announcement is part of the retail giant's plan to develop their e-commerce capabilities and increase their investment in technology with automation and artificial intelligence.
McMillon mentioned there are targets for the company to deliver to a selected 95% of the U.S. population within 3 hours by the end of this year, which signifies an enormous shift in the companies operational roadmap for customer service and logistics in the U.S.
Walmart is confirming the use of AI by the end of 2025
"We're moving quickly," Doug McMillon, Walmart's president and CEO, said in a letter to shareholders last month. "By the end of the year, we will be able to reach 95% of the U.S. population under three hours."
McMillon explained that the retail behemoth, which produced $121 billion in e-commerce sales last year, is ramping up its delivery operations by investing in technology, including automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
"We're utilizing technology like never before," McMillon said. "We are mixing in today's technology, such as AI, automated storage solutions, and much more to serve our customers in every possible manner, from e-commerce, to curbside pickup, or entering our stores or Sam's Clubs."
"Becoming more convenient for our customer coupled with our low prices and expanding e-commerce assortment is what is driving our business," he said.
These comments came after Walmart announced its annual financial report, where total revenue increase 5.1% between February 2024 and January 2025.
Walmart and their position on Trump's tariffs
With import tariffs being imposed by President Donald Trump to broadly increase tariffs, including a 145% tariff on incoming goods from China, Walmart's main supplier, he noted that there are challenges that come with an evolving economic environment.
But despite, he added, "While I know we're not insulated from the effects of today's changing environment, I like our position. Because I wouldn't trade places with anyone else because of our people, our culture, our unique assets or our flexibility."
