Walmart: Big Change Coming For Illinois Shoppers And Nationwide

Ever since the pandemic, we've seen the CEOs of several really big companies step up to make an "important announcement." Far too often, that important announcement has been that the company is going to close a few, some, a lot, or all of their stores to try to keep the company afloat.

Sure, Walmart has closed some of their stores here in Illinois and around the country over the past couple of years due to underperformance or rampant shoplifting (also known as "losses"), but the announcement by Walmart's CEO, Doug McMillon, in his annual letter to shareholders last Thursday is not about closing any stores at all.

However, it could very well result in less people walking through the doors of their nearby Walmart store.

According To A Recent Report, 93 Percent Of Americans Have Access To Food Delivery, And Over 50 Percent Of Americans Have Ordered Groceries Online For Delivery

Walmart didn't achieve the level of success it currently enjoys by ignoring trends and not listening to what its customer base really wants, and it appears that by all measures, we want more things delivered to our door--and in a timely manner, too.

So, that's exactly what Walmart plans to do.

According to Doug McMillon's letter to Walmart shareholders, quick and easy delivery is what Illinoisans and the rest of the country want, and that's what we're going to get:

We’re moving with speed. By the end of this year, in the U.S., we’ll deliver to 95 percent of the population in under three hours. In China and India, hours have become minutes. We’re building a smarter, more flexible, more intelligent and automated supply chain that supports both our stores and our eCommerce business. There is more change happening in our supply chain than I’ve ever seen. My first job with Walmart was working in one of our warehouses, and seeing what our team is doing today is mind-blowing. We’re doing the things we used to dream about.

In their annual report, Walmart said their eCommerce sales hit $121 billion, with 8.3 billion units being delivered the same day or next day.

Walmart also saw its revenues grow 5.1% and its operating income 8.6% in the fiscal year that ended on January 31st, a 27% increase in its advertising business, and a 21% rise in membership income.