Web helps Walmart beat expectations
NEW YORK — Walmart is reporting better-than-expected profit and revenue for the first quarter with rebounding online sales.
Revenue at Walmart stores opened at least a year rose a solid 2.1 per cent, the company said Thursday.
It’s an encouraging report from Walmart as it searches for solid footing in a rapidly changing environment which includes a dominant Amazon.com that is encroaching online and in some cases, just down the street.
A mixed picture has emerged for retailers this quarter with economic indicators show an economy that continues to gain momentum. Unemployment is at a 17-year low and wages are rising, even if stubbornly
Macy’s, citing the economic rebound and an aggressive push to revitalize its brand, put up its second consecutive quarter of rising sales at established stores this week. But J.C. Penney, still scarred from a disastrous attempt at its own revival a few years ago, floundered. It cut its outlook for the year Thursday as it trims sending to offset declining revenue. Nordstrom will release its quarterly report later Thursday.
Walmart, while spending more on its workers to improve the in-store experience, is building fewer big stores and expanding online. It wants to harmonize its growing portfolio of online services with its 4,700 U.S. stores, which could be an advantage while taking on Amazon.com
“Competition in retail remains acute on all fronts, and we believe Walmart is well-positioned to thrive against all competitors in this environment,” said Moody’s Lead Retail Analyst Charlie O’Shea.
Since buying Jet.com for more than $3 billion nearly two years ago, Walmart has continued to buttress its presence online, acquired brands like Bonobos and ModCloth. It has vastly increased the number of goods its sells outside of its stores.
It’s also strengthening delivery to make shopping at Walmart even more attractive. In March, Walmart said it would expand same-day delivery to more than 40 per cent of U.S. households, or 100 metro areas by the end of the year.
Walmart is reworking its website with a focus on fashion and home furnishings. The new site also makes it easier for shoppers to see what services are available, such as the ability to order groceries online, and pick them up on the way home. It has also teamed up with Lord & Taylor to create dedicated space on its site, which will be launched in the next few weeks.
Online sales rose 33 per cent in the first quarter, a strong showing after a disappointing 23 per cent increase in the final quarter of last year.
Wall Street punished the company for the end-of-year performance online, sending company shares plunging more than 10 per cent. It was the biggest single-day percentage drop for shares in 30 years. Marc Lore, CEO of Walmart’s U.S. online business, told reporters on a call Thursday it’s seeing 10 per cent to 20 per cent more growth going to online grocery business.
Walmart expects 40 per cent growth in online sales this fiscal year, but it’s a distant second to Amazon.
Amazon.com Inc. has leveraged its Prime membership program into intense loyalty from customers. Amazon recently raised its annual fee for membership to $119, from $99.
And after spending $14 billion to acquire Whole Foods last summer, Amazon announced twohour delivery from the grocery chain.
While it fights off rivals at home, the world’s largest retailer is expanding abroad, concentrating on areas with big growth potential like India and China.