WALMART BOOSTS BOTS, FULFILLMENT CENTERS

Walmart is increasing the number of its stores that will serve as local fulfillment centers, condensed modular automated warehouses built within a store or added to a store. Tom Ward, Walmart’s senior vice president of customer product, said the retail giant is planning dozens of locations with more to come. Some stores also will add automated pickup points where automated bots retrieve items from throughout the fulfillment centers.

SUE OGROCKI/ AP