Walmart Stock Price, News & Analysis

Walmart will now cover 100% of college tuition and books for its associates through its Live Better U (LBU) program, eliminating the previous $1 a day fee. This initiative benefits around 1.5 million associates by allowing them to pursue degrees or trade skills without incurring education debt. Walmart is investing nearly $1 billion over the next five years to enhance career training and development. New offerings include in-demand degree programs in business administration, supply chain, and cybersecurity, alongside partnerships with four academic institutions.

Walmart announces its Walmart Wellness Day on July 24, inviting customers to access free health screenings and resources at over 4,700 pharmacy locations nationwide. This event aims to address the delayed healthcare experienced by 41% of Americans during the pandemic, offering services like glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings. Walmart focuses on accessibility for underserved communities and provides affordable immunizations, including no-cost COVID-19 vaccines. The event marks the return of in-person wellness services after a shift to virtual during the pandemic.

Walmart has partnered with Justice to expand its tween apparel offerings, launching a back-to-school collection featuring over 140 items, now available at affordable prices. The collaboration allows Justice's trendy apparel, accessories, and home goods to be sold in 2,400 Walmart stores and online. Items include leggings starting at $8, sweatshirts from $13, and bedding sets priced between $20-$40. This strategic move aims to attract young consumers and enhance Walmart's fashion assortment as they continue to provide quality style at value pricing.

Symbotic has partnered with Walmart to transform the retailer's regional distribution network by implementing advanced automation technology. Since initiating their collaboration in 2017 at the Brooksville, Florida center, the two companies will now outfit 25 additional regional sites. This effort aims to enhance Walmart’s supply chain efficiency and training opportunities for employees, ultimately improving customer service and reducing costs. The move reflects Walmart's commitment to modernizing its supply chain amid evolving consumer demands.

Sam's Club is piloting a new feature called Scan & Ship™, enhancing its Scan & Go™ technology to enable direct-to-home orders. This program allows members to scan items in-store and have them delivered, targeting large products that require larger vehicles. The app has seen significant growth with 9.6 million downloads and a 4.9 star rating. The pilot involves three locations, including an innovation lab, to gather member feedback. Sam's Club continues to innovate with features like Curbside Pickup and the new demo option for non-app users.

Open Call 2021 saw over 900 small U.S. businesses pitch products to Walmart and Sam's Club, the largest event yet. Out of these, 167 products advanced for potential deals. Walmart is committed to investing $350 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next decade, aiming to create 750,000 jobs and reduce CO₂ emissions by 100 million metric tons. The initiative includes the 'American Lighthouses' program, focusing on textiles first, to tackle production barriers. Businesses can also sell their products online through Walmart's platforms.

Walmart has partnered with Ibotta to launch a new digital offers program on Walmart.com and the Walmart app, enhancing its cash back rewards offering. Customers can now access hundreds of cash rebates on popular products, furthering Walmart's commitment to Every Day Low Prices. This initiative expands their 2018 relationship and enables rebates to be applied directly to customers' Walmart accounts. Additionally, Walmart will join the Ibotta Performance Network, allowing cash rebates across various third-party platforms, enhancing customer engagement and driving sales.

Walmart has launched 'Find-a-Future,' a platform designed to assist veterans and military spouses in achieving their career goals. Users can register for free, audit skills, and connect with resources for job opportunities, education, and entrepreneurship. This initiative builds on Walmart's previous commitment to hire 250,000 veterans, having employed over 49,000 veterans and 27,000 military spouses in 2020. The platform aims to enhance economic opportunities for veterans through partnerships with various organizations.

Walmart has launched the first-ever private brand analog insulin, ReliOn NovoLog®, aimed at improving diabetes care accessibility. Offered exclusively in Walmart pharmacies, the product features vials priced at $72.88 and FlexPens® at $85.88, delivering savings of 58% to 75% compared to branded alternatives—translating to up to $101 off per vial and $251 off FlexPens®. This initiative responds to the financial struggles faced by many patients, particularly in underserved communities, enhancing Walmart's commitment to affordable healthcare solutions.