Walmart is accelerating its investment in automated supply chain technology as it looks to improve inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, and support its growing e-commerce business.
Speaking at an investor meeting, Walmart US CEO John Furner said that more than half of the company’s distribution centres are currently undergoing automation retrofits.
By the end of 2024, 65% of Walmart stores are expected to receive inventory from these high-tech facilities, according to a previous company update shared with Supply Chain Dive.
Last year, Walmart implemented automation at two regional distribution centres in Arizona and Arkansas and ramped up its use across the grocery network. Automated forklifts were also introduced at sites in Florida, Texas, New York, and Alabama.
Beyond cost savings, Furner emphasised that automation is improving accuracy and speed, key metrics for both physical store operations and Walmart’s e-commerce business.
Currently, more than half of online customer orders are routed through these advanced distribution centres.
Walmart is also exploring the next frontier in supply chain tech: agentic artificial intelligence.
Still in the early stages of deployment, these AI-powered digital agents are designed to replicate the complex environments within Walmart’s stores and logistics network to support better decision-making.
“They can help us understand local-level demand and shorten deployment times,” Furner said, highlighting the potential for AI to further enhance responsiveness and efficiency across the company’s vast retail footprint.
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