Walmart

The nation’s largest retailer is delving deeper into e-commerce and evolving technology with its newest investment.   Walmart has formed Store No. 8, a technology incubator that will be based in the Silicon Valley. (The new initiative is named after an early Walmart store that company founder Sam Walton used to try out new retail strategies.)  

The nation’s largest retailer is ready to put a whole new spin on merchandise fulfillment.   Speed is the name of the game in retail these days, in store and online.   

Walmart continues to grow both its e-commerce and fashion presence.    On Friday, the discounter announced it had acquired the assets and operations of online retailer ModCloth, which specializes in eclectic and quirky apparel and accessories for 18- to 35-year-old women. The company did not reveal the purchase price.  

A fashion blog is reporting that Walmart will acquire an online fashion brand known for its eclectic and quirky styles.   Walmart’s Jet.com division will acquire Modcloth, reported CNBC, which cited the Jezebel fashion blog. The report comes on the heels of Walmart’s acquisition in February of online outdoor apparel brand Moosejaw.    

The bonuses, along with annual pay raises, were included in employees’ March 9 paycheck.   Over the past two years, Walmart has invested billions of dollars in training, education and higher wages. These programs offer associates skills, knowledge and tools to help them grow with the company and provide great customer service during a time of rapid change in shopping habits.  

Asda is making its workforce an enticing offer.   The British supermarket owned by Walmart is offering staff in its stores a 14% increase in their hourly pay if they sign a contract requiring more flexible working, according to Reuters.   The deal requires Asda staff to work in different parts of stores and dif-ferent days or hours, including public holidays. All breaks will be un-paid.  

Walgreens Boots Alliance on Friday named two executives to the chief marketing officer and chief merchandising officer positions, promoting Adam Holyk and Joe Hartsig, respectively, to those roles.   Both will assume their new roles as of April 1 and report to Alex Gourlay, co-COO for Walgreens Boots Alliance.  

An online giant and the world’s biggest retailer claim the top two positions in a study that ranks retail companies by their brand value.   Amazon ranked as the world’s most valuable retail brand in the annual study by valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance. The company’s brand value, $106.4 billion, is nearly double that of Walmart ($62.2 billion), which ranked as the second most valuable retail brand. (An explanation of the ranking is provided at the end of article.)