Walmart

Walmart has added another online asset to its battle against Amazon.   The chain announced it has acquired Moosejaw, an outdoor retailer know for its social media marketing expertise and strong online following among younger consumers, for approximately $51 million.    The acquisition, which closed on Feb. 13, is Walmart’s second acquisition in less than two months. In late December, the chain’s Jet.com unit acquired online footwear retailer ShoeBuy.    

Despite an earlier report to the contrary, Walmart is not combining its online and store buying functions.   Reuters had reported that the discounter was combining its online and store buying operations as it moves to make itself more competitive with Amazon. The report was picked up by numerous media outlets.   Based on information from Walmart, however, the chain is not merging the stores and walmart.com buying teams. The two will continue to operate as two separate teams.  

Target soon won’t be the only discounter to feature an in-store Chobani Cafe.    The popular Greek yogurt brand will open a 2,000-sq-.ft. café at Walmart’s new supercenter in the Houston suburb of Tomball, reported the Houston Business Journal. The store is scheduled to open on Feb. 15.  

When it comes to securing their online data, Americans have more confidence in online marketplaces than traditional retailers.   Fifty-four percent of Americans who shop online trust online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon, with their financial information, according to a report by Blumberg Capital. In contrast, only 33% of consumers trust established retail brands such as Walmart, Gap, Target, and Macy’s.    

Wal-Mart Stores keeps upping its investment in JD.com.   The discounter has increased its stake in the Chinese online company to 12.1%, (worth about $4.87 billion), from the 10.8% stake it had in October, and the 5.9% stake it had in June of last year, according to a report by Business Insider.  

Walmart continues to test new store concepts.    The chain has opened a 2,500-sq.-ft. convenience store, complete with a fuel station, in Rogers, Ark., at the entrance of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, The Northwest Arkansas Democratic Gazette reported.   

John Furner, who began his new role as president and CEO of Sam’s Club Wednesday, will focus on three big areas: people, product and digital.   Regarding people: “We need to engage everyone, at all levels of the company, in the fight we’re in. We need to put our members first and have everyone pulling in the same direction,” Furner stated in a blogged interview currently on Walmart’s website.  

Walmart just upped the ante in the home shipping war against its rival, Amazon.    The chain is ending its ShippingPass program, a fee-based, two-day delivery service, in favor of a free two-day shipping program. Shoppers can now order from more than two million items, and have merchandise shipped to their homes or stores without a membership fee.