News Briefs

Walmart has unveiled a suite of tools and initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of its Marketplace sellers.

At the company's annual Let’s Grow! Walmart Marketplace Seller Summit, Walmart introduced new AI-powered tools and seller incentives to help sellers grow faster, operate more efficiently and reach more customers. It also announced expanded next-day delivery in major metros and enhanced omnichannel opportunities — including showcasing Marketplace items in-store.

Walmart Fulfillment Services, which stores and ships products for the chain's third-party marketplace sellers, is now offering expanded next-day shipping across key U.S. cities — including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta. The next-day deliveries will begin with some of the most popular items on the e-commerce platform, reported Bloomberg. 

Walmart is bringing its extended Marketplace aisle (introduced in the chain’s Cypress, Texas location) into stores, starting with a few items on display. Customers can purchase the featured items through the Walmart app and also have the items professionally installed.

The retailer is also introducing new incentives to help sellers compete during the peak shopping season and win more business including. These include:

• Zero percent referral fee on all qualifying toys;
• Fifty-percent referral fee reduction on all qualifying pet supplies; and
• Up to 100% referral fee reductions reductions on qualifying top-selling items across categories.

“Walmart has become one of the fastest-growing eCommerce platforms by focusing on what matters most: integrity, seller success and delivering exceptional experiences for customers,” said Manish Joneja, senior VP, Walmart U.S. Marketplace and Walmart Fulfillment Services. “Everything we’re building — from smarter tools to expanded fulfillment and global reach — is designed to accelerate seller growth and empower sellers to serve customers while driving their businesses forward.”

 For more on Walmart's new seller capabilities and tools, click here.

Walmart is investing to advance automation, increase fulfillment speed to customers and reduce packaging waste in its next-gen fulfillment centers.

The retail giant will install Ranpak AutoFill systems across its five next-generation fulfillment centers in a move to streamline its fulfillment process, reduce packaging waste and simplify work for associates. 

The system, when paired with Ranpak’s Decision Tower, is a fully automated solution for void filling and box closing that leverages AI-powered machine vision technology to precisely measure voids. This enables the optimal amount of paper filler required to protect products during shipment, significantly reducing waste and shipping contents damage while improving throughput.

Walmart currently uses Ranpak AutoFill machines at its fulfillment center in McCordsville, Ind.  The upcoming deployment will include the retailer’s centers in Greencastle, Pa.; Joliet, Ill.; Lancaster, Texas; and Stockton, Calif.  

By streamlining the end-of-line packaging process, the AutoFill solution allows Walmart to ship customer orders faster by removing another step in an already streamlined process. It also allows fulfillment center associates to focus on fulfilling orders more efficiently for customers.

“At Walmart, we are constantly seeking solutions that increase speed of service for our customers and simplify work for our associates,” said Vik Gopalakrishnan, senior VP of automation engineering at Walmart. “Ranpak’s Autofill system offers us a meaningful way to reduce packaging waste and get our products into our customers’ hands faster.”

The largest omnichannel hair color retailer in the U.S. is enhancing its visibility into customer behavior and market performance.

Sally Beauty, which specializes in hair color and care products, is building on a partnership it launched with retail measurement and consumer analytics firm NielsenIQ (NIQ) in 2022. 

[READ MORE: Sally Beauty becomes data analytics provider]

That collaboration supports a strategic data sharing and licensing program allowing Sally Beauty brand partners to measure comprehensive online and offline sales, as well as determine effective pricing and promotion strategies.

Now, Sally Beauty is also deploying the NIQ Full View Measurement and Expanded Omnishopper solutions in an effort to obtain a more holistic view of modern beauty consumers.

Founded in 1964, Denton, Texas-based Sally Beauty operates more than 3,700 stores worldwide.

Save A Lot has tapped an insider as its new chief executive.

The discount grocer said that Bill Mayo, current COO, is promoted to the role of CEO, succeeding Fred Boehler who has stepped back from management of day-to-day operations. Boehler, who has served as Save A Lot CEO since October 2023, will remain active in an advisory role to both Mayo and the board of directors over the coming months.

Mayo joined Save A Lot in March 2024 and was promoted to COO in October 2024, with oversight of the merchandising, marketing, new business development, sales and retail operations teams. Prior to Save A Lot, he spent 29 years at Wakefern Food Corporation, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S. 

“As I step back from daily management of the Save A Lot business, I’m confident that Bill is the right leader to help steer the company through to its next phase of growth,” said Boehler. “Bill has played a key role in resetting the company’s go-forward strategy and reclaiming Save A Lot’s value and retail leadership as both a wholesaler and an operator. I will be thrilled to watch the team’s continued success as the initiatives we’ve launched gain momentum.”

Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated discount grocery store chain in the U.S., with approximately 700 stores in 30 states.

[READ MORE: First Look: Save A Lot debuts new Hispanic-focused store concept]

“The Save A Lot Board of Directors is grateful to Fred for his leadership, first as a member of the board and more recently as CEO. His continued work as an advisor will be invaluable,” said Mike Motz, chairman of the board. “We are also excited to expand our collaboration with Bill, who has demonstrated over the last 18 months strong expertise in both wholesale and retail. He will be a tremendous partner for the board and for Save A Lot Retail Partners alike.”

Walmart Canada is extending a digital "buy now, pay later" partnership to its stores.

Walmart Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of Walmart Inc., is rolling out in-store payment solutions from Klarna across its network of more than 400 stores. The retailer launched the Klarna buy now, pay later solution on its e-commerce site and app in 2023.

Now, Walmart Canada shoppers can use Klarna to pay in-store via QR code at assisted checkout lanes, choosing between the pay in full option for a seamless one-time payment or pay in 4 to split purchases into four interest-free installments for purchases more than $50. 

"At Walmart Canada, we strive to be Canada’s most trusted omnichannel retailer, and that means catering to our customers’ needs – no matter how they choose to shop with us," said Joseph Godsey, chief growth officer at Walmart Canada. "We’re always looking for innovative ways to enhance the shopping experience and provide more flexibility and convenience for our customers."

To leverage Klarna payment options, Walmart Canada customers can scan a QR code displayed on the POS screen at checkout with their mobile device. In March 2025, Klarna became the exclusive provider of buy now, pay later loans for purchases at Walmart in the U.S.

[READ MORE: Klarna to be exclusive buy now, pay later provider to Walmart]

"As Klarna continues to bridge digital and physical retail, we’re proud to collaborate with Walmart Canada to bring smarter, more flexible ways to pay to millions of shoppers," said David Sykes, chief commercial officer at Klarna. "This milestone reflects our ambition to be the everyday spending partner for consumers—everywhere and for everything."

Aldi wants to celebrate and thank its 25 most loyal customers — but it must find them first.

Through Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, the rapidly-expanding discount grocery chain is inviting its shoppers to apply for membership in the first-ever Aldi Quarter Club, a group of 25 “Super Fans.” 

Once inducted, Aldi Quarter Club members will receive prizes including one year's worth of free groceries for an individual, an exclusive invite to a members-only event in the grocer's headquarters city of Batavia, Ill., merchandise such as a custom varsity jacket, and a chance to be featured on Aldi's social media channels.

"Our fans are a key part in fueling Aldi growth, and they're a huge, special part of the Aldi story,” said Dave Rinaldo, COO, Aldi U.S. “Their passion goes well beyond grocery shopping; it's a way of life. The Aldi Quarter Club is our way of honoring that loyalty and deepening our connection with those who have helped shape Aldi into what it is today."

The club name is a nod to the quarter that unlocks Aldi shopping carts. To apply for membership, Aldi customers can answer the question: "What is the boldest move you've made in the name of Aldi that sets you apart as a Super Fan?" 

Entries must be 200 words or less and can include up to two photos. No purchase is necessary.

[READ MORE: Aldi holds contest for chance to get married — all expenses paid — in store]

Aldi U.S. plans to open more than 225 new stores in 2025 as part of a five-year growth plan, and previously announced a goal to reach 800 new stores by 2028. With a total store count of more than 2,400, Aldi is the third-largest U.S. grocery chain by store count.