Walmart tracks inventory at scale with Internet of Things functionality
Walmart is integrating Internet of Things devices into its supply chain to obtain a real-time view of pallets at scale.
The discount giant is deploying Wiliot IoT Pixel ambient IoT technology throughout its supply chain. Connecting millions of Pixel devices, which rely on “ambient” power sources such as radio waves rather than batteries for power, to its artificial intelligence supply chain technology, Walmart seeks to obtain real-time insight into exactly what merchandise is owned and where it is at any moment.
Walmart is using IoT capabilities to track pallets at scale, with a goal of reaching 90 million by the end of 2026 while providing a new source of supply chain data for its expanding use of AI in its supply chain.
[READ MORE: Walmart opens fourth next-generation fulfillment center]
“At Walmart, technology is in service of people — both our customers and our associates,” said Greg Cathey, Walmart senior VP of transformation & innovation. “With Wiliot’s ambient IoT technology, coupled with our AI systems, we’re not only optimizing our supply chain to make faster, smarter inventory decisions, but we’re also tackling one of the hardest problems in retail — knowing exactly what we own and where it is at any given moment.”
According to Walmart, its IoT supply chain integration is already making a significant impact by eliminating manual tasks and delivering automated alerts. The retailer said enhanced pallet-level visibility has also helped resolve inventory discrepancies, ensuring smoother operations and improved customer experiences.
The collaborative solution is currently deployed across 500 Walmart locations, with plans for national expansion in 2026. The rollout will cover 4,600 Walmart Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and more than 40 distribution centers. As a result, Walmart seeks to dramatically enhance supply chain efficiency, inventory accuracy, and cold chain compliance.
“With Walmart, we are advancing supply chain performance at an unprecedented scale,” said Tal Tamir, CEO of Wiliot. “This nationwide deployment adds a new layer of digitization to Walmart’s supply chain, empowering associates with real-time insights and automation that drive greater efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness.”
Walmart is not a stranger to IoT technology. The discounter has managed temperature, operating functions and energy use in stores using a network of connected IoT devices since 2021, and also leverages IoT to help monitor temperature levels in the smart coolers used for its InHome grocery delivery service.
Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart operates 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
