Walmart wraps up holiday promotion with omnichannel features
Walmart Inc. is heading into the final two weeks of the holiday shopping season with a number of new offerings that cross customer channels.
The discount giant is providing options for customers finishing up their holiday shopping in-store, on its e-commerce site or mobile app, or via social media. Following are highlights from the latest set of Walmart holiday shopping features:
Omnichannel shipping and returns
According to Walmart, more than half of its fulfillment center volume is now automated, up double from this time in 2023, offering access to next- or two-day shipping on a broader assortment of items. By the end of the year, Walmart expects that roughly 3,000 stores will receive merchandise from automated distribution centers.
[READ MORE: Walmart opens fourth next-generation fulfillment center]
This is enabling the retailer to extend cutoffs for digital purchases with next-day or two-day shipping. Customers can order by 12:30 p.m. local time Mon., Dec. 23 for delivery by Wed., Dec. 25 (Christmas Day).
In addition, customers can place digital orders by noon local time Tues., Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) for in-store same day pick-up and delivery through 4 p.m., or by 4 p.m. local time for express delivery in as soon as 30 minutes. Members of the Walmart+ paid subscription program are eligible for one free express delivery through Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).
And with Walmart’s ‘Holiday Guarantee,’ customers can return or exchange most items sold by Walmart and its third-party marketplace sellers through Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 in-store or curbside. Walmart+ members can make returns directly from their doorstep without a box or return label.
"We're proud of the progress we've made this year in our supply chain transformation," said David Guggina, executive VP of supply chain operations, Walmart U.S. "We’re ensuring customers can count on Walmart having the items they want, when they want them, no matter when they choose to shop this holiday season."
Discounts
Walmart is running a grand finale deals event online and in store, “Last Minute Gifts,” through Dec. 24. See here for a sample list of discounted items.
The retailer also offers a prepared stocking bundle stuffed with small gift items for $25, available for fast pickup or delivery with one click.
Social shopping
Walmart partnered with Google to crerate a series of new digital ambient shopping rooms called "Background Joys," featuring four seasonal scenes: The Chic Chalet, The Technicolor Holiday Party, The Reindeer Flight and the Luke’s Diner in Stars Hollow from the classic TV series "Gilmore Girls."
Each scene features festive music and autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) sounds. Customers can shop directly from YouTube, YouTube TV and Roku by scanning the QR code on the screen. This follows Walmart’s recent holiday update of Walmart Realm, its 3-D virtual shopping environment curated by digital influencers.
Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries.
