Walmart has recently provided a cautious forecast for the upcoming year in its latest earnings report. Nonetheless, the company highlighted three key metrics that showcase its growth. The retail behemoth has significantly evolved over the years in response to competition from peers like Amazon and Target. If you think you’re familiar with Walmart, it might be time for a rethink.
While investors reacted lukewarmly to Walmart’s cautious outlook during its fourth-quarter earnings announcement this week, the retail giant shared three compelling statistics that reveal its considerable growth in recent years. Here’s a glimpse at how Walmart is adapting to compete with rivals such as Amazon and Target.
$681 billion in annual sales
This was Walmart’s total sales for the last year—surpassing all companies globally, including Amazon. Even more intriguing, Walmart’s annual revenue has surged by over $121 billion in the past four years, eclipsing the $107.5 billion in revenue generated by Target over the last year. In essence, Walmart has effectively expanded by more than an entire Target since the onset of the pandemic, showcasing its resilience as it actively seeks new revenue streams.
However, there are indications that Walmart may face challenges in maintaining its top position. Amazon has reported that it achieved a stronger fourth-quarter revenue for the first time and is expected to surpass Walmart in sales this year, thanks to its increased focus on AI and cloud services, according to CNBC.
30% of Walmart’s online shoppers pay for faster delivery
The company revealed that nearly a third of its e-commerce customers opt to pay for expedited delivery, receiving items such as groceries and pharmacy prescriptions within a one- or three-hour timeframe. Remarkably, this service was nonexistent a year ago, having been introduced in March. Walmart’s capability to provide this rapid same-day service is primarily supported by its extensive network of over 4,600 stores across the U.S., which are easily accessible to 93% of U.S. households.
“If I could change anything about how we’re perceived today, it would be that more individuals are aware of our extensive online assortment and the accelerating delivery speed,” stated CEO Doug McMillon during the earnings call on Thursday.
4 million developer hours saved
Walmart reported that its AI-driven coding tools and assistants saved developers around 4 million hours last year, a staggering improvement from nearly zero savings the year before. This is just one of the many ways the 63-year-old retailer is evolving into a formidable tech enterprise for the 21st century. With a broadening e-commerce platform, a rising advertising sector, and an increasingly automated supply chain, Walmart is reshaping itself.
“As we enhance productivity and cut down on time spent on routine tasks, we gain the opportunity to develop tools that foster business growth and agility,” McMillon added. With Amazon close behind, the Walmart of 2025 is rapidly becoming more than just your grandfather’s Superstore.
