Key takeaways from Walmart Associates Week
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Digital shelf labels are up and running at the north Fayetteville Walmart Supercenter. Photo: Alex Golden/Axios
Walmart leaders highlighted the company's plans to increase its use of AI and technology at Walmart Associates Week, its annual Northwest Arkansas gathering of employees from all over the world.
🍌 A new scanning tool at self-checkout will recognize produce and prompt customers to confirm what it is and how many there are. Previously, customers had to scan a barcode or look up the item and then weigh it.
- The tool is available at about 30% of stores, and the company plans to offer it in half of stores soon, checkout experience vice president Christyn Keef said during a press tour of the north Fayetteville Supercenter.
🏷️ The company has also been rolling out digital shelf labels — battery-powered price tags that can be updated all at once with the press of a button.
- This ensures more accurate pricing and keeps employees from having to walk around the store changing prices while customers are shopping, said Todd Peterson, Walmart's vice president and regional general manager for the New York metro. If prices need to change, they will be updated overnight.
- The labels are in more than 2,300 stores and are planned for all U.S. stores by the end of the year, said Brooks Forrest, vice president of associate tools.
🤖 The company announced Thursday a new AI certification program for all U.S. employees through OpenAI. The program will cater to employees' specific jobs and goals, according to information shared by Josh Allen, Walmart's group director of learning strategy.
🛍️ AI is going to help Walmart assist the customer, who historically has had to do the work of shopping to find what they need, said Tracy Poulliot, executive vice president of U.S. eCommerce. The company has spent the last few months upgrading the intelligence of Sparky, its AI shopping assistant for customers, senior vice president of AI shopping Sean Scott said Wednesday.
🗳️ Zoom out: Shareholders on Thursday voted in line with the Walmart board's recommendations.
- Shareholders rejected investor proposals including requests for a report on how U.S. immigration policy and enforcement are affecting operations; a report on workplace health and safety governance; a report on the effect of AI and automation on the workplace; and a change to the board's voting process to give shareholders outside the Walton family more influence.
- Shareholders approved all company-backed proposals, including electing 11 directors, ratifying Ernst & Young as Walmart's independent accountant, and approving an executive compensation framework.
🎈 What's next: Associates Week continues Friday with its annual celebration at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.