Retail Radar: Retailers Release Sales Numbers; Walmart Boosts Efficiency
Path to Purchase Institute members have access to regularly updated retailer profiles, which can be viewed here. Recent news includes Walmart enhancing its logistics.
Click on the linked headlines/text below to read more.
Amazon's Big Spring Sale
The mega merchant is kicking off the season with six days of savings across a number of categories. It is also adding a new generative AI-powered tool that lets sellers add a URL from their own DTC website, and the technology will generate a listing for the seller's Amazon store.
Aldi Springs New Merch
The retailer has released another Aldi Gear collection, this time with men's and women's sneakers, stainless steel tumblers, pet fashions and more.
Walmart Offers Route Optimization
The retailer has added a tool to improve "middle mile" efficiency by helping businesses optimize driving routes, pack trailers more effectively, and leverage weather and traffic data to ensure deliveries arrive on time.
Year-End Financials Flow In
Retailers are releasing their fiscal results, and we are updating their profiles with the latest sales numbers, store counts and more. Some recent news:
- Best Buy: The retailer's sales dipped slightly and it shuttered 27 stores in fiscal 2024, but it also built a handful of outlet centers and Yardbird stores. For fiscal 2025, it plans to update and refresh several stores, focusing on merchandising presentation and rightsizing categories.
- The Home Depot: The home improvement giant reported its 2023 numbers and shared its plans for 2024. That includes opening 80 stores in the next five years, focusing on markets that are experiencing strong population growth or where there are voids. While sales in some merchandising categories may be down, The Home Depot experienced modest growth in building materials, outdoor garden and hardware.
- Target: The mass merchant plans to continue growing its private-label assortment, remodeling most of its stores and using artificial intelligence to better track inventory and predict product needs and demands. In terms of merchandise, it's seeing a slight uptick in sales for its beauty & household essentials and food & beverage categories.
PetSmart Promotes Forever Homes
The retailer's charitable arm is celebrating 30 years of helping find homes for pets with an adoption challenge at all its U.S. locations. PetSmart Charities' longtime official feeding sponsor, Hill's Pet Nutrition, is helping fund the initiative. PetSmart is expanding its Arcadia Trail brand, adding gear handy for camping or nighttime excursions.