Walmart is using its physical footprint as an advantage rather than fighting it. Stores become fulfillment centers. Parking lots become pickup zones. The same scale that should calcify them is being repurposed. This is rare: usually physical assets become anchors. Walmart is making them accelerants.
Store managers have real authority. But corporate decisions slower. Doug McMillon pushes speed.
Jet.com acquisition failed but learned from it. E-commerce pivot working. Walmart+ growing.
Bentonville HQ still central but technology enabling store-level intelligence.
4,700 US stores are fixed but also advantage (last-mile fulfillment).
Tech talent improving. But frontline turnover high. Two workforces.
Stores are capex but generate cash. Automation investments ongoing.
Data advantage from scale. Supply chain intelligence. But silos between digital/physical.
"Walmart is using its physical footprint as an advantage rather than fighting it. The same scale that should calcify them is being repurposed."
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