Walmart Supercube Project Gets Green Light

Walmart Canada today announced it will proceed with the second phase of its Supercube project and releases preliminary results following completion of phase one. The objective of the pilot is to ensure compliance with all safety requirements; validate cost saving projections; and assess whether use of the Supercube will allow the retailer to reduce the environmental impact of its logistics and transportation operations.

The Supercube is a 60-foot 6 inch trailer combined with a snub-nosed truck and drome box that allows the retailer to ship over 40 %  more merchandise compared to a standard 53-foot tractor – trailer combination. Designed and built in Mississauga, Ontario, the Supercube trailer was developed in partnership with Innovative Trailer Design.

“I am extremely pleased with the results we are seeing so far,” said Andy Ellis, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain & Logistics at Walmart Canada. “We have confirmed that this truck will allow us to deliver the same merchandise using fewer trucks, in less time. This means faster delivery of merchandise to stores, less fuel, lower emissions and lower maintenance costs,” added Ellis.

“Based on the early success of our pilot project we hope to begin adding additional Supercube trucks to the fleet as early as next spring,” new linksaid Michael Buna, Senior Transportation Manager at Walmart Canada. “On the long term, we estimate that this truck could be used in up to 40 % of our delivery routes.”

This project is part of Walmart Canada’s strategic productivity initiative, Operate For Less, which requires the company to permanently reduce operational expenses by over $100 million annually. Operate for Less is about reducing costs, allowing the retailer to reduce prices and help customers save money.

The second phase of the project will see the retailer make improvements to the existing truck in order to improve load and unload times and will begin work to extend the Supercube fleet. Walmart has four Supercube trucks on the road today.

For their tremendous efforts driving sustainable innovation in the transportation sector, Andy Ellis and Michael Buna were recognized by Canada’s Clean50, an organization that recognizes 50 individuals or small teams who have made the greatest contributions to sustainable development or clean capitalism in Canada.

“We are incredibly proud of the vision, perseverance and innovative spirit that Andy and Michael have shown as they continually seek to improve our logistics operations,” said Shelley Broader, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. “This is a project that has the potential to benefit the retail industry as a whole, and ultimately all Canadians.”

On successful completion of the pilot project, Walmart Canada hopes to roll out the Supercube in all regions across Canada over the next five years. Walmart Store Inc. is also looking into the potential use of the Supercube for its U.S. logistics operations.

trailer
Note that the supercube requires fewer trips for the same merchandise, however, it requires more time to load and unload.

Beyonce surprises fans at Walmart

Some Walmart shoppers got more than they bargained for when Beyoncé turned up for a surprise visit.

The superstar stopped by a Tewksbury, Mass., Walmart on Friday night, where she greeted fans and did a little holiday shopping. In her cart? A copy of her new self-titled album and a baby doll for Blue Ivy.

Queen Bey even got on the store's loudspeaker and offered to pay the first $50 of every customer's holiday shopping.

"It's Beyoncé! And I stopped by the store today because my record has arrived," she said. "I want to give everyone a gift. For everyone in the store right now, the first $50 of your holiday gifts are on me. Merry, merry Christmas from Beyoncé!"

The store handed out a total of 750 $50 gift cards enclosed within envelopes that read, "Happy Holidays from Beyoncé."

Bringing Holiday Hope to New Hope

New Hope is an organization that serves children who have one or both parents in prison. In the state with the highest percentage of women in prison, their mission is to break the cycle of generational incarceration, one child at a time. The children in this program range from 5 – 18. Walmart brought the holidays to these children. We surprised each of the 200 children with gifts from their personal Christmas wish list, clothing essentials, coats and groceries.  We also surprised the organization with supplies to assist with program activities - including various art supplies, sporting equipment and camping supplies. In addition, New Hope received 25 tablets and computers to help students with their homework as previously, volunteers of the program were lending their personal computers.

Walmart Ready To Open First Stores in Washington D.C

Walmart will open its first two stores in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 8:00 a.m.
The new stores will provide access to a full grocery selection, fresh produce, bakery, delicatessen, organic food items, full-service pharmacy and $4 prescription program, as well as a broad assortment of general merchandise including apparel and electronics.
The company is hiring approximately 300 associates for each store. Walmart provides a benefits program to eligible full- and part-time associates. For example, it provides a variety of affordable health and well-being benefits including health-care coverage with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers eligible associates matching 401(k) contributions of up to 6 percent of pay, discounts on general merchandise, an Associate Stock Purchase Program and company-paid life insurance. Additionally, eligible associates receive a quarterly incentive based on store performance.

Walmart Turns Up Holiday Heat

Holiday shoppers don’t have to wait until Black Friday to start shopping for deals at Walmart. At 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, Walmart will kick off a pre-Black Friday savings event in stores and online, lowering the prices on popular toys and electronics, to match select Black Friday offers from Target, Toys R’ Us and Best Buy one week early.
Beginning today, the retailer also extends its Christmas Ad Match* to Walmart.com customers. Customers who purchase an item on Walmart.com, and find a lower price in a local brick and mortar competitor. The same policy is in place for customers at Walmart stores for items purchased Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, excluding Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.

“Black Friday is our Super Bowl and we plan to win,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S. “With six fewer days from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the retail environment is more competitive than ever. Every opportunity to get a great deal – whether this weekend, on Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday weekend – matters for our customers. When it comes to price, we’re going to deliver for them.”

On Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and any of their shopping trips, customers can take advantage of the everyday ad match policy* available at Walmart stores. If a customer spots a lower price on an advertised item, and comes into a Walmart store during the same day and time that the competitor’s ad is valid, Walmart will match the price at the register.

Walmart’s official Black Friday events will take place at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The retailer will offer 21 one-hour guarantee items, “Manager Specials” and more hot deals than ever on the season’s top gifts. Starting early on Thanksgiving morning, customers can shop on Walmart.com for some of the Black Friday deals that will also be available in stores. Customers can also take advantage of hundreds of online specials on Thanksgiving and Black Friday while supplies last.