Walmart CEO Says Near-Term Execution is Critical
In opening remarks at the company's 20th Annual Meeting for the Investment Community, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. President and CEO Mike Duke says that the company is focused on near-term execution to grow comp sales in Walmart U.S., improve returns in Walmart International and leverage expenses for the full year. At the same time, he says the company is making substantial or, in some cases, even "step-change" progress in key areas, including leverage initiatives, capital discipline, e-commerce, compliance, talent recruitment and corporate responsibility.
"We have delivered consistent growth and returns to shareholders for many years, and we will continue to do so," says Duke. "No matter what environment we're in — today, a year from now, or five years from now — we are driven to win. And we're never satisfied at Walmart until we do."
Focus on Near-Term Execution
Acknowledging the challenging retail environment, Duke says, "We're in a tough and unpredictable global economy. The competition is also tough. And the holidays are right around the corner — raising the stakes even further on serving customers and delivering on performance. All of this is to say that near-term execution is critical for us."
Duke discusses the priority of growing comp sales at Walmart U.S. He says, "When you go to our stores, you're going to see fantastic new merchandise, aggressive investments in price through lots of rollbacks and better in-stock levels. We're focusing on execution to deliver results."
Duke also discusses returns in Walmart International, saying the company could improve "even in places where we're already doing well." Duke says that the division recently assessed its portfolio and made important strategic decisions on current operations. "These actions, combined with capital discipline and e-commerce investments, will deliver a solid framework for future growth and improved returns," adds Duke. "Walmart International is a great business that we are only making stronger."
Duke then turned to a company-wide goal he set at the annual investors' meeting two years ago: reducing operating expenses as a percentage of sales by at least 100 basis points over five years. "We made progress on that goal last year, and our goal is to deliver leverage again for this fiscal year," says Duke.
Substantial Progress in Key Long-Term Areas
Highlighting the long-term areas where the company is making progress, Duke starts by saying that investments in leverage initiatives are paying off around the world. For example, the U.S. logistics team is reducing shipping costs and increasing transportation efficiency, a single process initiative is generating significant savings in labor productivity in China, and the company has migrated all but one market in Latin America to its Costa Rican Shared Services Center. Duke adds, "We're driving costs out of our system so we can invest those savings into lower prices for Walmart customers."
Duke says the company is "much more streamlined in how we make real estate decisions and invest capital." He highlighted the stronger performance of new stores and progress in bringing down the cost to build, expand and remodel stores.
Duke says he "loved the progress that the company has made in e-commerce over the past year. The biggest opportunity we have is winning the intersection between physical and digital retail around the world. We've never been more connected across the company on e-commerce, and our results demonstrate this." In the first half of the year, Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 30 percent globally, including a strong performance at Yihaodian in China.
As the company has discussed previously, Walmart has made major investments in compliance over the past year. Its focus has been on better processes and procedures, increased training for associates and strengthening organizational leadership. "This is the right thing to do," Duke says. "And let me be clear that our progress with compliance makes us a stronger business for the long-term. Compliance is an essential part of our growth strategy."
Turning to Walmart's 2.2 million associates worldwide, Duke highlighted that global associate engagement scores are currently at their highest mark ever, the company has hired more than 16,000 veterans in the United States in less than six months, and some of the best talent anywhere is excited about joining Walmart. "I feel better than ever about our talented associates and the career opportunities we provide at Walmart," says Duke. "The quality of the leaders we're recruiting is just incredible."
Duke also says that he was very pleased with the work the company has done to make a difference on big issues around the world. "We've only accelerated in the past year -- with our commitments on renewable energy, to reduce certain chemicals in products and to help revitalize manufacturing in the U.S," says Duke. "We set the pace for how companies take on big issues facing society, and we'll keep leading because it's good for our business."
Winning in Any Retail Environment
Duke closes his opening remarks by sharing his overall view on Walmart's global business and where it's headed: "Even in a tough and unpredictable economy, there is strength in our businesses around the world. We're making substantial progress in areas that are the foundation for long-term growth and shareholder returns. And whether I'm meeting with the leadership team in the Home Office, or walking stores and clubs in any market, I see a team that's disciplined, focused and executing on the fundamentals. Walmart will win."
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"We have delivered consistent growth and returns to shareholders for many years, and we will continue to do so," says Duke. "No matter what environment we're in — today, a year from now, or five years from now — we are driven to win. And we're never satisfied at Walmart until we do."
Focus on Near-Term Execution
Acknowledging the challenging retail environment, Duke says, "We're in a tough and unpredictable global economy. The competition is also tough. And the holidays are right around the corner — raising the stakes even further on serving customers and delivering on performance. All of this is to say that near-term execution is critical for us."
Duke discusses the priority of growing comp sales at Walmart U.S. He says, "When you go to our stores, you're going to see fantastic new merchandise, aggressive investments in price through lots of rollbacks and better in-stock levels. We're focusing on execution to deliver results."
Duke also discusses returns in Walmart International, saying the company could improve "even in places where we're already doing well." Duke says that the division recently assessed its portfolio and made important strategic decisions on current operations. "These actions, combined with capital discipline and e-commerce investments, will deliver a solid framework for future growth and improved returns," adds Duke. "Walmart International is a great business that we are only making stronger."
Duke then turned to a company-wide goal he set at the annual investors' meeting two years ago: reducing operating expenses as a percentage of sales by at least 100 basis points over five years. "We made progress on that goal last year, and our goal is to deliver leverage again for this fiscal year," says Duke.
Substantial Progress in Key Long-Term Areas
Highlighting the long-term areas where the company is making progress, Duke starts by saying that investments in leverage initiatives are paying off around the world. For example, the U.S. logistics team is reducing shipping costs and increasing transportation efficiency, a single process initiative is generating significant savings in labor productivity in China, and the company has migrated all but one market in Latin America to its Costa Rican Shared Services Center. Duke adds, "We're driving costs out of our system so we can invest those savings into lower prices for Walmart customers."
Duke says the company is "much more streamlined in how we make real estate decisions and invest capital." He highlighted the stronger performance of new stores and progress in bringing down the cost to build, expand and remodel stores.
Duke says he "loved the progress that the company has made in e-commerce over the past year. The biggest opportunity we have is winning the intersection between physical and digital retail around the world. We've never been more connected across the company on e-commerce, and our results demonstrate this." In the first half of the year, Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 30 percent globally, including a strong performance at Yihaodian in China.
As the company has discussed previously, Walmart has made major investments in compliance over the past year. Its focus has been on better processes and procedures, increased training for associates and strengthening organizational leadership. "This is the right thing to do," Duke says. "And let me be clear that our progress with compliance makes us a stronger business for the long-term. Compliance is an essential part of our growth strategy."
Turning to Walmart's 2.2 million associates worldwide, Duke highlighted that global associate engagement scores are currently at their highest mark ever, the company has hired more than 16,000 veterans in the United States in less than six months, and some of the best talent anywhere is excited about joining Walmart. "I feel better than ever about our talented associates and the career opportunities we provide at Walmart," says Duke. "The quality of the leaders we're recruiting is just incredible."
Duke also says that he was very pleased with the work the company has done to make a difference on big issues around the world. "We've only accelerated in the past year -- with our commitments on renewable energy, to reduce certain chemicals in products and to help revitalize manufacturing in the U.S," says Duke. "We set the pace for how companies take on big issues facing society, and we'll keep leading because it's good for our business."
Winning in Any Retail Environment
Duke closes his opening remarks by sharing his overall view on Walmart's global business and where it's headed: "Even in a tough and unpredictable economy, there is strength in our businesses around the world. We're making substantial progress in areas that are the foundation for long-term growth and shareholder returns. And whether I'm meeting with the leadership team in the Home Office, or walking stores and clubs in any market, I see a team that's disciplined, focused and executing on the fundamentals. Walmart will win."
Related Articles:
Walmart Builds Up Online Fulfillment Network
Walmart Pinpoints Economic and Customer Insights
Walmart Celebrates its Associates
Walmart Makes Dramatic Sustainability Commitments