Everyday low price Walmart strategy helped the firm escalate its third-quarter sales and attracted shoppers looking for fair cuts and convenient spending.
This third-quarter sales growth raised the outlook of the retail giant and its shares rose to 4 percent in premarket trading on Tuesday.
What is Walmart’s financial performance in the third quarter?
Walmart’s financial performance is marked by a net income of $4.58 billion or 57 cents per share for three months ending on 31 October. When compared to its previous net income, which was $453 billion or 6 cents per share during the last year, Walmart’s net income Q3 has grown a massive growth graph.
The hit strategy, EDLP Walmart, supported it in gaining 5.5 percent sales, accounting for $169.59 billion; a great rise from one year ago number, which was $160.8 billion. It has easily beaten projections made by market analysts.
Details of Walmart’s third-quarter sales success
Comparable store sales of Walmart, which include both online and in-store for the past 12 months, saw a rising graph as well in the United States. It was an evident jump from 3.8 percent (first quarter) and 4.2 percent (second quarter).
An interesting feature of Walmart low cost strategy is its broad-based strength that is applicable to its all categories, both physical and digital channels the company confessed.
Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart’s e-commerce growth experienced 27 percent surge as compared to 21 percent in the second and first quarters of the same year.
Consumer spending, inflation, and government policies
Walmart understood thoroughly the holiday shopping season outlook and capitalized well on it. It knew that people were looking to ‘shop till they drop’ and for that, EDLP Walmart strategy is the best answer for consumer spending trends 2024 like online shopping, average order value, loyalty and rewards, buy now and pay later, spending with relevance to income and cross-shopping, etc.
Industry experts predicted that consumers want to spend more this year despite the sales did not to be meeting last year’s spending levels in the United States.
Post-pandemic inflation impact was observed with 20 percent inflation, which, when compared with the prices three years ago, gave an overall outlook of the American economy and its people’s spending. It was a solid reason for the US voters to ask for Donald Trump again in the White House.
Several US citizens complained about how inflation and household budgets have constrained their spending. Still, strong spending continued despite great US economic growth drivers and gave a boost to the US economy.
Retail sales grew by 0.4 percent from September to October, which was a huge increase from the previous month’s sales, told by the Commerce Department on Friday.
Walmart would also have to look into Trump’s proposed tariffs impact. Trump has pledged that he would put a 60 percent tariff on all goods imported from China and 20 percent on all goods imported from the rest of the world.
What are Walmart’s fiscal year projections?
Walmart’s fiscal year projections include earnings per share ranging from $2.42 to $2.47. It would be an increased figure from August’s projections, which were $2.35 and $2.43.
According to FactSet, industry analysts foresee it to be $2.45 per share.
What is Walmart low cost strategy?
EDLP Walmart strategy has been the winner all the way since its low prices on a wide range of everyday goods have won its customers. It has helped in keeping low operational costs and a better-optimized supply chain.
Its in-house brands like Great Value and Equate give cheaper alternatives to other brands for which customers hail everyday low price Walmart strategy.
What is Walmart’s strategy for success?
One-stop shopping for every petty need that the customers have is the best aspect of the everyday low price Walmart strategy. From needles to furniture of the house, Walmart’s strategy has won hearts for years.
EDLP Walmart strategy has the lowest prices that customers, even if wanted to, could never find anywhere else. It has not only attracted customers but also built trust and loyalty. It is a tailored shopping experience for every customer according to their preferences so that with their increased engagement and satisfaction, they could save more.
This is what Walmart has been winning limitlessly. With the Walmart Rewards program, they get additional savings each time they shop and even for their future purchases.
Walmart low cost strategy is boring but reliable. The idea of ’economies of scale’ was first introduced by Adam Smith in the late 19th Century but Walmart has been applying it for years now.
Big retail companies like Walmart can easily cut their costs and offer customers the lowest possible prices by negotiating better prices with their suppliers, utilizing their facilities, and lowering prices on the distribution side.
With inflation on the rise, even affluent consumers have started shopping at Walmart so that their household spending remains within budget, a model that even Amazon could not fully copy, and has proven solid after decades.
Wrapping Up
Walmart hasn’t made any drastic changes to its low-cost strategy since it wanted to rely more on its tried-and-tested model, which has worked wonderfully in every era. It seems a viable and relevant strategy that has proven a great survival gambit over the years.
It is an excellent learning experience for other retailers who should not go after shiny or innovative approaches and adopt a more cautious business tactic if they are looking for a long-term stay in the market.
FAQs
1. What is Walmart’s financial performance in the third quarter of 2024?
Walmart reported a net income of $4.58 billion, or 57 cents per share, for the three months ending October 31, 2024. This marks a significant increase from $453 million, or 6 cents per share, during the same period last year.
2. What is the “Everyday Low Price” (EDLP) Walmart strategy?
Walmart’s EDLP strategy focuses on maintaining consistently low prices across a wide range of products. This approach builds customer loyalty, minimizes operational costs, and offers affordable options, including in-house brands like Great Value and Equate.
3. How much did Walmart’s third-quarter sales grow?
Walmart’s sales rose 5.5% to $169.59 billion in the third quarter, compared to $160.8 billion in the previous year. Comparable store sales in the U.S. grew by 5.3%, demonstrating strong performance across physical stores and digital platforms.
4. How did Walmart’s e-commerce sales perform?
Walmart’s global e-commerce sales rose by 27% in the third quarter, outperforming its 21% growth in the first and second quarters.
5. What role does consumer spending play in Walmart’s growth?
Despite inflation and constrained household budgets, consumer spending remained robust. Walmart capitalized on the holiday shopping season and provided affordable shopping options, driving its success in both physical and digital sales.