Publications
Publications
- December 2019
- HBS Case Collection
Walmart Ecommerce (A): Picking up the Pace
By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Karen Elterman
Abstract
This case is an abridged version (part 1 of 2) of "Walmart's Omnichannel Strategy: Revolution or Miscalculation?" HBS Case No. 720-370. The (A) case discusses Walmart's early forays into online retail, as well as improvements made under Doug McMillon beginning in 2014. The case describes Walmart’s physical stores, delivery options, grocery business, online marketplace, and distribution system. It also discusses the ecommerce startup Jet.com, which Walmart was considering purchasing in 2015. The case poses these questions: How could Walmart best use its existing resources to compete against major ecommerce players like Amazon? Should it focus on its in-store business, build up its web-to-store capabilities, or compete head-on with pure ecommerce players in web-to-home sales? Alternatively, should it consider an omnichannel strategy, attempting to grow all these aspects of the business at once?
Keywords
Acquisition; Strategy; Online Technology; Distribution; Distribution Channels; Competitive Strategy; Retail Industry; Bentonville; Arkansas; United States
Citation
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon, and Karen Elterman. "Walmart Ecommerce (A): Picking up the Pace." Harvard Business School Case 720-425, December 2019.
