US retail giant Walmart is getting some big changes this year. The US retailer giant introduced a new in-store returns service called Mobile Express Returns. The new service is the latest step in the company’s ongoing effort to continue to build out its e-commerce business to better compete with Amazon.
According to TechCrunch, the Bentonville-based company announced a new service aimed at its archrival Amazon. The company is introducing a new in-store returns service that will speed up the return process for the item sold and shipped by Walmart.com.
What the new service will bring to the customers
As mentioned earlier by CNBC, the newly announced Mobile Express Returns service will arrive next month and will roll out to all of the company’s 4,700 stores in the US. And by next year, the new service will expand to include third-party sellers on the company’s online marketplace, Walmart.com. However, the company confirmed that it has no plans to add Jet.com to the new in-store return service
Walmart hopes that the newly introduced service will ease the returning process to the stores. People who made some online purchases and then need to return them can do so by starting the return process on the Walmart mobile app. The app will generate QR code for the said transaction, and then after that, they can walk into a physical Walmart store to return or exchange the items they purchased online, the TechCrunch reported.
The whole process will only take around 35 seconds or less, according to Walmart. In addition, in some cases like with bulky items, customers can simply keep them and still get a refund.
This is not the first time Walmart has tried to introduce returns service for online items. But the new system will feature more improved process that will work much faster and easier than the previous one.
About Walmart
Founded in 1962 and based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart is the world’s largest company in terms of revenue ($480 billion in 2016 ) and also the largest private employer in the world with over 2.3 million strong employees. It also the largest grocery retailer in the US and one of the world’s most valuable companies in terms of market value.
Additionally, Walmart also owns and operates the Sam’s Club, a chain of warehouse clubs that sell general merchandise and groceries.
The company currently operates around 11, 695 stores in 28 countries. It has a big presence in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Chile. The company’s primary competitors in the North America market include Amazon, Kmart, Kroger, Ingles, Shopko, Target, Aldi, Meijer, Winn Dixie, Giant Tiger, The Real Canadian Superstore, Soriana and Commercial Mexicana. It also competes with Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
In addition to its vast network of physical stores, Walmart also maintains a huge online presence to compete against e-commerce player like Amazon.com. Currently, the company is beefing up its online presence, making some big additions and strategic acquisitions.
