Walmart talks tariffs, price increases at annual meeting

Bentonville, Ark. – As the prices lead price higher, Walmart revealed his latest efforts to waken Drone delivery In more cities.

The movements, which the managers of the retail giant announced this week, illustrate how discounter sees growth opportunities even if consumers tighten their portfolios and economic prospects seems troubled.

Walmart, the largest employer and private retailer in the United States, welcomed thousands of hourly employees, store managers, investors and journalists this week during his event from the partners in his hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas and near Fayetteville. The event, the recognition ceremony for employees partly PEP and employees, coincides with its annual shareholder meeting and ends with surprise performance of celebrities and musicians. This year, Jimmy Fallon has developed and post Malone, Camila Cabello, Noah Kahan and the killers played.

Despite the festive atmosphere, it was difficult to eclipse events outside the Arkansas. The celebration came at a time when the prices have Rolled the retail industry,, Increase in forced prices between channels And raised issues about economic growth. Despite this, Walmart insisted that he had the possibility of continuing to win the market for buyers concerned with their income through income, including richer households, offering better articles and more convenience – an effort that he hopes that his new plans will increase.

Walmart’s financial director John David Rainey told journalists on Friday that prices had not changed consumer spending schemes – where buyers pay more for grocery store and hold other items.

“It has been very consistent, and what we have seen in the past year, or even two years, is that consumers spend more in food, and it gives them less money to spend for general goods,” said Rainey, referring to discretionary articles like clothes and toys.

“You can always say that the portfolios are extended, that consumers are always faced at high prices, even if the inflation figures for one year a year are not the headlines of which they had 18 months,” he said.

Rainey warned last month This Walmart should increase its prices due to prices, A remark that aroused strong criticism by the president Donald TrumpWho told the company to “eat prices” An article on social networks.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, has set up the decision to announce price increases.

“We just try to be good retailers,” he said. “And so, when we had the release of the benefits of the first quarter, we wanted to communicate what we see. I think we have the responsibility to do it for shareholders, and I think we did it appropriately.”

McMillon refused on Friday to specify categories or goods where Walmart increased prices, saying that the company “does everything we can to compensate” the costs on imported articles. About two thirds of what Walmart sells in the United States is manufactured, cultivated or assembled in the country.

The grocery store is the majority of Walmart sales in the United States and category A of fine beneficiaries. However, selling more categories of higher margin, such as clothing and interior decoration, can help Walmart compensate for costs of costs or price increases, McMillon said.

While trade tensions are reducing consumers’ feeling, Walmart thinks that new investments can help him win new consumers who have what he considers an obsolete vision of the retailer.

Among the efforts, he plans to Develop drone deliveries At 100 stores in three states in the coming year via Wing Drone Operator Wing. Customers can already obtain drone deliveries in some parts of the northwest of Arkansas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Also from early July, Walmart will wear a new private clothing brand, Weekend Academy. The retailer has designed the new brand, which will start with 65 clothes, shoes and accessory items for Tween Girls and Boys, with most products under $ 15.

Gypsy Jo Dreessner, children’s fashion vice-president for Walmart US, said the brand would land on time shelves for the rear school season. She said it is for Gen Alpha, a young avant-garde client who has fewer options than young children, adolescents and adults.

The Walmart plan to reinvent itself for a new type of customer may have shown the most in an early overview of the advertising campaign shown to employees gathered for the celebration of partners to the Bud Walton Arena of the University of Arkansas.

The television spots, which present the Walton Goggins actors of “The White Lotus” of HBO and Stephanie Beatriz of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, show goods and delivery options of Walmart which could surprise certain buyers.

He wears the slogan, “Who knew?”