AP Exclusive: Walmart US CEO talks tech, workers
131 views · Published 24 November 2018 · 2:17 · Indexed 25 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(15 Nov 2018) Nats beeps IN THE RACE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY DOLLARS.. BIG BOX RETAILERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE GIVING SHOPPERS MORE REASONS AND WAYS TO SPEND THEIR MONEY. SOUNDBITE Greg Foran, CEO Walmart US: "There's no doubt that anything that you can do that takes friction out for a customer is a win." THE LESS FRICTION, THE EASIER IT IS FOR SHOPPERS LIKE SYLVIA ROSAS TO MAKE A PURCHASE SOUNDBITE Sylvia Rosas, shopper: "It gets me to what I want when I want faster." SHE USED A WALMART SMART PHONE APP TO FIND GIFTS FOR HER CHILDREN IN THE NEWLY EXPANDED TOY SECTION… SOUNDBITE Sylvia Rosas, shopper: "You can find out how much it is, is it online only or in the store." WALMART IS BETTING BIG ON TECHNOLOGY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. GREG FORAN, THE CEO OF WALMART U-S, GAVE THE A-P AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR OF ONE ITS TECHNOLOGY FORWARD STORES IN HOUSTON— AND SHOWED HOW FAST THEY CAN RESTOCK INVENTORY. nats- conveyor belt whirring SCANNING ROBOTS HELP THE RETAIL GIANT KEEPS TABS OF WHATS ON OR NOT ON ITS SHELVES IN REAL TIME. FORAN SAYS THIS HELPS PUT EMPLOYEES IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS SO THEY CAN PAY DIRECTLY AND SKIP LINES. AND IF THAT'S TOO MUCH OF A HASSLE, THERE ARE PICK UP KIOSKS SOUNDBITE (English) Greg Foran, CEO Walmart US: "They want an experience that's completely seamless. Sometimes they'll come to the store, sometimes they'll order online." THE SAME STRATEGY APPLIES FOR THIS SMALL BUSINESS OWNER-- SOUNDBITE (English) Beatrix Bell, Small Business owner: "It's just all sorts of fun stuff that locals and tourists like to buy" BEATRIX BELL IS TRYING TO PROVIDE HER CUSTOMERS THE IN-STORE AND ONLINE EXPERIENCE. SOUNDBITE (English) Beatrix Bell, Small Business owner: "When you go to an e-commerce site managed by the actual artist, you get personalized service just as if you've come into the gift shop and buy it in real life." THE NEW ORLEANS JEWELRY DESIGNER GEARED UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS OVER THE SUMMER BY STOCKING UP ON INVENTORY. SOUNDBITE (English) Beatrix Bell, Small Business owner: "Amazon is taking a cut from everyone and you have to be creative and think outside the box and come up with new ways to reach customers." CREATIVITY AND CONVENIENCE… SOUNDBITE (English) Greg Foran, CEO Walmart US: "I'm excited looking at all these customers down the aisle here shopping." SOMETHING BOTH SMALL AND BIG RETAILERS KNOW THEY NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAY SEASON. JOHN MONE ASSOCIATED PRESS HOUSTON. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7f90bb227fb24b646244556668d9b11f
