Walmart is preparing for the holidays in a myriad of ways, and in doing so, it has introduced a new deal with Netflix that will result in it incorporating a Netflix Hub with products tied to popular shows on the network including Stranger Things, and it detailed some of the steps it is taking to deal with supply chain challenges.
In a new example of the company partnering with an outside business to establish a product collection, as it did with Justice, Jeff Evans, evp/entertainment, toys and seasonal, Walmart U.S., stated in a blog post that Walmart is establishing itself as an entertaining destination for consumers who have embraced Netflix and its programming. Going forward, shoppers will find a growing Netflix range of mostly music, apparel, toys and games for fan-favorites Nailed It! and Cocomelon, and new shows such as Ada Twist, Scientist as well as Stranger Things.
However, home hasn’t been forgotten even in the limited introductory lineup for fall, which includes a CoComelon 4-piece Toddler Bed Set with Bonus Blanket, retailing at $36.97.
In addition to products, the Netflix Hub will offer shoppers exclusive experiences that engage popular Netflix shows in innovative ways, Evans asserted. Among its plans, Walmart will launch a crowd-sourcing initiative dubbed Netflix Fan Select that will allow fans to vote for merchandise they’d like to see from favorite shows on the network, in effect electing new products.
Meanwhile, Joe Metzger, evp/supply chain operations, Walmart U.S., noted that the retailer is working to minimize disruption, sourcing holiday merchandise earlier than usual, for one thing, and finding ways to move those products inside its supply chain network as quickly as possible. The company also is laying in inventory, Metzger maintained and trying to build up more.
Other actions Walmart is taking include, the company pointed out:
- Chartering ships, as revealed in an August conference call, and diverting shipments through less congested ports
- Rerouting inland shipments, using less conventional transportation methods to avoid rail delays
- Investing in supply associates through wage increases throughout the year, with plans to do so through the holidays to meet growing customer demand
- Hiring more than 3,000 drivers this year, with more recruits in the pipeline.
- Adding 20,000 permanent supply chain positions to help move products through facilities as quickly as possible.
- Promoting and training thousands of supply chain employees this year, with plans to continue as leaders emerge throughout its network
- Adding storage capacity in fulfillment and distribution networks through new facilities
- Expanding automation capabilities in existing facilities to get products from distribution centers to stores faster
- Enhancing delivery capabilities and routing online orders straight from stores
- Hiring 150,000 associates across the country to help customers and fulfill orders emerging from stores
