Walmart Makes a Surprise Move Amazon Can't Copy

Walmart commits to a new customer service for which Amazon does not yet have an answer.

Walmart  (WMT) - Get Free Report is Amazon’s  (AMZN) - Get Free Report biggest rival and competitor. Both retail giants are always trying to one up the other and that is driving force behind much of the advances both retailers continue to offer. Both Walmart and Amazon offer a way for shoppers to use pictures and artificial intelligence to find a product to purchase. Amazon used the StyleSnap and Walmart uses TrendGetter. Both apps are geared toward making shopping the latest fashion trends quick and easy.

Both Walmart and Amazon offer fast delivery and pick up services. Walmart has held on to the title of faster pick up service with its nearly 5,000 locations across the country. Amazon has quick turnaround on delivery, but it can vary depending on where the product is coming from and if it is stocked in the nearest warehouse. Amazon has dreamed of making drone deliveries and it still testing this new service out.

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Walmart recently launched a new feature, Text to Shop. Convenient shopping lets Android and Apple smart phone users just text what it needed on the grocery list, put it in the cart, and place the order for delivery or pick up. Amazon allows Alexa to be able to help create and track a shopping list, but it isn’t putting items in shoppers' carts and making the purchase yet.

Walmart Makes Futuristic Expansion Promise

Walmart is expanding its services to install new electric vehicle fast-charging stations at both Sam’s Club and Walmart locations nationwide.

“With a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans, we (Walmart & Sam’s Club) are uniquely positioned to deliver a convenient charging option that will help make EV ownership possible whether people live in rural, suburban or urban areas,” said, Walmart’s Senior Vice President and Energy Transformation, Vishal Kapadia. Kapadia continued, “Our goal is to meet the needs of customers and members where they live and open the road to those driving across the country. Easy access to on-the-go charging is a game-changer for drivers who have been hesitant to purchase an EV for concerns they won’t be able to find a charger in a clean, bright and safe location when needed.”

Walmart believes that’s this is an investment in the future of electric vehicles, according to Kapadia. Being able to drive your EV to any Walmart or Sam’s Club across the nation allows families to make Walmart and Sam’s Club a one-stop shop for everyone needing to buy groceries, charge an EV or to grab a bite to eat all in one trip. 

Walmart believes that as more and more consumers make the switch to EVs,  having an already expanded EV charging capacity nationwide will be a big win. 

Walmart Makes its Claim Against Amazon

Amazon cannot yet match Walmart’s new commitment to have an EV charger within 10 miles of 90% of the population.

The EV commitment by Walmart may be futile while the current average price of an EV was just over $60,000, according to the New York Times.  While the average household income for a Walmart shopper is $80,000 annually, according to Business Insider, the income isn't quite there for the average Walmart shopper to be able to afford an EV, but the price is coming down compared to other vehicles.