Walmart has taken a slightly different approach to digitization and competition with Amazon. While its building its online competitiveness it also is seeking to improve delivery service. They are going to deliver your product in 2 hours or less. That is pretty fast and that will change some of the landscape of delivery if it is able to connect small business and consumers more closely.
We should expect these delivery times to improve as as the digital technology creates efficiencies in the supply chain and allows them to manage these many smaller deliveries on a more macro scale. If they extend this to smaller manufacturers that may give them also an outlet for their products (I will have to see how to add mallets.)
Thus, instead of criticism of hurting small business within an area they could consider being a conduit for those products and services that are unique but may have wider appeal beyond Walmarts shelf and into a more global offering. In other words, they can help build local brands. See Homegrown Brands.
The other advantage is that if Walmart works well with small businesses they can keep the premium advantages from their distribution process. The local delivery abilities matched with a strong truck fleet that moves products from region quickly is a strategic approach the company is likely trying to maintain.
You can check out the site at Express Delivery
You may also want to read, 'Walmart announces GoLocal, a last-mile delivery service for other retailers' by Sarah Perez
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