Did Walmart Just One Up Amazon?

Just as everyone was getting excited about Prime Day, Walmart announces on its blog, ““We’ve heard some retailers are charging $100 to get access to a sale. But the idea of asking customers to pay extra in order to save money just doesn’t add up for us. We’re standing up for our customers and everyone else who sees no rhyme or reason for paying a premium to save.”

 

So, Walmart plans to offer its own discounted goods as well as lower free shipping minimum order to $35 from $50 which will last “until further notice”.

Ok, so after Walmart took a dig at Amazon, Amazon’s VP of Prime turned around and issues a statement, ““We’ve heard some retailers are charging higher prices for items in their physical stores than they do for the same items online. The idea of charging your in-store customers more than your online customers doesn’t add up for us, but it’s a good reminder that you’re usually better off shopping online.”

Ouch.

But wait, that’s not all. Comments on Walmart blog were decidedly pro-Amazon with several reminding Walmart that it owns Sam’s Club, a member-only warehouse.

So, here in the US, the competition is definitely heating up for online dominance and the winners are going to be not only the consumer but the delivery companies. But, are the delivery companies ready?  There’s no room for error from any delivery company at any time of year of course, but something that is potentially this big, lets just hope Amazon and Walmart have worked and planned with their delivery partners ahead of time. Consumers have become unforgiving and many have long memories.

Suggestion to delivery companies – be sure to bring your A-game.

As for whether Walmart one upping Amazon….Not so sure yet. Let’s wait and see what happens this week.

 

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