Walmart ecommerce sales soar

Spurred by major gains in its online business and modest gains in its stores, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced on Tuesday its 10th-consecutive quarter of rising comparable U.S. sales, with a 1.8 percent fourth-quarter sales increase triggered by a jump in traffic of 1.4 percent. Ecommerce growth at Walmart U.S. soared, with sales and gross merchandise volume (GMV) rocketing 29 percent and 36 percent, respectively.

Walmart’s acquisition of Jet.com last August has impacted its online sales. In terms of private label, Bloomberg news reported Tuesday that Jet.com is now offering Walmart’s own brands, including Great Value, Equate and Sam’s Choice now that Walmart’s and Jet’s online fulfillment centers have been linked.

“We’re moving with speed to become more of a digital enterprise and better serve customers,” said Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon in a statement. “We had a very solid fourth quarter, with U.S. comp sales growth of 1.8 percent and U.S. ecommerce GMV growth of 36 percent. Our international business is consistently delivering solid sales growth in constant currency, and Sam’s Club posted its best comp sales growth of the year. … We have more work to do, but I’m pleased with our progress.”

Walmart operates 11,695 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries.