The app-iest place on Earth... could be your local Walmart. Walmart is redesigning its stores to look like its app, so that shoppers can easily navigate aisles. The redesign will roll out to 200 US stores this year and 1K more by the end of 2021. Walmart's seriously pushing to make its app the main attraction (the store is just there to complement your tappy-taps). It wants you to:
- Download the app before entering (and ideally, delete Amazon's).
- Use it to navigate the store (don't even think about asking Sheryl where the toilet seats are).
- Pay in-app with "Scan & Go" (and/or search for more options).
Having Duty Free flashbacks... Walmart's makeover was inspired by airports since they're "best-in-class" at shepherding large groups of overwhelmed people. Except instead of flying from Paris to Bangkok, you're walking from pears to Instant Pot (Aisle 12). But this is really about Amazon (aka: Walmart's #1 nemesis)...
- More than half of Walmart’s top-spending families are Prime members. That's why the Mart started a $98/year subscription rival (Walmart+) in July.
- Amazon is winning the corona-conomy thanks to its contactless service. Walmart's redesign is meant to get you in and out of stores quickly with minimal contact.
Walmart wants to go everywhere with you... The "app store" concept might help it do that. We rarely see Amazon stores, but we use Amazon to shop 24/7. Walmart wants you to associate it with 24/7 shopping, too. By incentivizing you to get its app for store browsing, Walmart is boosting chances that you'll use it at home, too.