Walmart’s major grocery moves so far in 2024

From in-store restaurant tie-ups to a new private label, the retailer has ramped up its efforts to stand out as a food destination.

Walmart has been busy this year making a plethora of grocery moves to sharpen its appeal as a food destination. The retailer’s grocery efforts are also currently receiving a national spotlight thanks to the Kroger-Albertsons merger, with the two supermarket chains frequently citing Walmart as a main reason for why they are seeking to quickly gain scale by combining. 

Walmart U.S. has consistently recorded single-digit growth in grocery each quarter since Q1 of fiscal year 2024, when it recorded low double-digit growth in the category. Grocery sales outpaced general merchandise sales during the retailer’s most recent quarter. 

So far this year, Walmart has rolled out a new grocery private brand, made grocery a key part of its store remodels and built up its diverse roster of in-store restaurant partners, from a hoagies chain to a fast-casual model serving up hot dogs and barbecue. 

Walmart’s Neighborhood Market format is adding stores and piloting two new locations with expanded grocery offerings. In March, Walmart named company veteran Kyle Kinnard as the new Neighborhood Market division head.   

On the supply chain front, Walmart has grown its number of milk processing facilities and linked with Swisslog to automate them as well as announced plans to open and remodel perishable sorting and packaging centers. 

Walmart is also giving grocers and other retailers a run for their money online. In the second quarter of 2024, Walmart captured 37% of grocery e-commerce spending — hitting an all-time high for the retailer and outpacing supermarkets and Target, the firms reported in August.

All these changes come at a time when the retailer is embarking on an ambitious five-year growth plan that includes building or converting more than 150 locations by 2029 and remodeling 650 stores in 2024.