Dive Brief:
- Walmart Data Ventures, the retailer’s business data applications arm, introduced Scintilla In-Store, a tool that provides store-level data to assist supplier field representatives, the retailer announced Monday.
- With Scintilla In-Store, users can view data and metrics as well as access various tools and supplier-assigned tasks in an enhanced app. Field representatives can use the platform to resolve issues in real time and keep items in stock.
- Scintilla In-Store is formerly known as Volt, and builds on Volt Systems, which was acquired by Walmart in 2022.
Dive Insight:
Scintilla In-Store is the future of third-party retail execution at Walmart, according to the company.
“Scintilla In-Store is more than an upgraded app experience or a new name,” Walmart said in its announcement. “Walmart Data Ventures is building a future where every field representative is guided by real-time insights, enabling them to focus on what matters most and complete tasks with greater efficiency and speed.”
Scintilla In-Store builds on Scintilla, a separate platform that provides first-party insights to users.
Walmart has been upgrading infrastructure elsewhere in its supply chain. Walmart CEO John Furner recently said that the company’s supply chain capital investments will “probably peak this year and next,” with a focus on boosting automation.
“Technology-enabled productivity benefits are critical to our ability to grow our core omni-business at lower marginal cost,” CFO John David Rainey said during a February earnings call.
The big-box retailer reported its Q4 revenue rose 5.6% year over year to $190.7 billion, while operating income jumped 10.8% to roughly $8.7 billion. Global e-commerce sales surged 24%, primarily due to its third-party marketplace and store-based fulfillment.
