Walmart's Mixed Bag: Delivery Expansion, Legal Woes, and a Cautious Economic Outlook

In today's news roundup for Walmart Inc. WMT, we cover the retail giant's efforts to expand its online pickup and delivery services, a pending lawsuit for alleged ADA violations, and the company's cautious outlook on consumer spending due to inflation and other economic pressures.

Walmart Expands Online Pickup and Delivery Options: 

Walmart is stepping up its game in the online pickup and delivery sector. The company is extending its Express Delivery service until 10 p.m. for orders placed by 9:30 p.m. 

This move aims to offer speed and convenience to customers, especially for last-minute needs. 

The service promises delivery within 30-90 minutes of ordering. Walmart also offers On-Demand Delivery for same-day service, allowing customers to choose their preferred delivery time. Read more here.

Lawsuit Over ADA Violations: 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Walmart, alleging that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act at its Olathe, Kansas store. 

The lawsuit claims that Walmart failed to accommodate two deaf employees who were hired as overnight stockers. 

It marks the third time this year that Walmart has faced a lawsuit from the EEOC for alleged ADA violations, highlighting the labor risks for the company. Full details here.

Inflation and Consumer Spending: 

According to a report by Deloitte, holiday sales in the U.S. are expected to grow at their slowest pace in five years. 

Walmart expressed caution last month about consumer spending in the latter half of the year, citing factors like the restart of student loans, rising gas prices, and high interest rates as potential pressures on its profit margins. More on this here.

Disclaimer: This article was developed with the aid of artificial intelligence and Ultima Insights and underwent an editorial review.