Here's why Walmart isn’t just digitising its supply chain, rather it’s re-engineering time itself

As AI reshapes the retail landscape, Walmart is quietly building something extraordinary across its business, according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.

In a LinkedIn post, he noted that the retailer has begun implementing IoT tags from Wiliot across its ambient temperature supply chain, while also rolling out the use of electronic shelf tag technology from VusionGroup in its stores.

In addition, Walmart is piloting an IoT fresh supply chain project with VusionGroup led by Thaddeus Segura (Senior Vice President of Product).

Ladd commented: “Thaddeus and VusionGroup provided me with a demo of the technology and a detailed review of the project with Walmart. I was impressed. I have supported Wiliot since the company was founded in 2017, and I have recommended it to many retailers. These initiatives are part of Walmart’s broader digital transformation - but they’re not isolated projects. They’re connected.”

It has also inked a $5 billion deal with Symbotic to broadly deploy micro-fulfillment automation across stores - more than 400 systems initially with hundreds more to come. And it recently partnered with OpenAI, allowing customers to shop Walmart and Sam’s Club directly inside ChatGPT.

So what’s really happening here? Walmart isn’t just digitising its supply chain. It’s re-engineering time itself, Ladd argues.

“I have stated for ten years that the primary impact of AI on a corporation will be the acceleration of velocity across the enterprise - this is especially true for large global corporations like Walmart. The faster information moves, the faster execution must occur - and Walmart is building the architecture to make that possible,” he said.

“ChatGPT captures intent - customers telling Walmart what they want in real-time. Wiliot and VusionGroup provide sensing - every pallet, case, and shelf becomes a data node. Symbotic delivers action - high speed robotic execution that turns AI decisions into physical movement. Walmart is piloting Symbotic's next-generation micro-fulfillment systems in Q1 2026. If the pilot is successful, Walmart and Symbotic will work feverishly to install MFCs across Walmart's network of stores.”

He added: “And Walmart’s Supply Chain Intelligence (SCI) platform ties it all together — continuously learning, optimising, and predicting what happens next. This is the foundation of the Cognitive Supply Chain - a living, self-aware ecosystem that thinks, senses, and acts at machine speed. What Walmart is creating is more than operational excellence. It’s a model for how AI, IoT, and robotics converge to create retail at the speed of thought.”

Ladd. concluded: “Walmart’s ultimate advantage won’t be size. It will be velocity - the ability to move from customer intent to product in motion instantly. That’s the future of supply chain. That’s Supply Chain Intelligence. I remain critical of the companies that fail to understand that their supply chains and the legacy systems they're using were designed for another era - an era when AI didn’t exist. Your supply chains are obsolete.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

AI will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.