Walmart reported 12% second-quarter ecommerce growth, up 18% vs. 2020, as it gained market share in grocery and passed 1 million deliveries for its GoLocal service that provides last-mile service for other retailers including Home Depot, with inflation helping attract more upscale shoppers. The result was better than at rival Target.
Nearly six months after doing so in the U.S., Amazon is increasing the cost of Prime in the UK and Western Europe by up to 43%, as it too battles inflationary pressures and higher operating costs. German Prime members will see a 30% increase, with a 20% bump in the UK; Spain, Italy and France will see annual increases between 39%-43%.
UPS reported higher-than-expected first-quarter earnings, even as domestic volume declined for the second consecutive quarter, as its pricing strategy and focus on profitable business over volume continues to pay lucrative dividends during the ongoing ecommerce boom. SMB and B2B growth continue to be strong.
Target CEO Brian Cornell piled on superlatives when discussing Q4 and 2019 results, including six consecutive years of 25%+ growth in ecommerce sales. Same-day (order pickup, drive up and Shipt delivery) accounted for more than 80% of Target’s Q4 comparable digital sales growth of 20%, compared to 1.5% overall comp growth.
Ecommerce home furnishings giant Wayfair increased its fourth quarter sales 40.6% to $1.99 billion, but saw its Q4 net loss balloon to $143.8 million, nearly doubling the $72.8 million loss from the same period in 2017. The company accentuated the positive, emphasizing its holiday season and flash sale performance to analysts.
Macy’s Inc. reported a 1.1% decline in net sales for the second quarter, from $5.6 billion to $5.5 billion, with comp sales inching up just 0.5% and double-digit online sales in the same period. Mobile sales via the Macy’s app were up 50%+ in the first half of 2018. See how Macy’s did in other areas of its business.
