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Walmart, Microsoft team up to take on Amazon
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Walmart said Tuesday it was entering
into a strategic partnership with Microsoft on “digital transformation” for
the onetime retail industry leader.
The move is aimed at helping Walmart compete better against Amazon, which
is taking a growing share of retail sales in the United States and globally.
The two firms said the partnership was focused on using artificial
intelligence and other technology tools to help manage costs, expand
operations and innovate faster.
“Walmart’s commitment to technology is centered around creating incredibly
convenient ways for customers to shop and empowering associates to do their
best work,” said Walmart chief executive Doug McMillon, Walmart CEO.
Microsoft’s business cloud computing platform known as Azure will help
Walmart manage operations ranging from refrigeration and air conditioning to
improving its supply chain and transportation.
“The world’s leading companies run on our cloud, and I’m thrilled to
partner with Walmart to accelerate their digital transformation with
Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.
Walmart is already using Microsoft services for some applications and will
expand that to tap into Microsoft’s machine learning, artificial
intelligence, and data platform, according to the statement.
Earlier this month, the research firm eMarketer said Amazon’s surging
growth would enable it to capture 49.1 percent of US online retail sales this
year, up from 43.5 percent.
Amazon is far ahead of online rivals like eBay, with 6.6 percent of
ecommerce, and Apple, at 3.9 percent, according to eMarketer, which estimated
Walmart’s share at 3.7 percent.
According to the research, Amazon now controls nearly five of the total US
retail market, including online and offline.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1958 hrs