by Cameron Smith
Some days it seems the only constants in the world of retail are change and Walmart. In a slower economy, Wal-Mart continues to fare well. But with over 100 million consumers in the U.S. shopping its stores every week, Walmart must continue to reinvent itself to ensure it is creating a pleasant shopping experience.
Right now Walmart is seeking more in-depth market, category and consumer insights to support a major shift in the merchandising organization.
Suppliers will need to adapt to keep pace.
- Providing insights Walmart expects as it develops strategies going forward will be key to strong supplier relationships and influence with Walmart.
- Leaner teams mean CPG managers will require unparalleled technical expertise balanced by fact-based selling skills.
- Job descriptions for analysts and category advisors will continue to evolve rapidly as Walmart makes substantial changes to how they evaluate POS and shopper insight information.
- Attracting and retaining talent with the experience and skills to adapt to these new business rules is essential.
It all comes down to recruiting and retaining the best people.
Cameron Smith & Associates has earned the reputation as experts and trusted advisors to the Walmart supplier community. We are uniquely positioned to keep pace and even anticipate changes to Walmart’s expectations of suppliers to help your company achieve cutting-edge results. Our business is connecting the best people, the best companies and the best resources in Bentonville and beyond.
Best-in-Class Resources
CPG Diagnostic: Tighter hiring restrictions and the need for CPG firms to reduce risk on how analysts and category advisors actually perform in the trenches inspired the launch of CPG Diagnostic. “Connecting the dots” is an essential skill category managers use to assemble the puzzle of disparate data sources. CPG Diagnostic delivers an evaluation of frontline team members’ abilities and finally allows companies to rank candidates accurately and objectively on key skills before making critical hiring decisions.
8th & Walton: 8th & Walton is a Bentonville-based supplier development company offering services and solutions for organizations to do business better with the world's largest retailer. High performers with experience working inside Walmart and within the supplier community teach tools essential for doing business in Bentonville.
Connect with the Best and Brightest.
Walmart will move forward to meet consumer needs whether every supplier can keep pace or not. Successful teams will need agility, speed and talent. Let CSA introduce you to the best and brightest talent in Northwest Arkansas and best-in-class resources to better manage and grow your Walmart business.
Sincerely,
Cameron Smith