Have you ever found yourself curious about what makes Walmart so efficient and able to keep up with its customers’ demands? Walmart created Walmart Labs to harness the power of technology and data to make shopping faster and better for everyone.
But, you probably still have some questions about Walmart Labs. For example, what is Walmart Labs, and what does it do? Look no further for the answers because I researched the topic, so you don’t have to!
Key Takeaways
Walmart Labs In 2022
Walmart Labs is divided into several teams that focus on specific areas of innovation in data analytics and technology. It’s responsible for the production of Walmart-associated apps like Vudu. Additionally, Walmart owns Walmart Labs, based in Sunnyvale, California, as of 2022.
What Are Walmart Labs?
When Walmart Labs were created, the company wanted to use technology to make shopping better for customers.
As retail has changed, Walmart has taken steps to keep up with the competition.
Formerly known as Kosmix, Walmart Labs produces high-quality websites and apps for Walmart and Sam’s Club like Vudu and Oneops.
Does Walmart Own Walmart Labs?
Yes, Walmart owns Walmart Labs, along with several other companies, to help it innovate the shopping experience in the store.
After Walmart purchased Kosmix from founders Venky Harinarayan and Anand Rajaraman in 2011, the two quickly left the company the following year.
Following that, Walmart acquired Inkiru, a company specializing in predictive analytics, in 2013.
In the summer of 2018, 2,000 jobs were added for its eCommerce team to improve its online grocery shopping platform.
Finally, in 2019, Walmart acquired a health tech startup and wholesale trading platform to help bolster customer service.
Why Did Walmart Create Walmart Labs?
Walmart Labs is a vital part of Walmart’s strategy to improve customer experience with digital innovations.
Initially, the focus was on rebuilding the acquired search engine, developing a new platform, and improving social media.
Over time, Walmart determined that the original focus areas could be further developed into target teams with specific roles.
Customer Technology
Established to serve customers throughout their shopping journey, the Customer Technology team at Walmart aims to provide a satisfying shopping experience.
Regardless of the method, either in-store or digital shopping, the Customer Technology team assists in the entire process.
Merchant Technology
Walmart Labs’ Merchant Technology team is on a mission to help merchants grow their businesses and offer the customer the best experience possible.
Through its technology, merchants can quickly search inventory, order stock, fulfill orders, and compare product pricing, enabling merchants to manage stores efficiently.
Supply Chain Technology
Providing customers with their orders quickly while being cost-effective is the goal of the Supply Chain Technology team.
That said, the Supply Chain Technology team members oversee scalable, agile, and flexible technology that powers hundreds of distribution and fulfillment centers.
Therefore, this technology gives drivers and partners the tools to deliver items to customers on time.
Global Cloud
Through Walmart’s Cloud Computing Program (codenamed Strati), Cloud capabilities are provided for Walmart globally.
Put another way, Walmart’s Global Cloud allows workload automation that facilitates innovations and increases capabilities for business partners.
Global Data And Analytics
Walmart’s Global Data and Analytics team is a group of data-driven thinkers who ensure that Walmart’s decisions are data-driven, wiser, and increasingly automated.
Additionally, this diverse team covers the following areas:
- Analytics and visualization
- Algorithmic products
- Machine learning technology
- Data foundations
Business Engagement And Strategy
Finally, Walmart’s Business Engagement and Strategy team helped steer the end-to-end delivery of the Walmart Labs technology portfolio.
Further, these team members define the overall strategic direction, partner with the business to prioritize initiatives, and coordinate technology capabilities across US and India-based engineering resources.
Where Are Walmart Labs Located?
According to LinkedIn, Walmart Labs’ headquarters is in Sunnyvale, California, and the offices are open 24 hours a day.
So, if you’re in the neighborhood and want to stop by, the address is:
860 W California Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
What Careers Can You Find At Walmart Labs?
If you’re interested in a career in technology, Walmart Labs could be the right place for you.
That said, Walmart Labs offers a variety of opportunities for people to work in technology, including data scientists, software engineers, and more!
Data Scientist
As a data scientist, you’ll have the opportunity to apply predictive modeling to improve Walmart’s customer experiences.
Also, you’ll have a chance to use your data to find solutions to the company’s problems.
Software Engineer
As a software engineer, you have the opportunity to develop new products from scratch, from mobile apps to new marketing campaigns.
Also, you get the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies and learn from other top engineers.
Marketing
However, if you’re more of a marketing major, you can work in marketing strategy and business development at Walmart Labs.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge marketing campaigns and products for Walmart’s customers.
How Do You Apply For A Job At Walmart Labs?
If you’re ready to start a new career, Walmart Labs makes it easy to apply for a job in a couple of different ways.
You can find many Walmart Lab positions on its LinkedIn page, where you can easily apply with your LinkedIn profile and saved resume.
Walmart Careers Webpage
Additionally, you can find current job openings on the Walmart Careers webpage. That said, once you navigate to this page, type “Technology” in the search bar.
After doing this, the page lists all Walmart Lab positions under the Sunnyvale location, so click the magnifying glass to pull up all openings.
Next, click on the job you want to apply for to review the job description.
With that, all positions are senior-level roles and have work experience and education requirements associated with the job.
After reviewing the qualifications, applicants need to set up an applicant profile or log in to an existing profile and submit the required application and resume.
To learn more, you can also see our posts on Walmart robots, Walmart & Ibotta, and Walmart asset protection associate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Walmart recognized that it needed to consistently introduce new technology to remain competitive in the retail industry, which led to the creation of Walmart Labs.
Over time, it expanded to include Walmart’s eCommerce and store technology teams.
Further, Walmart Labs’ goal is to harness technology, data, and design to create the world’s leading retail platform.