Gemma Kubat

Walmart's associates and tech are working smarter every second. Our associates are leveraging technology more than ever before. We're creating a better customer and associate experience. And, we're removing friction. A grocery delivery arrives 17 minutes after checkout, timed to the minute. An associate finds the exact item a customer needs, without even leaving the aisle. You see a better shopping experience. What you don’t see is the innovation running in the background that my team is proud to be part of delivering: ✅ Algorithms that predict arrival windows before you even hit “order” ✅ Digital twins that catch a store freezer failure before it happens ✅ GenAI tools that guide better interactions ✅ RFID + AR systems that give associates superpowers on the sales floor Read more here: https://walmrt.us/44UEh2W

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At Walmart we’re embracing a future where AI and store associates collaborate, which enhances service, speed and satisfaction in our stores. And we’re doing it at scale. AI is a key enabler in improving how we work. Its full potential is unlocked only when paired with the strengths of our associates. When you put intuitive, accessible technology into the hands of millions of associates, the impact isn’t incremental — it’s transformational. In every facility I visit I love seeing the impact of these tools and hearing about all the ways our teams are getting time back into their day through the use of our associate app called MyWalmart. Our tech tools are built based on associate feedback, and they make life easier for our associates. They eliminate friction, simplify actions and make work more efficient, intuitive and rewarding. Right now, real-time translation is live in all stores, helping teams connect across 44 languages. Intelligent work orchestration and RFID + AR are being piloted in select locations to help prioritize shifts and restock faster. And later this year, GenAI support will help answer more complex questions in the moment. These tools are just one part of our broader investment in associates, alongside better pay, stronger training, and more opportunities to grow. Our associates are huge fans of the incredible work Brooks Forrest and his Associate Tools team are doing. And so am I! Keep up the great work, team! Read more about our AI tools here: https://lnkd.in/gfvnjQPw #RetailTransformation #RetailAI #Innovation #TeamWalmart

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Watching the Walmart U.S. Year Beginning Meeting yesterday morning, I found myself reflecting on the momentum — particularly how AI and digital experiences are accelerating the way we connect with customers. From tools that simplify work to platforms that unlock discovery, AI is reducing friction, speeding up decisions and creating more intuitive experiences in our stores and online. When technology works well, it creates space for better outcomes for both customers and associates. At the same time, Judy Werthauser's reminder resonated. Acceleration only works when culture keeps pace. Associate experience is still built one conversation at a time — on the sales floor, in the back room, after a tough day. And as she shared, those moments don’t stay at work. They show up at the dinner table — in what associates say about their day, their leaders and their future. As leaders, we influence more than performance metrics. We shape trust. Innovation may move us faster, but trust determines whether people choose to grow with us. That’s the balance: ensuring we remain people-led as we become increasingly tech-powered.

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Monday, November 24: 🏬 Kohl's is expected to name Michael Bender as its permanent chief executive officer as early as today. The board interviewed several candidates but decided Bender, who is the interim CEO, was the best fit. 🤖 Amazon has quietly blocked more OpenAI-related bots from crawling Amazon.com, according to updates in its publicly visible robots.txt file. The update marks Amazon’s latest move to ward off AI agents. 🎬 Universal’s Wicked: For Good soared to Number 1 at the weekend box office, earning $150 million domestically and $226 million worldwide — far outpacing its predecessor, Wicked. 🛒 Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage is beginning to see the impacts of a broad consumer pullback. Same-store sales rose 4.2% during its fourth quarter, but management said signs of caution were showing. 💵 Ohioan legislators may soon pass the Currency Access to Spend Here (CASH) bill, which would require businesses and government offices to accept cash for payments up to $500. 💰 For all the hand-wringing over tariffs and a wobbling economy, shoppers are spending where they perceive value as evidenced by strong recent financial results from Walmart, Gap, and TJMaxx. 🇿🇦 Walmart has opened its first store in South Africa, marking its entry into the African market as it targets a competitive landscape. The store also features a sixty-minute online delivery service. 🛍️ Some 186.9 million people are planning to shop in-store and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the National Retail Federation. 🏓 Live shopping platform Whatnot has revealed that 53% of retro and vintage sportswear fans have purchased items through live platforms. 67% follow live shows to find unique or one-of-a-kind vintage items. 🙏🏼 Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe, personal designer to the late Princess Diana who became a fixture at London Fashion Week for four decades, has died aged 80. 👕 KMD Brands Limited, the parent of the Rip Curl, Kathmandu and Oboz businesses worldwide, said sales for the first quarter ended November 2 increased 7.9% year-over-year. 🎄 77% of Gen Z plan to set a holiday budget this year, and half plan to do so with AI, highlighting the generation’s inclination to adopt new strategies to stay within a budget as seasonal spending ramps up. 🍫 Hershey has completed its acquisition of organic snacks brand LesserEvil, a milestone for the food giant as it builds a bigger presence in salty treats and aims to lead the future of snacking. 📦 Some Amazon sellers are reducing or skipping their Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions as tariffs and platform fees squeeze margins. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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In a recent CNBC article, Walmart’s Chief People Officer Donna Morris shared powerful advice for anyone starting a new role: “In the first 90 days, do as much as possible to really understand who you'll be working with, how they work and what's expected.” As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about how we welcome and support new associates, this was a perfect reminder of why onboarding is so much more than a checklist. We’re constantly asking ourselves: 👉 How do we help new hires feel connected? 👉 How do we help hiring managers make expectations clear and actionable? 👉 How do we empower everyone to bring their best selves to work? The first 90 days are a chance to build trust, spark curiosity, and set the tone for long-term success. If you’ve recently joined a new team, or are welcoming someone who has, I’d love to hear what’s made the biggest difference for you. #Onboarding #TeamWalmart

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At Kroger, AI and rapid technological change are reshaping how we support associates and grow our business. True to our values, we’re taking a people‑first approach—expanding access to learning, modernizing our tools and helping associates build the skills needed to serve our customers in new ways.   I’m honored to contribute to Learning Society’s new report, “The Future Is Now: America’s HR & Talent Leads on AI and Learning at Work,” alongside 14 other C-suite leaders from across the country.   Learning has become an essential element of the workplace, and as leaders, it’s our responsibility to continue investing in talent development and enabling our people to navigate continued technological shifts. #WeAreKroger #AI #Leadership #Learning   Read the full report from Anne Trumbore, Eva Sage-Gavin, Allison Wiley and Mitchell Stevens: https://lnkd.in/e2kaCf69

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