Walmart Store Count Lags as E-commerce Surges Ahead

Walmart's US comparable store sales growth has slowed to its lowest pace in six years, at just 2.6%. This is a stark contrast to its peers, such as Target, which saw a 3.6% increase last quarter.

The retail giant operates 4,615 stores across the US, only slightly more than it did a decade ago when the number was 4,516. Meanwhile, Amazon's revenue has tripled over the same period, with its e-commerce business surging ahead.

Walmart claims that 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of one of its stores, but this may be an overly optimistic view. The company has a significant presence in certain states, such as Arkansas, which boasts 113 stores, while others have far fewer locations. For example, New York has just 98 Walmart stores.

As the retail landscape continues to shift towards e-commerce, it's surprising that Walmart hasn't reduced its store count over the past decade, especially given Amazon's rapid growth. In fact, retailers with weak numbers often close underperforming stores, but Walmart seems to be bucking this trend.