How Walmart Pulled Off the Impossible: Beating Amazon at Its Own Game

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Amazon dominates e-commerce, right? Not so fast. Walmart has quietly (and sometimes loudly) outmanoeuvred the retail giant in ways most competitors couldn’t. While others crumbled under Amazon’s pressure, Walmart leaned into its strengths—turning physical stores into digital powerhouses, optimizing logistics, and doubling down on customer loyalty.

Here’s how Walmart cracked the code and gave Amazon a real fight.


1. Turning Stores into a Competitive Advantage

Walmart’s biggest asset isn’t just its brand—it’s the sheer number of stores. Instead of treating them as liabilities in a digital world, Walmart transformed them into fulfillment centers. This move allowed customers to buy online and pick up in-store, process returns more conveniently, and get faster delivery from local distribution points.


2. Winning E-Commerce Without Losing Its Identity

Walmart didn’t try to become Amazon overnight. Instead, it played to its strengths while acquiring expertise where needed. The acquisition of Jet.com gave Walmart a digital boost, while partnerships with companies like Google helped it enter voice commerce. At the same time, Walmart revamped its website and mobile app to create a seamless shopping experience.


3. Supercharging Logistics to Keep Up With Amazon

Amazon’s logistics dominance is hard to match, but Walmart has made impressive strides. Investments in same-day and next-day delivery have put it in direct competition with Prime, while innovations in last-mile delivery—including using its own store associates—have helped Walmart close the gap.


4. Price Leadership Remains Walmart’s Trump Card

Walmart built its empire on low prices, and that hasn’t changed. The company leverages its massive scale and supplier relationships to maintain some of the most competitive prices in retail. Whether it’s groceries, household essentials, or electronics, Walmart consistently undercuts Amazon where it matters.


5. Owning the Grocery Game

While Amazon has struggled to crack the grocery sector, Walmart dominates. Its vast store network gives it a massive edge in fresh food, bulk goods, and perishables—categories where Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods are still playing catch-up. Walmart has also expanded its online grocery delivery and pickup services, ensuring it stays ahead.


6. Elevating Customer Experience

Walmart understands that winning customers isn’t just about price—it’s about convenience. Store layouts have been modernized, self-checkout is now faster, and online shopping has been fine-tuned to feel effortless. A strong return policy and customer service both in-store and online reinforce trust, making Walmart an easy choice for shoppers.


7. Walmart+ Challenges Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is a major reason why customers stay loyal to Amazon, so Walmart launched its own membership program: Walmart+. It offers free delivery on orders over $35, fuel discounts, and a streamlined in-store shopping experience. While it doesn’t yet match Prime’s full suite of services, it’s positioned as a strong value-driven alternative.


8. Expanding Its Digital Marketplace

To compete with Amazon’s vast product selection, Walmart expanded its marketplace, allowing third-party sellers to list products. While Amazon still dominates in scale, Walmart’s marketplace has grown rapidly, giving customers more options without Walmart having to manage all the inventory.


9. Using AI and Automation to Stay Ahead

Walmart has invested heavily in artificial intelligence and automation to streamline operations and improve customer experience. From predictive demand forecasting to personalized recommendations, Walmart is using tech to enhance both its digital and in-store business.


10. A Brand Built on Trust and Affordability

Walmart’s reputation for low prices, reliability, and convenience gives it an edge over Amazon, particularly for shoppers who still value the in-store experience or need immediate access to products. While Amazon wins on selection and Prime benefits, Walmart has built a level of trust with customers that’s hard to replicate.


Final Takeaway

While Amazon remains a force in e-commerce, Walmart has successfully evolved to compete—without trying to become Amazon. By integrating digital innovation with its unmatched physical presence, Walmart has carved out a space where it can thrive. The battle isn’t over, but one thing is clear: Walmart has proved that retail isn’t just about who started online first—it’s about who adapts best.

 

 

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In June 2020, Wirecard AG, once a celebrated German fintech company, collapsed after revealing that €1.9 billion was missing from its accounts, a sum that likely never existed. [1] This event marked one of Europe's most significant corporate frauds, highlighting critical lessons for SMEs and scale-ups about the importance of internal controls and independent audits. How The Fintech Giant Crumbled Under Scrutiny Founded in 1999, Wirecard grew rapidly to become a leading player in the digital payments industry. By 2018, it was valued at €22–24 billion and had secured a spot on Germany’s prestigious DAX 30 index. [2] Its share price soared from €17 in 2013 to a peak of €135 in 2018 [3] , reflecting strong investor confidence. Yet beneath this apparent success lay an intricate web of fraud. A series of investigations that took place between 2018 and 2020 revealed that Wirecard had been inflating its revenue and assets through fictitious transactions and non-existent cash balances. 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Sources: [1] https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/wirecard-whistleblower-tipped-german-watchdog-in-early-2019 [2] https://www.reprisk.com/insights/case-studies/wirecard [3] https://leap.luiss.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WP5.21-The-Wirecard-scandal-and-the-role-of-Bafin.pdf [4] https://www.wirecard.com/uploads/Bericht_Sonderpruefung_KPMG_EN_200501_Disclaimer.pdf [5] https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53132953 [6] https://leap.luiss.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WP5.21-The-Wirecard-scandal-and-the-role-of-Bafin.pdf [7] https://www.aidf.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wirecard-The-Rise-and-Fall-of-a-Fintech-Giant-in-Asia-BT.pdf [8] https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/18/wirecard-shares-plummet-as-payments-firm-postpones-annual-report.html [9] https://www.ig.com/sg/news-and-trade-ideas/how-wirecard-erased-nearly-all-of-its-market-cap-in-one-week-200626 [10] https://www.mcmillanwoods.com/2024/04/16/german-watchdog-finds-eys-wirecard-audits-grossly-negligent/