American retailer Walmart has announced the signing of a definitive agreement of acquisition with fulfilment and e-grocery automation company Alert Innovation.
Alert Innovation claims to have been working with Walmart to customise technology for the grocery giant’s market fulfilment centres (MFCs) since 2016, with pilots of the company’s Alphabot System in Walmart’s first MFC in Salem dating back to 2019.
The robot company has said it will continue to operate under the Alert Innovation brand and be based in the Boston area.
John Lert, founder and executive chairman of Alert Innovation, said: “Our mission to improve people’s lives through innovation will now be dedicated to Walmart customers and associates which is an inspiring undertaking.”
David Guggina, senior vice president of innovation and automation at Walmart, said: “Bringing the best of Alert’s technology and capabilities in-house will enable us to reach more customers quicker by deploying MFCs with greater speed, providing both an unmatched shopping experience and a competitive advantage in omnichannel fulfilment.”
What’s more, the acquisition represents a strengthening of the retailer’s commitment to an automated supply chain and follows what Walmart reports as years of substantial investments in technology and infrastructure across its operations.
