FedEx Office, a division of FedEx Corp. and Walmart announced yesterday that FedEx Office will be bringing its small-format stores to print, pack, and ship into 500 Walmart stores across the country over the next 24 months. After a successful pilot program that covered 47 locations in Walmart stores across six US states, the announcement is made. Walmart-based FedEx Office locations allow customers to send their packages to any Walmart FedEx Office location. They can do printing, packing, and shipping for up to five days. There will be the ability to process returns. Walmart recently conducted a survey of its customers to find that shipping and packaging were the most desired services.

Total Retail’s Take: This seems like a smart move for both companies. Walmart will be able to compete with Amazon.com by emphasizing its capabilities as an “one-stop shop”. Walmart’s partnership with FedEx will help to reduce the burden on last-mile delivery, which Target and Amazon are also focusing on. Amazon has, for instance, started placing pickup lockers in Whole Foods and malls. Target recently purchased Grand Junction, and Shipt in order to improve its supply chain. Walmart also discovered in the pilot that FedEx customers are shopping in their stores after visiting FedEx first, which helped boost foot traffic. FedEx is now investing in expanding its retail presence throughout the U.S. FedEx already has drop-off and pick-up locations in many retailers, including Walgreens and Kroger.

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source https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/fedex-to-open-small-format-shops-in-500-walmart-stores/

Amazon Considers Buying Some Empty Toys”R”Us Shops

Amazon.com is said to be considering purchasing some vacant Toys”R”Us stores. Fortune reports as it expands its brick and mortar footprint in the country, Amazon.com is reportedly looking into the possibility of purchasing some Toys”R”Us stores. These stores will reportedly be used by Amazon to display its Echo devices. Amazon recently invested in brick-and mortar stores. This was highlighted by Whole Foods’ $13 billion acquisition last year.

Total Retail’s View: It’s obvious that Amazon, the major e-commerce player that drove Toys”R”Us out, is looking to expand its physical store footprint through the purchase of leases for some vacant toy stores. It’s interesting to see how Amazon will use these storefronts. Hubs to buy online and pick up in-store As distribution centers? Are there new Amazon Go locations? Amazon seems committed to expanding its brick-and mortar business. This move would be a testament to that commitment.

source https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/amazon-is-considering-buying-some-empty-toys-r-us-stores/