Massmart, owner of Game, Builders and Makro, has introduced Walmart’s Global Integrated Fulfillment software to all Makro stores – with plans to expand it to Game stores in the coming months.
The Walmart-developed tech is an order fulfillment software application that digitises and optimises the picking, packing, staging and distribution of online orders.
According to Massmart, adopting this tech will allow the group to leverage Walmart’s years of operating experience in the United States to improve online fulfilment in South Africa.
“Although 80% of Makro orders are already delivered within two days, the use of this type of technology will ultimately, in the near future, enable same/next-day order fulfilment across the group,” it said.
Massmart’s Vice President of Group eCommerce Pickup & Delivery, Merlin Otto, said that this is the group’s latest initiative in its quest to become a leading online destination for local shoppers.
“We have made significant investments to build and grow our e-commerce offering at Massmart,” he said. “Given the growth in 2022 of over 90% across the e-commerce portfolio, our ability to efficiently process higher volumes of orders is a key success factor. We anticipate that the integration of the system into our business will enable shorter lead times for online orders.”
Massmart said that some of the key benefits of Walmart technology include:
- Automated, real-time visibility of new orders for store fulfilment teams;
- Configuration of optimal paths for picking orders based on factors like efficiency, product locations and the customer’s chosen fulfilment option; and
- The addition of product images on orders, enabling easier identification of products on shelf.
The rollout across Makro stores was completed last month, with Massmart noting order pick rates have increased by as much as 150% since implementation, and there has been an overall 40% reduction in total order processing time.
“Following the rapid improvements seen at Makro, the focus has now moved to implementing the technology at Game Stores,” it said.
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