From PC Mag: Walmart has setup a new subsidiary called Code Eight, and the two services it is currently testing show the retail giant is keen to expand the customer base it appeals to. In particular, to consumers who have more money to spend, so-called "high net worth urban consumers."
The first new service Code Eight is testing involves acting as a personal shopper for "busy NYC moms." As Recode reports, this is a personal shopping experience aimed at rich city dwellers where communication is handled via text message. The idea being you can text an order as well as receive product recommendations based on non-specific requests. Photos can also be sent and the personal shopper will see if Walmart has a suitable product available.
Once an order is finalized, delivery will take place for free within 24 hours if the products qualify as household items. Otherwise delivery is within two business days. Got something to return? It will be collected for free from your home. As this service involves a personal shopper, I suspect it will also include the ability to have the order left inside your home.
The second new service will probably sound familiar. It's called Project Kepler and it involves setting up new stores that don't have any checkouts or cashiers. Instead, payment will be handled automatically based on what you pick up and take out of the store. This sounds like an almost exact copy of the Amazon Go grocery store concept, only Walmart-branded.
Personal shoppers, free delivery and pick-up returns, and stores without checkouts sound expensive to run, so you won't be surprised to hear that Walmart is planning to charge a membership fee when these services do eventually go live. Depending on how high that fee is, it's sure to be a tempting proposition for the richer consumers out there (if they don't mind shopping at Walmart).
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