Compiled 22 October, updated 27 October 2025
Walmart’s efficiency drive to regain productivity and better manage merchandise has accelerated:
Walmart is partnering with data company Wiliot to deploy millions of Internet of Things (IoT) environmental sensors across the retail giant’s vast supply chain in a move that should improve efficiency, inventory accuracy and cold chain compliance by feeding data to the retailer’s artificial intelligence systems.
Wiliot’s IoT pixels are being used to track Walmart pallets on a large scale, with the goal of reaching 90 million by the end of 2026. This initiative is one of the largest environmental IoT deployments to date, providing a new source of supply chain data for Walmart’s expanding use of AI.
The collaboration isreportedly already having a significant impact by eliminating manual tasks and providing automated alerts. This allows Walmart associates to act quickly, make smarter decisions and spend more time serving customers. Increased visibility has also helped resolve inventory discrepancies, ensuring smoother operations and improving customer experiences.
The sensors use Bluetooth connections to send data on the location, condition, dwell time and temperature of pallets that may contain packaged dry goods or fresh produce. Walmart began deploying Wiliot’s sensors in a Texas warehouse in 2023 and now uses them in 500 locations. Full deployment will reach its US shop network and 40 distribution centres. Walmart previously relied on manual scanning and checks by employees, sometimes with a pen and paper, a spokesperson said.
Walmart has invested heavily in automating operations, especially in its supply chain. It has also implemented artificial intelligence in tasks ranging from loading trucks to assisting shoppers. Sensor technology “provides a new stream of real-time data that will feed directly into our artificial intelligence systems” to achieve “precision decision-making,” he said. Walmart said it plans to keep staffing roughly stable. Asked how technology could affect staffing, the company said it was focused on “removing monotonous tasks from as many roles as possible” (of its 1.6 million employees in the US).
Walmart has set a new benchmark for food innovation by partnering with Avery Dennison to solve one of the toughest problems in food retailing: how to digitally track freshness in the perimeter.
In a unique collaboration with Walmart announced today, Avery Dennison has developed a revolutionary RFID sensor technology capable of operating in high humidity and cold environments such as meat cases, a breakthrough long considered impossible. The new solution gives all items in the meat, bakery and deli departments a digital identity, enabling shop associates to monitor freshness, rotate products more efficiently and make smarter markdown decisions while reducing food waste and improving shelf availability.
Walmart also has a partnership with ChatGPT. It should be noted that Amazon will replace 500,000 workers with robots and relaunch with help me decide
