Wal-Mart's start-up incubator Store No 8 wants to find the next big technology that will disrupt the retail industry not in the next few years, but in the next few *decades*.
Co-founder Katie Finnegan joined Cheddar to discuss the business's mission.
"What we're trying to do is incubate new ideas that are generally being driven by emerging technologies," she said. "Things that are may be too nascent for the 160 million or so Americans we, Wal-mart, serve every week, but that we believe, when it becomes a viable operational reality, will have a material step-change impact."
Among those technologies: virtual reality. Store No 8 recently held an "Innovate" event in Los Angeles highlighting those advancements. Finnegan says VR will "really change the game in terms of merchandising".
While the subsidiary aims to create businesses that will eventually be acquired by the retail giant, it also knows there could be third party options.
"We have discussed that some of these things might have revenue streams outside of [Wal-Mart] and we would definitely be open to that."
Finnegan calls Store No 8 a "unicorn opportunity" for entrepreneurs. The company recently acquired Bart Stein and the team over at Wim Yogurt. It's planning at least two more acquisitions by the end of the year.
To watch the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/wal-mart-and-the-future-of-retail).
Lukas Alpert of MarketWatch explores how networks, brands, and ad buyers absorb the shockwaves when late‑night show hosts are suddenly cut — and brought back.
A new poll finds U.S. adults are more likely than they were a year ago to think immigrants in the country legally benefit the economy. That comes as President Donald Trump's administration imposes new restrictions targeting legal pathways into the country. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey finds Americans are more likely than they were in March 2024 to say it’s a “major benefit” that people who come to the U.S. legally contribute to the economy and help American companies get the expertise of skilled workers. At the same time, perceptions of illegal immigration haven’t shifted meaningfully. Americans still see fewer benefits from people who come to the U.S. illegally.
Shares of Tylenol maker Kenvue are bouncing back sharply before the opening bell a day after President Donald Trump promoted unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism. Trump told pregnant women not to use the painkiller around a dozen times during the White House news conference Monday. The drugmaker tumbled 7.5%. Shares have regained most of those losses early Tuesday in premarket trading.
Scott Trench, host of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, explores how recent rate cuts, high borrowing costs, and mortgage rates are reshaping U.S. real estate.
A look into how disruption, AI, and global economic trends are transforming the modern supply chain with Jeremy Jansen, Head of Supply Chain at Wells Fargo.
Delta CSO Amelia DeLuca reveals at the Fast Co. Innovation Festival how tech, sustainable aviation fuel, and smart operations are revolutionizing air travel.
