Walmart Tops Views, Raises Outlook As E-Commerce and Grocery Sales Drive Growth

May 18, 2021

3 min Read

Tucson, AZ July 21, 2019: Walmart Store Building Sign.

YuniqueB / Shutterstock.com

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

Walmart raised its full-year outlook Tuesday after cruising past first-quarter earnings expectations. The big-box retailer benefited from a strong e-commerce performance and robust grocery sales.

See: Walmart Invests in GM Self-Driving Cruise, Pilot Delivery Program in DevelopmentFind: Which States Have the Lowest Gas Prices Right Now?

Adjusted earnings for the quarter came in at $1.69 a share, CNBC reported, which topped consensus analyst estimates of $1.21. Walmart posted overall revenue of $138.31 billion vs. estimates of $131.97 billion. The company’s stock price climbed more than 4% in pre-market trading Tuesday.

In a statement on Walmart’s Q1 earnings release, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company is particularly upbeat now that more consumers are returning to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.

“Every segment performed well, and we’re encouraged by traffic and grocery market share trends,” McMillon said. “Our optimism is higher than it was at the beginning of the year. In the U.S., customers clearly want to get out and shop.”

See: 25 Secret Money Traps at Target, Walmart and Other Big-Box StoresFind: Nearly Half of Seniors Expect to Work After Retirement — But There Might Be a Better Option

Here are some of the key takeaways from the quarter:

eCommerce sales grew 37% from the prior year, with strong results across all channels. eCommerce sales have more than doubled over the last two years.
Walmart U.S. comparable-store sales climbed 6%, thanks in part to market share gains in the grocery business.
Sam’s Club comp sales rose 7.2% year-over-year, with the brand’s eCommerce sales climbing 47%.
Walmart International net sales declined 8.3% from a year earlier even as eCommerce sales increased 49%. Net sales were negatively impacted by $4.2 billion related to recent divestitures.
The company raised its outlook for the current quarter and full year, saying that it expects EPS and Walmart U.S.’s operating income to increase in the high single-digits. It maintained its guidance that Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club same-store sales will grow in the low single-digits, excluding fuel and tobacco.

Today's Top Offers

Walmart officials are expected to update progress on the company’s Walmart+ subscription service in later comments, CNBC reported on Monday. The service launched in September, but Walmart has yet to share subscriber numbers. The subscription plan is considered an important piece of Walmart’s growth as the retailer tries to ward off competition from Amazon Prime.

More From GOBankingRates