Walmart Commits $6 Billion to Expand Symbotic Automation Across 25 U.S. Distribution Centers

Walmart Commits $6 Billion to Expand Symbotic Automation Across 25 U.S. Distribution Centers

Walmart is significantly expanding its use of warehouse automation through a new agreement with Symbotic that includes an initial commitment of approximately $6 billion in spending over several years.

The expanded partnership will bring additional Symbotic automation capabilities to 25 Walmart regional distribution centers across the United States. The companies said the investment is intended to increase storage capacity, improve product flow, strengthen replenishment and support Walmart’s growing e-commerce operations.

The agreement builds on a relationship between Walmart and Symbotic that dates back more than a decade. What began with a more limited automation deployment has grown into a broader supply chain partnership covering multiple parts of Walmart’s distribution network.

As part of the latest expansion, Walmart plans to use Symbotic technology to improve upstream e-commerce inventory management and increase the amount of product that can move through its regional distribution centers. The retailer said the additional automation should help it offer a broader assortment of products while improving the speed and reliability of replenishment across its network.

Symbotic’s platform combines robotics, high-density storage, software and artificial intelligence to manage inventory movement inside large distribution facilities. The company has also expanded its technology beyond traditional case handling with products including its BreakPack each-picking system and SymMicro micro-fulfillment solution.

The scale of the new agreement also gives Symbotic an opportunity to expand further within Walmart’s global supply chain. While the initial commitment centers on 25 U.S. regional distribution centers, both companies said the partnership could support additional projects in other markets over time.

“​​Our partnership with Walmart started with a single product over a decade ago, and now we offer a full end-to-end solution to help power Walmart’s growth across its supply chain for years to come,” Symbotic Chairman and CEO Rick Cohen said in the announcement.

Walmart said the expanded automation effort is part of a broader strategy to serve customers across stores, curbside pickup and home delivery while continuing to lower operating costs and increase supply chain capacity.

The deal represents one of the larger warehouse automation commitments announced in recent years and further highlights how major retailers are investing heavily in robotics, software and AI to increase throughput and reduce friction across increasingly complex fulfillment networks.

Read the full announcement from Symbotic

News Releases | Symbotic Inc.

The Investor Relations website contains information about Symbotic Inc.'s business for stockholders, potential investors, and financial analysts.Symbotic Inc.