Walmart Inc. is requiring its U.S.-based suppliers to adopt new app-based software that will let them see and use more sales and inventory data.
Walmart Luminate, developed by Walmart Data Ventures and an outside marketing research firm in 2021, replaces an older app called Decision Support System. Suppliers must switch to Luminate by March 1.
A basic version is now available to Walmart's vendors as a free subscription. A paid "Charter" version offers more resources such as access to best-practices guides and a catalog of training courses.
According to the Walmart Luminate website, the software is a new suite of data products that give U.S.-based merchants and suppliers "unprecedented access to rich, aggregated customer insights that enable smarter, faster decision making."
Walmart personnel will see the same data that's available to suppliers through Luminate. Merchandising teams will use the data for assortment optimization as well as category reviews and planning. The brand, insights and shopper marketing teams will use it for category and channel strategy and marketing planning.