Walmart Overtakes Apple to Become Third Largest Online Retailer in U.S.

[MacRumors]

Apple has ceded its position to Walmart as the third largest online retailer in the U.S., according to a new report out this week (via TechCrunch).

Research provider eMarketer Retail calculates that Walmart is set to capture 4 percent of all online retail spending in 2018, up from 3.3 percent the previous year, while Apple will claim a 3.9 percent share, up from 3.8 percent in 2017.

Walmart, which includes Sam's Club and Jet.com, will see its sales total $20.91 billion by the end of the year, thanks to a 39.4 percent increase in e-commerce. In contrast, Apple's online sales will grow by 18 percent this year, a slowdown attributed to declining domestic smartphone sales.

Importantly, Walmart has one of the fastest growing ecommerce businesses. This year, its online sales will grow 39.4%. Wayfair, an online-only retailer, beats it slightly with a 40.1% growth rate. Meanwhile, Apple will grow just over 18% this year--less than last year-- as domestic sales for smartphones and other consumer electronic devices begin to slow down. Its ecommerce share will remain virtually unchanged at 3.9% this year.

Both companies still trail first-placed Amazon, which is set to command a whopping 48 percent share of all e-commerce sales, up from 43.1 percent the previous year. Amazon will take in more than $252.10 billion domestically this year, according to eMarketer. eBay meanwhile remains in second place, with a 7.2 percent share of all online retail sales, down from 7.6 percent.

Article Link: Walmart Overtakes Apple to Become Third Largest Online Retailer in U.S.

 

[camperboy]

I think Apple need more overpriced stuff, higher price for old hardware etc. By increasing the price Apple will back on the 1st place again.

But seriously, maybe people finally understood the hardware what Apple offer is not worth the price.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Walmart has gotten serious about changing for the future. Pushing online and getting into grocery delivery. They won't concede to Amazon or become the next Sears.

 

[scrapesleon]

Apple need a change in leadership

 

[entropys]

Well at last make prices within the ball park of competitor products. I can’t recmmend Apple at these prices, no matter how pretty.

 

[Dustin Lenzz]

Apple need a change in leadership

...???...
Yeah, all right, okay...
Like who then, John Sculley?? Wonder what he’s doing now?? Or maybe Gil Amelio, lol...

 

[fairuz]

I think Apple need more overpriced stuff, higher price for old hardware etc. By increasing the price Apple will back on the 1st place again.

But seriously, maybe people finally understood the hardware what Apple offer is not worth the price.

Apple's online sales market share went up, not down. Walmart's just went up more.
[doublepost=1542482514][/doublepost]

Well at last make prices within the ball park of competitor products. I can’t recmmend Apple at these prices, no matter how pretty.

How about the competitors make their products nicer at the same price?

 

[Arty6]

**** Walmart

 

[X--X]

Apple need a change in leadership

...???...
Yeah, all right, okay...
Like who then, John Sculley??

John Sculley did exactly the same as Tim Cook is doing.

MAXIMIZING profits, HUGE stock gains, but completely ignoring any innovation and running Apple without any vision at all, especially in terms of software. Sorry but that is the truth.

Let's take a look at how SCULLEY did when Jobs left Apple in the 80s

 

[Kaibelf]

I think Apple need more overpriced stuff, higher price for old hardware etc. By increasing the price Apple will back on the 1st place again.

But seriously, maybe people finally understood the hardware what Apple offer is not worth the price.

Or maybe Walmart just sells thousands of other brands as well?

 

[anthonymoody]

Just in case it wasn’t clear how dominant Amazon is.
[doublepost=1542483796][/doublepost]Just in case it wasn’t clear how dominant Amazon is.

 

[sblemmy]

John Sculley did exactly the same as Tim Cook is doing.

MAXIMIZING profits, HUGE stock gains, but completely ignoring any innovation and running Apple without any vision at all, especially in terms of software. Sorry but that is the truth.

Tim Cook's been pretty clear about his vision for Apple: stabilize revenue by decreasing reliance on "blockbuster" products and increasing revenue from services. Apple's also pushing consumer technology in the healthcare space.

To this end, we've gotten some interesting software/hardware combinations:

TouchID/FaceID for Apple Pay
Apple Music and HomePod
Apple Watch w/ heart rate monitoring, fall detection, and soon ECG.

We can argue about the varying degree of success Apple has had in these (and other of) TC's initiatives, but the vision is clearly there.

 

[rmoliv]

This year's price spike is taking its toll.

 

[Dustin Lenzz]

John Sculley did exactly the same as Tim Cook is doing.

MAXIMIZING profits, HUGE stock gains, but completely ignoring any innovation and running Apple without any vision at all, especially in terms of software. Sorry but that is the truth.

Let's take a look at how SCULLEY did when Jobs left Apple in the 80s

So... Apple supposedly doesn’t ‘innovate’ every millisecond, yet they spent $14.2 Billion on R&D for the 2018 fiscal year... Must have been on how to raise prices across the board while offering only ‘incremental’ upgrades...
I mean, it’s not like the design language of the iPhone X/XS/XS Max hasn’t been utilized :cough:copied:cough: by ANY of their competitors, while also not offering their versions of the Face ID/TrueDepth camera system...
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/05/apple-2018-form-10-k-highlights/

 

[rafark]

God dang it amazon is killin it!

 

[TantalizedMind]

Home Depot outsells Target online?...

 

[now i see it]

 and Walmart have nothing in common except that they both sell stuff online. As do millions of other companies. Stupid statistic.
A very relevant stat for comparison is Walmart & Amazon which was mentioned. That's the real war right there. (As if any consumer cares)...

 

[Mjearl]

Let's not forget a few details before the usual putdowns. First off, why do we care? Were not the folks making all the money. Second, Walmart sells everything including Apple products, Amazon sells more than everything including Apple products, eBay sells anything and everything including Apple products, Apple sells, well, Apple products. So, not surprised the largest consumer retailer who recently added 2 day shipping at no cost to squeak past Apple in online sales. Really?? LOL

 

[brinary001]

I mean it's easy for companies that sell anything and everything (Walmart, eBay, Amazon) to lead the pack, but for Apple to even be on there at all given that they only sell their own rather pricey devices is impressive.

 

[KrisLord]

I’m in the UK so don’t know the US market that well, but I’m surprised Apple are so high.

They mainly sell their own stuff, at a high margin
The comparison is against a supermarket, selling food and stuff we all need at low margin

Id have put Walmart much higher - is home delivery not a thing for US shopping?

Also, how high is amazon!!

 

[TMRJIJ]

I think Apple need more overpriced stuff, higher price for old hardware etc. By increasing the price Apple will back on the 1st place again.

But seriously, maybe people finally understood the hardware what Apple offer is not worth the price.

Or it could be because
Walmart offers more products in its’ retail?
Sales for devices like Smartphones are starting to decrease?

Charts show Apple online sales are still increasing... so no. Has nothing to do with your distaste for their hardware.

 

[mikethemartian]

...???...
Yeah, all right, okay...
Like who then, John Sculley?? Wonder what he’s doing now?? Or maybe Gil Amelio, lol...

Actually Gil Amelio did a lot to save Apple. He had to deal with a lot more adverse conditions than Tim Cook has as CEO.

 

[pika2000]

The fact that Apple even on the list astounded me. I mean the rest of the list sells everything down to the kitchen sink (literally for Home Depot). Apple only sells Apple products and their accessories. Quite mind boggling if one thinks about it.

 

[Kaibelf]

Actually Gil Amelio did a lot to save Apple. He had to deal with a lot more adverse conditions than Tim Cook has as CEO.

I recall Tim sheparding Apple through that whole period where SJ got a transplant and was in and out of the CEO role multiple times due to health concerns. That was pretty difficult because not only was Apple’s success in question but he was also losing a personal friend in a long and drawn out way.

 

[CWallace]

Without the "price spike" revenue growth likely would have been less than the 18% than it was.

And even with an almost 40% revenue spike, Wal-Mart could only pull ahead by .01% overall.