Will Wal-Mart’s Digital Services Be the Growth Driver it Hopes For?

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. touted the future of online offerings at its annual shareholder meeting, but analysts offer mixed reactions for how much impact this digital push will ultimately make on the retailer’s results. Wal-Mart  announced on Friday that it will pilot a new program this month through Lyft and Uber that will deliver groceries in Phoenix and Denver. Sam’s Club began testing a similar program with Deliv in Miami in March. The retailer also focused on its online grocery pickup service, which is adding new markets in June, including New Orleans, Little Rock, Ark., and Pensacola, Fla. Wal-Mart is also doubling the number of stores offering the service in four markets, including Charleston, S.C. and Nashville, Tenn.